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.
Outline:
1. Basic theory of electromagnetic radiation known as radio waves 2. Install SDR# software and configure Dongle on Windows to monitor broadcasts (FM radio, Ham Radio, Other bands). 3. ADBS (Track airplanes, basically how FlightAware does it, with remote sensors people run) 4. Frequency counting (finding what Freqs are popular in an area to do more of item 2). 5. Radio Directional Finding, using RTL-SDR dongles on a Raspberry Pi with a touchscreen and gui software. 5a. (for licensed HAMS) how to turn the Raspberry Pi in to a broadcasting radio
Please bring the following to the workshop:
A computer running Windows you are authorized to install software on. I discourage using your work computers.
· A R820T2 RTL2832U radio dongle. (any 1 of the 4 listed below).
o 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.
o 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.
o NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR & DVB-T USB Stick
o 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).
o A way to power the Raspberry Pi, I suggest a USB Battery Pack.
