(Part 2) Best products from r/RTLSDR

> I read 3/8 inch wire is optimal, does it matter if it is solid or stranded?

Doesn't particularly matter, the wider the conductor is relative to the target wavelength you will get some more broadbanded response from the antenna (warning this is a generalization) but other than that it won't affect anything. I'd use 3/8 copper plumbing over 3/8 wire if I had to go with that gauge. #14 speaker wire and tape measures are what I primarily use for antennas.

Stranded is better if it is exposed to high winds and isn't rigidly tied to a structure as it won't work-harden as fast, but this applies to HF wire antennas more than VHF antennas. At 3/8 you shouldn't worry either way.

> The wire I have is aluminum, is there a significant difference aluminum and copper?

Aluminum wire is an absolute bitch to solder if you are unfamiliar with soldering. You need lots of heat. The alternative is crimping (buttsplices or other automotive connector) which is a better idea but if you're doing a QFH it might be a tad cramped inside the conduit (if you're building out of conduit).

Be aware of galvanic corrosion if you're crimping/soldering aluminum and copper together, especially if its exposed to the elements.

> What kind of termination do you use for your antennas? My RTL-SDR uses an SMA but I will be purchasing an adapter for BNC because I have another antenna with that connection.

For receiving antennas I like F type to SMA so I can use lovely cheap and low-loss RG6. If I'm going with a transmitting antenna I prefer BNC or PL-259 (which is a bad connector but its easy to assemble).

I emailed them about this. Here's the reply I got:


> It contains the same high-accuracy standard crystal as our NESDR Mini, 25PPM instead of 100PPM+ used in 'generic' RTL-SDRs.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Sarah
> NooElec Inc.
>
> On Wed, Nov 5, 2014 at 8:11 PM, NooElec Contact Form <admin@nooelec.com> wrote:
>
> Name: [removed]
> E-mail: [removed]
> Telephone: [removed]
>
> Comment: Hello,
> Does your new NESDR Mini 2 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2UOU72/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00P2UOU72&linkCode=as2&tag=txtl02-20&linkId=WF4ONOBNSWPHGNUC) have the same crystal as that in a normal RTL-SDR with a normal R820T, or does it have an improved crystal? If it is improved, what are the specifications of the improved crystal?

What you mean by ground? I have heard the term but not sure how it applies in this case. I used this wire https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HACYOS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (may or may not make a difference on the type but this is really cheap and seems really good quality). I connected one end to the telescopic antenna (with alligator clips) and strung it in between two branches of a really big tree near the house by simply wrapping the wire around something you can throw high enough to get through the space in the branches and then I took the wire over a seat that is attached like a swing (this is near the tree) and then took the wire back over the swing and then wrapped the excess around the wooden part of the swing (side of the swing wooden part). The entire wire goes from the back port to the tree pretty high up and onto the swing without touching the ground. I also wrapped it on a spot of the backporch so the wire would go from the backporch to the tree high enough were it should not interfere with someone walking under it or grass cutting to prevent needing it to be moved often.

You didn't mention which SDR you are using, but if it is an RTL dongle or Ettus then you should loko at Dr. Lou's Ham2Mon code:

https://github.com/madengr/ham2mon

I also highly recommend this book series, very helpful step by step intro to RF and Radio Signals using SDR.

https://www.amazon.com/Field-Expedient-SDR-3-Book/dp/B077GWV6HH/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1538131131&sr=8-5&keywords=field+expedient+SDR

The link is to the kindle edition for the 3 books, but each book is also available as paperback. Be aware there is a black and white and a color version of the paperback books, the color version is a lot more useful as colors are used in configuring GNURadio blocks.

If you want to sniff around the entire frequency range the SDR is capable of receiving you will want something outdoors and as high as you can get it. Just stick a long wire in the center hole of the SMA connector and run it up a tree. Attaching a 15-20 foot wire to the outside of the SMA connector as a counterpoise might lower the noise floor a little.

When you're ready for a better setup, you'll still want it outdoors and high but you will also want to do a better job of matching the impedance of the SDR; something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0141X3B5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_z8DEzbKNJ7ZMH

I have a small PCB style LNA. I have it connected to one of these 9V battery holders. The built-in power switch makes it very convenient to turn on and off. Mine has been going strong for a couple of weeks on the same battery, not nonstop use of course. Also, has been pointed out, tapping 5V from USB would work. Not sure how different voltage affects performance at various frequencies.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C5J4L76/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and these little feet to mount the PCB LNA so it's not floating around in the air. I might have a friend 3D print me a nice enclosure for it.


https://www.amazon.com/Dashtop-Mounting-Arcade-Windows-Raspberry/dp/B01HNUSKRY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=S963UM4QHP83&keywords=pcb+feet&qid=1566684515&s=gateway&sprefix=pcb+feet%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-3

2.4 GHz Dish

This is the dish I got it seemed to be the cheesesteak and easiest to get. I then added a 2cm 3D printed spacer for the reflector that helps a lot. I than got a speaker stand from amazon to mount it to and other antennas it’s totally worth it for the price, vary stable.

