SDR Kits

If you’re coming to this link, it’s probably because I sent you an SDR Kit. Below are my instructions to help get you going. I hope this gets you started in the wonderful hobby of amateur radio!

Other wise, return to my site if you’re not interested.

Note / Credit: These kits are not my creation. Thanks KN3B for making the end-fed vertical wire antenna kit (Also, for getting me started in HAM radio!). This kit is complete overkill for HF passive listening. I hope you will find it useful as you progress in amateur radio. It’s also a great learning experience for any starter.

RTL-SDR’s are available at: RTL-SDR.COM

Table of Contents:

Verify Kit Contents

Get started on SDR#

Using the supplied antennas

Listening to HF

The Math Behind all of this

Verify

Verify the contents of your kit. You should have the following. Don’t hesitate to email me if I missed something! You know how to get in touch with me.

  • 1x RTL-SDR Brand Dongle
  • 1x Dipole antenna base w/ 60cm RG174
  • 2x 23cm to 1m telescopic antenna
  • 2x 5cm to 13cm telescopic antenna
  • 1x 3m TG174 extension cable
  • 1x Flexi-tripod mount
  • 1x Suction cup mount
  • 1x black plastic enclosure
  • 1x so-239 connector
  • 2x zip ties
  • 60.96cm / 2 feet red awg cable
  • 60.96cm / 2 feet black awg cable
  • 1x T130-2 toroid
  • 2x 1/4x20 bolt
  • 2x 1/4x20 nuts
  • 2x 1/4x20 wing nut
  • 2x 1/4 lock washer
  • 4x small bolts + 3 nuts + 1 small lock nut.

Complete kit

SDR#

Get acquainted with the SDR here.

Once you have SDRSharp fired up, you can begin listening with the various antennas which came with the kit. Below I offer my analysis of the antenna. At the end of this page, I explain the math of these antennas.

Antennas

(Antenna analysis coming soon)

Passive HF

For passive HF listening on your RTL-SDR you first must enable HF. This Guide allows you to listen to HF signals between 550Khz and 28Mhz.

Follow KN3B’s Guide for assembling your first End-fed vertical antenna. If you’re just planning to listen, make the longest antenna element you can fit in your space. Trimming lengths can come later when you’re licensed and ready to transmit!

Math

Let’s start with Heaviside’s “Duplex” equations for Maxwell’s theory. I assume everyone reading this section is very familiar with Maxwell’s Theory.