r/RTLSDR

Hello all. I've been looking for an option to visualize on a map incidents that I hear on my SDR. I wanted to share with you what can be done. I am considering open-sourcing the project.

website screenshot

What the system does: it listens to the radio chatter (in my case it's Burnaby Fire Dispatch), transcribes the talk, assigns categories, extracts address information, and looks up latitude and longitude to create a point on a map. Then it visualizes the point on a dashboard.

Above is a screenshot from the test website, and I posted a video to YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubU9Mf_zZAM (it describes the project, but also briefly reviews SDR++ and SDRAngel for those completely unfamiliar).

I would like to understand if this is something that you'd be interested in replicating for your area. There are transcription mistakes too, so it's not perfect, but it's still very usable. I just believe that the SDR community can truly leverage listening in many ways with a system like that, and Deep SDR is where we can expand to a new dimension of data accumulation and analysis, with better insight into public resource allocation, seasonal trends, incident patterns and much more.

Ultimate Model - Omega Chassis for uConsole

Hey r/RTLSDR ,

Anyone following the ClockworkPI uConsole scene already knows it’s basically a dream form-factor for a portable signal-hunting rig. But trying to push it to its limits with multi-band monitoring, portable, less spiky, or power-hungry transceivers makes it obvious that battery life, thermals, and antenna placement quickly become a massive bottleneck.

Well, I have worked on more than 8 months and multiple production validations. Happy to share the Omega Chassis.

Titanium Silver - Silver Finishing

It packs with so much features, but still maintain a low profile SDR kit.

1) An Insane 10-Antenna Array (Built for the Move)

Most "laboratory-style" builds look like a mess of zip ties and coax cables that have to be disassembled just to transport them. The Omega Chassis solves this beautifully by supporting up to 10 antennas (7 along the top, plus side mounts) while maintaining a highly space-saving, grab-and-go profile.

Crucially, the chassis is designed to let the uConsole still sit flat. With a smart antenna arrangement, the rig can be slipped directly into a travel bag without the constant hassle of removing and reinstalling antennas on the move. For anyone wardriving, running multi-channel RTL-SDR arrays, or splitting lines for dedicated GPS, cellular, and ISM bands, the entire array stays permanently mounted and ready to deploy. (Note: If the optional Raspberry Pi Camera V3 or Micro SD carrier modules are used, it still comfortably fits 8 antennas).

https://preview.redd.it/6g0xywdhj7bh1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=119878d795b861b6752c4890abaae1ea08754d24

2) LimeSDR M.2 in the NVMe Slot

This is where the hardware capabilities become incredibly powerful. Because the setup perfectly integrates with the HackerGadgets NVMe layout, users can bypass a standard SSD and drop a LimeSDR M.2 module straight into the M.2 socket. Instead of just a portable receiver, the device becomes a full-duplex, wideband SDR transceiver embedded right inside a handheld cyberdeck.

3) Beefed Up Power: 3-Cell 18650 or LiPo Setup

It is no secret how fast an SDR rig can juice-drain a standard battery setup. The Omega Chassis addresses this by expanding the backplate to support a 3-cell 18650 configuration (pushing a massive ~10,500 mAh capacity) that wires right into the HackerGadgets board. For those who prefer a custom LiPo setup, the chassis is modular enough to accommodate that alternatively. It even features a screwless removable battery cover for quick-swapping cells in the field.

Insane low profile

4) Active Cooling for Continuous Sweeps

Running a compute module hard alongside an internal SDR generates a ton of heat. The chassis includes a custom active cooling system (utilizing a hybrid aluminum paired with heat-resistant plastic design) that directly cools the processor via an open-air heatsink path. It uses a custom fan curve optimized to keep things at a stable 45-55°C without sounding like a jet engine.

Customisable Fan Grills - Free to use and support included in the package

5) Built-In Camera & Modular Expansions

Modularity is a core focus of the layout. The chassis features a dedicated optional slot to integrate a built-in Raspberry Pi Camera V3 (which is even compatible with DJI Pocket 3 magnetic lens protectors) or an alternative dual-slot Micro SD card carrier for portable, swappable OS storage. Utilizing the camera or storage modules simply trades out 2 of the 10 antenna slots, still leaving a massive 8 antenna mounting points fully available for RF operations.

6) Two Build Variations: Essential vs. Ultimate

The design package includes files for two separate versions depending on the budget and desired form factor:

• The Essential Model: A budget-friendly route (~$40 minimum manufacturing cost) featuring a slightly bulkier top casing. It uses an off-the-shelf heatsink, and all the non-CNC parts can be 3D printed completely at home. OR you can print or ordering prints completely with 3D printer. All features are supported - and upgradable to Ultimate model.
• The Ultimate Model: A premium, ultra-slim design (~$90 minimum manufacturing cost) featuring a custom-designed slim heatsink. The case is fully sealed, allowing for efficient passive cooling even when the fan is turned off.

