Rtl-sdr is a software defined radio (SDR) receiver software for certain low-cost DVB-T/DAB(+) USB dongles based on the Realtek RTL2832U chip. This package contains a set of command line utilities. Rtl-sdr on Ubuntu: It was recently discovered that several cheap DVB-T usb. I'm trying to make an FM receiver and other analog TV receiver but when. There's a nice Ubuntu remaster called 'Skywave Linux' with plug and play RTL-SDR.
Using a RTL2838 DVB-T dongle to listen to radio transmissions is very easy on Linux.
I created this file under /etc/udev/rules.d/.
rtl-sdr.rules.
Then I replugged my USB DVB dongle, and I could test it out.
This command allowed me to hear an FM radio station.
Gqrx is the best SDR application for listening to a wide variety of radio frequencies. Install it on Ubuntu 17.04, then load it up to test your radio dongle.
http://gqrx.dk/download/install-ubuntu.
These are my settings for my dongle for SDR.
Listening to the ABC radio to check on the cricket.
Adjust the gain if the signal is faint, this is a very good application, you can listen to frequencies out side the FM radio band, but you would need a guide for your area as to what radio frequencies are used by emergency services and/or aircraft.
There are websites that list common frequencies around your area, checking these would give the user a starting point to find interesting listening.
SDR Radio
Software Defined Radio - Ubuntu Linux
What is SDR Radio?
SDR (Software Defined Radio) is a system whereby components of a radio that are normally implemented with physical hardware (modulators/demodulators amplifiers etc..) are instead implemented by means of software running on a computer. A simple and cheap way of creating a SDR is to use a DVB-T dongle. DVB-T dongles that are based on the Realtek RTL2832U chip can be used. These dongles can then be used to receive and decode a very wide range of frequencies. In the example below we will install 'gqrx' which is a SDR front end 'dump1090' which is used for processing ADS-B aircraft signals
(see SDR Radio Hardware ).
(see SDR Radio Hardware ).
What do you need?
Basically all that is required is a computer, decoding software and a DVB-T+DAB+FM USB dongle
PC - Computer
In the example that follows I have used a laptop running Ubuntu 13.10 as the base for installing the decoding software:
Installation Packages
Before we begin installing our decoding radio software we will need to install the following components. Simply issue the following command from the command line:
sudo apt-get install git cmake libboost-all-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev python-scitools portaudio19-dev -y
sudo apt-get install git cmake libboost-all-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev python-scitools portaudio19-dev -y
gqrx - Software Defined Radio
'gqrx' is a Software Defined Radio that supports a wide range of devices. In this example we will be using the low cost RTL2832U based DVB-T dongles.
gqrx has the following features:
gqrx has the following features:
- Discover devices attached to the computer.
- Process I/Q data from the supported devices.
- Change frequency, gain and apply various corrections (frequency, I/Q balance).
- AM, SSB, FM-N and FM-W (mono and stereo) demodulators.
- Special FM mode for NOAA APT.
- Variable band pass filter.
- AGC, squelch and noise blankers.
- FFT plot and waterfall.
- Record and playback audio to / from WAV file.
- Spectrum analyzer mode where all signal processing is disabled
Installing gqrx
To install 'gqrx' we need to add a 'ppa' (Personal Package Archive) to our system. To do this we simply issue the following commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gqrx/releases
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gqrx
Once the relevant packages/software have been installed, you now insert your USB dongle. You can run a quick test to confirm that your system can see the USB device. Issue the command :
rtl_test -t
If you see the statement 'Kernel driver is active, or device is claimed by second instance of librtlsdr', then don't panic, simply issue the command:
sudo modprobe -r dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
Basically the newer kernel that comes with Ubuntu already contains a DVB driver, however, we do not want to use this. The above 'modprobe -r' command unloads this from the kernel, however for a permanent solution you will need to create the following file:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gqrx/releases
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gqrx
Once the relevant packages/software have been installed, you now insert your USB dongle. You can run a quick test to confirm that your system can see the USB device. Issue the command :
rtl_test -t
If you see the statement 'Kernel driver is active, or device is claimed by second instance of librtlsdr', then don't panic, simply issue the command:
sudo modprobe -r dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
Basically the newer kernel that comes with Ubuntu already contains a DVB driver, however, we do not want to use this. The above 'modprobe -r' command unloads this from the kernel, however for a permanent solution you will need to create the following file:
Now add the following line:
blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
Save your changes. This change will come into effect when the system is re-booted. The name of the '.conf' file is not important as long as the file ends with '.conf'.
blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
Save your changes. This change will come into effect when the system is re-booted. The name of the '.conf' file is not important as long as the file ends with '.conf'.
