RTL-SDR Changing The Shortwave Hobby

The old days of shortwave was chasing radio stations around the world and listening to number stations, which there are still many of both out there but not as many as the good old days. Being a kid of the 60’s and having a dad that was in the air force and into radio, I grew up being amazed by what you could pick up on a shortwave radio. 

Where he really impressed me was with decoding CW transmissions until I got older I used to think he was making it up LOL… When we picked up the Apollo Soyuz mission of USA and Russia that hooked me for sure. We used to keep a log book of everything we did and I wish I had it to this day, but as a kid did not think like that. Today SWL is on a new level and you can log and get confirmations from HAMs & Stations your pick up on air like never before & today the part of shortwave I am most amazed with is:

• Decoding CW (Learning it slowly) – FT8 – PSK31 – SSTV & ISS Images
• Listening to HAM operators globally
• Air traffic tracking and transmissions
• eQSL – gives me the ability to confirm SWL pickups with HAM operators and keep a log of everything we have done, but its more interactive than just writing it in a book we actually get a response from the people we heard in the QSO that’s awesome! (Internet needed to send QSL card)

These types of transmissions are everywhere and always happening, so when I am in my shack I am never bored.  What I am enjoying is I have like most radio enthusiast spent money on some nice radios and enjoy them big time but lately I am getting lots of satisfaction out of my RTL-SDR.

The fact is technology has finally caught up with radio and wow it’s an exciting time.  I don’t have a HAM license but I do like to talk on radio so I am on Hamsphere which is like digital HAM radio and I have my own ZELLO chat & I am on UHF CB radio, so when I get the urge to want to chat I can.

What the RTL-SDR does for me is give me the off grid ability to listen / pickup / decode / track in real time anywhere without the internet & that really excites me.  I have a mini laptop bag for a 10 inch laptop and in that is my entire office and on the road setup:

• 1 laptop with all my software – HDSDR – WSJT-X – Grid Tracker – RTL1090 & Virtual Radar – CWGet – FLDIGI – MMSSTV
• 1 Samsung Tablet with Decoding software for FT8 – CW – SDR Touch – Pocket RXTX – Droid PSK – FT8 – RTTY and more, these apps don’t need the internet or cords or cables to function.
• 2 RTL-SDR Dongles
• Scanner Antenna Indoor Tripod Outdoor by Super Antenna SR1 SDR Antenna SuperScanR
• RG174 antenna cable about 4 feet
• Bluetooth headset
• 1 Tesla battery charger with multi USB cable

What I like about this setup is I can carry it anywhere in the world and setup in minutes and be able to work or track and listen to HAM radio or Air Traffic or even SWL for Radio stations.  This makes for me the ultimate off grid radio setup that allows me to do what I can do in my shack on the road. Being a geek and radio junky I carry my bag with me everywhere LOL…

My ZELLO network via my phone – these are internet driven & I keep my UHF CB 5 watt handheld with me.  Down the track when or if I get my HAM license then I can access – IRLP – EchoLink & a few other modes of comms.

For now the RTL-SDR is working well for me and when I meet people that are interested in what I do they think that it will cost them an arm and a leg but the truth is it won’t if you already have a laptop or computer you can spend under a $100 and be set up.  If you want to turn it up a notch it will cost ya a few hundred.  My setup – Mini Laptop & Software $400 – Antenna $165 – RTLSDR Dongle $75 – Tablet $120 = $760 Australian dollars USA = $520 or so. The good thing is once you do this there is no monthly plan for getting on (Because no internet needed) so data not an issue and no membership charges so you are totally self-reliant and the software does not require internet to function either so it’s something to think about.

The RTL-SDR dongle is a versatile, affordable device that has opened up a world of possibilities for radio enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals alike. This small USB dongle, based on the RTL2832U chipset, allows users to receive, decode, and analyze a wide range of radio signals, including FM radio, aircraft transponders, digital TV broadcasts, and even satellite communications.

My off the grid choice of radio, let us know what you think.. Hope you like this one CJ VK2021SWL WRYG735

NOTE: Make sure you get the original RTL-SDR I make no money from this order direct from their website because there are fakes on the market – https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/

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