[GCARC] SDR Saturday - software installation info

[Jonathan Pearce]

If you're planning to attend the SDR Saturday session please install the SDR# software before the session. We're hopeful that we can avoid slowing the session down to deal with individual installation issues. See the info below and email me if you're having problems. It may be helpful to bring your laptop and RTL-SDR to the GCARC meeting on Monday Jan 6 at which we may be able to provide some individualized assistance.

Note that if you're using a different SDR radio (an SDR Play, Airspy, Funcube, etc.) you don't need to follow the directions specific to installing the RTL-SDR drivers. Those SDRs will install their own drivers correctly. The RTL-SDR device defaults to the wrong drivers and needs the Zadig program to install the right ones, as described in the document linked below.

Download the Community Software Package with Plugins software package with the plugins from https://airspy.com/download/:

Follow the directions in this link with instructions on how to install the SDR# software, load the RTL-SDR drivers to replace the default drivers and set the RF gain on the SDR so that you can actually receive signals.  Read this before installing the software: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/

Here's some additional info on the R3 (current) version of the RTL-SDR dongle: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/

Here's some info on setting up SDR# and understanding the commands and parameters: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/sdrsharp-users-guide/

Here's some info on the dipole antenna: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/using-our-new-dipole-antenna-kit/

Here's a description of the RTL-SDR radio's function and some comments on its use: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RTL-SDR-Blog-V3-Datasheet.pdf

Hope this is helpful

73 de Jon WB2MNF