Essential Model - Starter kit

👉 Check out the full design breakdown, antenna placement, profiles and guides.

We are beginners exploring satellite communications. Failed many times so Need help to make an RTL-SDR setup to collect images from geostationary satellites
Any satellite preferably FengYun-2H
Where can i buy the antenna and its component online.

Do i buy a vhf antenna for walkie talkies? 16 euros, light, 2dbi, <2 vswr male sma so straight onto the rtl sdr

Or a cheap standard marine band antenna? 40 euros, 2.5dbi, <1.5 vswr with a pl259 and cable so needs an adapter

I'm gonna get a nanoVFA in a month so the antenna should be a cheap portable stopgap solution since ill be able to just build my own antennas

I am trying to make an crossed yagi with tunable frequency from vhf to L band . And satalite tracker using those cctv 360 PTZ module if any body have tried to a little head start will help specially hacking ptz module goal to track weather satalite listen to some amateur radio

I’m new to this hobby and a bit confused about where the problem lies. I’m trying to pick up *something* from the Meteor satellite. I have a NESDR Smart v5 dongle and the stock antennas and I recently built a V-dipole hoping to improve the signal, but the actual result is what you see in the image. The V-dipole itself is working, judging by the fact that I can pick up other signals, but I’m getting nothing from the satellites.

https://preview.redd.it/3itmu2ufm0bh1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=6782ed3644e62e92c3e444e130a24f6fec2f9df0

SDR# has been super intuitive for me, and I can get some great audio quality on the lower HAM bands. The noise filters have been great.

I saw someone talking about how much they love SDR Console, so I installed it and I just cannot get good results. It feels like signals are much harder to pick up and make clear with the noise filters.

Are there any basic things that someone new to SDR Console could easily miss, causing bad results?

I'm using an RTL-SDR V4 with an MLA-30+ antenna and the preamp that comes with the MLA-30.

I bought one from ebay. I've had fun playing with it with the included antenna and some wires strung across the room. I'm running Ubuntu and using SDR++. I have a cheap multiband radio that seems to pick up way better than the sdr dongle. I'm wondering if you all think it is okay. For example a NOAA station at 162.545 Mhz. My little multiband radio plays it loud and clear and my SDR doesn't pick it up at all (sometimes I think I can hear a voice in the static). Am I setting my expectations of SDR too high? If my dongle is trash then please let me know. Let me know of something better within reach of the same cost point of $22.99.

I have got my RTL-SDR and I have been trying to catch signals. FM broadcast works fine, analog TV and DAB works fine and I have received some signals from CB and air band. But when it comes to amateur radio bands (2m, 6m, 10m) I have received nothing. The only signal I received looks like this and is near 144.845 MHz. I checked the relay frequencies but there is no signal on them. I don't live in a remote city. I am using the dipole antenna that I have got with my RTL-SDR. Am I doing something wrong or am I just unlucky?

https://preview.redd.it/rlnk9v9t4rah1.png?width=29&format=png&auto=webp&s=dc1a583fd052de5e599792ff030f4a9f77efb3a3

So for context, I've NEVER done any ham radio stuff, none of that, I've only listened to radio when I was 12 but that's pretty much it. I've just finished my first year of electronics engineering and decided to buy an RTL-SDR V4 dongle and some cheap ass antenna as a new hobby for the summer (and hopefully learn a thing or two about radiocommunications because I might do that stuff at uni in the future). I plugged it in, did some Linux terminal wizardry (copying commands from websites) and boom shakalaka I can receive local radio stations. This is the coolest thing ever. What can I do next?

hello long time since last posted and yet we still havent detected a single hydrogen line

(we are using a horn antenna with aluminium tape, and a noolec sdr and lna ) before we bought the new sdr (the nooolec one) we were using rtl sdr v3 and there was a dc offset to strong after we changed to the noolec version there is no more dc offset peak but when i give the power to the lna the whole spectrums ground shakes and after background correcting still no hydrogen line

for lna the gain does go up when i turn it on and the amount is centered in 1420mhz so the amplification does work but cant understand why the ground shakes

i have seen many references that worked with the same things we have

At this point i really dont know what to do does anyone have an advice?? plz help

https://preview.redd.it/8cids8elmrah1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=1179a97925a1a4013d68f41fdb02980194b958d2

https://preview.redd.it/mpmkydipmrah1.png?width=783&format=png&auto=webp&s=30ec55e96b9b26fff7199008cd2a3ede00e0301c

https://preview.redd.it/59jm6gxvmrah1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=bcd07046242e5e497bfefdeeaf3682630bb57850

https://preview.redd.it/64nc8tnvnrah1.png?width=829&format=png&auto=webp&s=06b94361cdfcc67262d06c6391988734b32d31be