205 - SDR Holiday Buyer's Guide

It is time for our annual radio buyer’s guide.

In the past few years, I have offered a list of scanners that I would recommend. 

However, since there haven’t been any new releases in the scanner radio world in the last few years, I do not want to repeat the same information that I gave you last year.

Instead, I’m going to give you my recommendation for Software Defined Radios.

This list will include what to stay away from, and what radios I recommend from beginners to advanced SDR users.

 

Why cover Software Defined Radios?  Because I believe that the future of scanner radios will somehow be part of the software-defined radio hobby.

 

Links for today’s Podcast:
(Some of these links are affiliate links and Scanner School will earn a small commission if you make a purchase using these links)

• Scanner School Podcast 101
• Scanner School Podcast 152
• Nooelec RTL-SDR
  • SDR only
  • SDR with Antennas
• RTL-SDR Blog v3 SDR
• Airspy
• HackRF
• SDRplay
• HackRF Portapack – Possible Clones?

 

What You Need To Know

• Avoid blister pack SDR that normally include an antenna and remote control.
• These radios can be identified by their rounded edges
• You want a SDR that includes a TCXO
• A TXCO will help stabilize your SDR
• Airspy Devices are a great upgrade to entry level SDRs
• SDRPlay makes excellent high end Software Defined Radios
• We have a great list of SDR accessories in today’s podcast

 

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🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

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Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

 

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🎓 Check out our online courses

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Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

 

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⚠️ I want to answer your questions

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I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

 

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Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

 

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We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

 

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➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

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All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session205