SDR’s
€ 20 SDR Receiver
Original ppt by Edgar KC2UEZ, updated by PA3GJM Hans Vreeswijk
How this cheap SDR works?
 Input from an antenna is down sampled,
filtered by The E4000 tunerchip and
passed to an analog to digital converter
(RTL2832U) the output is then sent to the
computer by USB.
 All filtering, demodulation and other
processing is done by the computer.
 Audible output is then played back on the
computer speakers.
What you need?
 Computer with 1.0 GHz+ CPU
 USB Tuner based on RTL2832U chip
 Antenna
 Special Drivers (ZADIG)
 Software
 SDRSharp ( SDR#)
Compatible USB Devices
Mine came from: http://s.dealextreme.com/search/44326
Software - Drivers
Installation:
 Insert the USB tuner on a free USB port. Do not install anything from the CD
and let windows install drivers from Microsoft (they will be replaced later).
 Download the Zadig drivers from this location:
http://rtlsdr.org/softwarewindows
 Decompress and run the Zadig.exe file
Software – Drivers
 Click on Option and select “List All Devices”
 Choose the one that says “Bulk-In, Interface (Interface 0)”. This should be the
primary endpoint of your RTL device.
Software – Drivers
 In the box to the right of the green arrow make sure “WinUSB” is chosen not libusb or libusbk. The big button underneath will say “Replace Driver” or
“Reinstall Driver”. Before you proceed make sure the USBID matches the
VID/PID in the hardware table.
Software – SDRSharp
 Download the latest development version of SDR# from http://sdrsharp.com
 Unzip it to a folder – There is no installer which is nice for a change.
 Run SDRSharp.exe and you should see the following window.
!!!
Software Update
!!!
 Warning: since begin august SDR Sharp does not have a
complete download anymore, The parts have to be
downloaded separately.
 On http://www.vandijkenelektronica.nl/ the original complete
version (sdrsharp-100500.zip) can be downloaded.
 The required Zadig driver is available on
http://sourceforge.net/projects/libwdi/files/zadig/ I am using
v2.0.1.154 because a newer version did not work.
Software – SDRSharp
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Set Radio to WFM (wideband FM)
Set the 'Front End' type from 'Other' to 'RTLSDR / RTL2382U'
Set the center frequency to (88,000,000) This is 88MHz.
If all is working the 'Front End' button should go from grey text to black text.
Click on Play.
Source of information
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RTLsdr: http://rtlsdr.org/
osmocomSDR: http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr
SDRSharp: http://sdrsharp.com/
GNURadio: http://gnuradio.org
RTL Source: http://wiki.spench.net/wiki/Gr-baz
E4000 Tuner Chip
Additional information SDR #
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Receives radio signals between about 65 and 1700 MHz.
Handles AM, NFM, WFM, LSB, USB, DSB an CW
Frequency calibration possible.
Filter and bandwith adjustment possible.
Adjustable squelch.
Adjustable volume.
Selection of frequency grid.
Spectrum view and waterfall view
Max 2 MHz displayable ( f.i. complete 2 meter band)
Including air traffic control, military, maritime, certain satellite
based services including navigation, and so forth.
 Some signals in the preceeding list will be encrypted; others
merely digitally encoded.
 Amateur radio, weather, and most maritime services will be in
the clear.
 With proper software, most of the signals received by these
$20 SDRs can be demodulated / decoded / decrypted
immediately.
Warning / Limitations
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Do not install the original DVB-T software
No pre- selector present
Susceptible for nearby transmission (signal overload)
Delivered antenna and Remote control of no practical use
The Receiption frequency can be off for a few KHz. Before use
calibration has to be done (software, very EZ)
Decoding digital signals
 Install Virtual Audio Cable software to re-route RTL2832U audio
to the local soundcard
 AGWPE
 UIView (APRS)
 PDW ( POCSAC, P2000, ACARS )
 DSC ( ATIS, AIS, Diff GPS, Navtex)
 EASYPAL ( digital SSTV )
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Questions ?
Thank’s for your attention
Hans Vreeswijk
PA3GJM