From the above we can see that our USB dongle has been recognised. (Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner)
Starting gqrx - Software Defined Radio
To start 'gqrx' simply type gqrx at the command line. Hopefully now you should see a screen similar to the one below:
Your device should normally be found automatically. If not, select it from the pull down list. In this example the device in use is a 'Realtek RTL2838U'. Simply click 'OK' to activate the main control screen (see below)
In the above example I have selected a frequency of a local radio station on the FM band. The spike is an indication that a signal is present. The image below the spike shows a 'waterfall' view of the transmission. A waterfall display is a graphical representation of received signals across a frequency range. The signals are colour coded giving an indication of amplitude or strength over a period of time. A waterfall display is useful for spotting weaker signals. The frequency can be changed by clicking on the numbers. Modulation mode can be changed by clicking on the 'mode' menu' (AM/FM/WFM/NBFM/USB/LSB/CW).
What can I receive?
The range of frequencies that can be received by the dongle vary from model to model. The model I am testing here covers 24MHz through to 1.766GHz. The table below is a quick guide to what you may be able to receive (Voice). For a more comprehensive list of frequencies search for 'scanner frequencies' or 'Radio Frequency Guide' in the above search box:
Description - Mode | Frequency |
---|---|
12m Amateur Radio (AM/FM/CW/USB/LSB) | 24.890 - 24.990MHz |
CB Radio (AM/FM/USB/LSB) | 26 - 28MHZ |
10m Amateur Radio (AM/FM/CW/USB/LSB) | 28.400 - 29.700MHz |
6m Amateur Radio (AM/FM/CW/USB/LSB) | 50 - 52MHZ |
Civil Airband (AM) | 117.975 - 136.000 MHz |
2m Amateur Radio (AM/FM/CW/USB/LSB) | 144 - 146MHZ |
Marine Band (FM) | 156 - 163MHz |
PMR (Private Mobile Radio) (NFM) | 163 - 185MHZ |
Military Airband (AM) | 200 - 399MHZ |
70 cm Amateur Radio (AM/FM/CW/USB/LSB) | 430 - 440MHZ |
PMR and Security (NFM) | 440 - 470MHZ |
Installing RTL_SDR components
![Rtl-sdr Rtl-sdr](/uploads/1/2/5/3/125318647/851245736.png)
Although the 'gqrx' software installed many of the components. We still need to install the following components.
Issue the following command:
sudo git clone git://git.osmocom.org/rtl-sdr.git
This command will download the source files into a directory: '~/rtl-sdr'
Issue the following command:
sudo git clone git://git.osmocom.org/rtl-sdr.git
This command will download the source files into a directory: '~/rtl-sdr'
Now that we have downloaded our source code, we will need to compile this code:
A directory called 'rtl_sdr' will have been automatically created for us within our home area (/home/userid/rtl_sdr).Next we need to Change to the 'rtl_sdr' directory below and build our resources:
A directory called 'rtl_sdr' will have been automatically created for us within our home area (/home/userid/rtl_sdr).Next we need to Change to the 'rtl_sdr' directory below and build our resources:
Commands issued:
Installing Dump1090 - ADS-B Software
What is ADS-B?
ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast. This technology is used by aircraft to transmit their location and speed to Air Traffic Controllers (ATC). For more information on ADS-B see the wiki page wiki ADS-B
Dump1090 is the software used for displaying a graphical representation of aircraft on a google map. The '1090' in the name relates to the frequency that aircraft transmit their positional information on (1090MHz).
First we need to issue the following command to download the source code:
$ sudo git clone git://github.com/antirez/dump1090.git
Dump1090 is the software used for displaying a graphical representation of aircraft on a google map. The '1090' in the name relates to the frequency that aircraft transmit their positional information on (1090MHz).
First we need to issue the following command to download the source code:
$ sudo git clone git://github.com/antirez/dump1090.git
Next issue the following commands:
$ cd dump1090/
$ sudo make
Output from above commands:
$ cd dump1090/
$ sudo make
Output from above commands:
Hopefully you would have seen some output similar to the above.
Testing ADS-B Decoding
To run our installed software we can issue the command:
./dump1090 --interactive
You should now see a screen similar to the one below:
./dump1090 --interactive
You should now see a screen similar to the one below:
The screen shows Aircraft flight information such as Altitude, Speed, Latitude and Longitude.
If you wish to view the above aircraft displayed on a google map, then we can run the following command instead. (To terminate the above process, CRTL + C):
./dump1090 --interactive --net
Open your browser and type in the following address: localhost:8080
You should now see an image similar to the one below. The number of aircraft will vary depending on how busy the traffic is near you and also how strong your reception is. Ideally, you would need to place your antenna close to a window or outside for best results. The small antenna that comes with the dongle should work quite well if you place it on a metal plate or metal tin. Generally you can track aircraft within a 100 mile radius (161 km).
If you wish to view the above aircraft displayed on a google map, then we can run the following command instead. (To terminate the above process, CRTL + C):
./dump1090 --interactive --net
Open your browser and type in the following address: localhost:8080
You should now see an image similar to the one below. The number of aircraft will vary depending on how busy the traffic is near you and also how strong your reception is. Ideally, you would need to place your antenna close to a window or outside for best results. The small antenna that comes with the dongle should work quite well if you place it on a metal plate or metal tin. Generally you can track aircraft within a 100 mile radius (161 km).