I’ll be teaching an Introductory class at Circle City Con this year, on Software Defined Radio.

Introduction to Software Defined Radio with the RTL-SDR on Windows and the Raspberry Pi 2

4-hour introduction to Software Defined Radio, using the RTL2832U chipset, covering both Microsoft Windows and the Raspberry Pi. We will be going over how to track airplanes, scan radio frequencies to find people talking, and covering a little radio theory. Covering RTL-SDR due to the cost of equipment. A list can be provided to students prior to the course.

Here is the part list you’ll need if you’re taking the class (Note the links got to RTL-SDR.com, Amazon, or Ada Fruit, and I am not associated with either of them). If you can get parts elsewhere that is fine :

• A computer running Windows you are authorized to install software on. I discourage using your work computers.
• A R820T2 RTL2832U radio dongle. (Only need 1 of 4 listed the below, 4 listed for diff options).
  • RTL-SDR Blog R820T2 RTL2832U Metal case (built in heat sink to prevent Frequency drift), and 2 telescoping antennas. Currently sold out, but should be back in stock soon.
  • NooElec NESDR Mini+ Al: 0.5PPM TCXO RTL-SDR & ADS-B USB Receiver Set w/ Aluminum Enclosure & Antenna. I have not received mine yet, so do not now the antenna quality.
  • NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR & DVB-T USB Stick
  • NooElec NESDR Mini USB RTL-SDR & ADS-B Receiver Set The antenna it comes with isn’t that great.
• A Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 (the 3 were not out when I wrote the proposal, and I have yet to find one in stock).
• A way to power the Raspberry Pi, I suggest a USB Battery Pack.
• A way to interact with the Raspberry Pi
  • USB to TTL Serial Cable for programming / setup
  • A Rapsberry Pi Touch Screen
• Headphones / earbuds

All the RTL-SDR dong’es with antennas I’ve gotten so far have had magnetic mounts, and you need a ground plane for them to work right.