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Newbie looking for modern SDR recommendations / 2023-2024 (self.amateur_radio)

submitted 11 months ago by lecoban to c/[email protected]

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Any recos for a starting kit (budget: ~500), HF/VLF/UHF, looking forward to eventually get my permit and transmit ad well? Linux-only desktop user

Based on readings so far RTL SDR kits with ham it up do not seem to fare anywhere as well as anyspy or sdr play. Wondering between these two which is the better iption and why, and is there a more modern alternative?

In the future I would also like to experiment on higher bands (Bluetooth/wifi/lte/5g), for that perhaps RTL could be an option?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I’m just staring to build a T41 SDR QRP Transceiver

SDR = Software Defined Radio, 
QRP is the Q code for reduce power, QRP radios are meant for low power operations.

Not sure if you want to go down the kit route but it will teach you a bit about RF (Radio Frequency) theory and practical electronics (If you don’t already know). It’s also very modular and there are other options for the RF amplifier section so it does not have to be QRP, there is a 20W and 100W board available as well.

Be warned that this kit will take a lot of time, reading, careful soldering of tiny SMD (Surface mount devices) components, etc. There is a good book about the kit, the theory, programming the Tensy (the microcontroller heart of the t41), etc.

http://4sqrp.com/T41main.php

https://www.amazon.com/Software-Defined-Radio-Transceiver-Construction/dp/B09WYP1ST8

Note: I know most in this community will know the acronyms, I spell them out for others that may happen by