These are awesome and want to capture these, is there a guide for idiots out there? I have some kit, a NOoelec smartee bundle from amazon

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B079C4S2BT

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What do I need to get images like yours? Im in the UK if that matters

I just got a ZDA 1.7/2.1 antenna and it worked out fine. It doesn't have a secondary reflector, but I was able to get vit averages down to ~450, with it sitting on patio furniture. Hopefully I can get it lower with a proper mount next weekend. I may also attempt a DIY secondary reflector.

https://www.amazon.com/1710-2170-Grid-Parabolic-Dish-Antenna/dp/B07DQS39RZ

I had it out receiving for about 7 hours and didn't have too many dropped packets, but my elevation is 45 degrees and pretty forgiving I imagine.

Note that I had this particular seller cancel my order 2 times. I just kept placing the order until they finally gave in and shipped it to me.

Yes, the Himawari-8 data is part of the data that's relayed from GOES-16. This is also why I'm able to capture some GOES-15 data too (which my antenna wasn't pointed at). If you look at the "Readme" in the text directory, you can see the types of data being broadcast (the NWS/NHC stuff is pretty interesting, too)

As for my antenna, I'm using this 1.9ghz parabolic grid antenna.

Sure.The dish is an old unbranded one we got for free, it seems to be a simple offset feed. I could take a wider photo of it, but seems to be nothing special or of note.
The GPS antenna is one I pulled out of an old broken GPS system. It is just the patch antenna, it does not have a low pass filter or amplifier on it at all. (This is not the one, but probably pretty close; https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00R3PFMRG ).
The LNA is one I got off Amazon in the USA. It's probably not that great, but seems to help a lot, looking forward to getting the Sawbird IO ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K1NMC23 ) today and will make a note of any difference in the signal strength.
It is powered over the line by a bias T, so we use the SmaTee ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y1D7P48 ) to provide the 5v it requires.
I did not want that 5v to get into the AirspyMini, so I got one of these splitters;https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H2HNQWIf you take a look at the product image, you can see that only one leg passes DC, the other leg is blocked.
If you have any more questions, just ask!

OS is Raspian; Documentation can be found all over the place for installing.

Software used for tracking trunks in the Baltimore Co MD, Carroll Co MD, York PA area is called OP25

Method of configuration that I used can be found here (Big shout out to Johns tech blog) This guide is amazing.

https://www.hagensieker.com/wordpress/2018/07/17/op25-for-dummies/

8 Inch monitor can be found here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FP2F9XY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The antenna used can be found here in which I retrofitted with a camera tripod

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QCJM6S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

rtl-sdr dongle used can be found here

https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B0129EBDS2/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3RE7FZK09J0QX&keywords=rtl-sdr.com&qid=1558445253&s=electronics&sprefix=rtl-sdr%2Celectronics%2C124&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1

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The case that I am using for this Raspberry Pi B+ can be found here

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G1LMFRG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The speaker that I wound up using and not in this pic is an Anker Soundcore boost, but I also use headphones when I take this to the office.

All radio system-specific information can be found at radioreference.com.

Getting the true control channel can be challenging sometimes as the db on radio reference is not always correct, at least for my area. Also, trial an error I was able to determine that the offset for my dongles is -1.

You need to get a Grid Antenna like this (I bought the last one :P) and you'll also need an LNA, preferably, this LNA/Filter hybrid from NooElec.

You will also need an N type male to SMA male (depending on the antenna) if you were to get one like mine.

And yes, you do need an LNA for this. Don't be like me, thinking I could do it without one, had to wait another two days for one :P

After that, i'd recommend you get a stand for the antenna to be mounted on, like a modded tripod. I use an old umbrella stand (super bottom heavy) and a wooden stick from a broken broom.

Thanks Everyone, I went ahead and just bought 2 new RTLSDR (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VZ1AWQA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and some adapters for now (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RF15070/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) Im hoping to use unitrunker with the 2 dongles and then eventually make an antenna to get NOAA Images

Would this be any good?

Ah yes sorry.

I'm using the NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR with stock antenna. It's frequencies are 24MHz-1750MHz. And what "settings" do you mean? There are multiple tabs that have settings.

I have the same SDR dongle listed in your post. I bought it just under a year ago on an impulse and played around with it for 3ish months (set up an antenna in the attic, bought an LNA, etc.) I mainly use it for FM radio now. The antenna(s) you have for tv/radio should work with the SDR dongle if you get one of these.


As for software, I mainly use SDR# (download).

http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr

Get one with Elonics E4000 chipset & another with Rafael Micro R820T or R828D chipset.

The reasons for this choice are that the E4000 covers a higher range 52 - 2200 MHz BUT with a gap from 1100 to 1250 MHz

While the other has no gap but it is limited to 1766 MHz.

In other words one gives you a higher reception range but with a 150MHz gap and the other covers this gap, used separately of course.

Never get a dongle with an RF Antenna connector (old TV antenna connector that looks like this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_aerial_plug) because I heard it degrades signal reception.

If you are just starting, do not worry too much just get this one:
https://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-RTL2832-Antenna/dp/B00P2UOU72/

Remember once you are done to edit your post at the end indicating that. :)

http://www.amazon.com/NooElec-Receiver-Compatible-Packages-Guaranteed/dp/B00P2UOU72/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1415227534&sr=8-4&keywords=nooelec+r820t2

I'm in the UK. Is this an acceptable substitute?

"NooElec NESDR Mini 2 USB RTL-SDR & ADS-B Receiver Set, RTL2832U & R820T2 Tuner, MCX Input. Low-Cost Software Defined Radio Compatible with Many SDR Software Packages. R820T2 Tuner & ESD-Safe Antenna Input, Guaranteed"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P2UOU72/