Quote:
Originally Posted by eclipsme
I see what you mean. Lots of pieces to be obtained from lots of places.
Thanks!
Was it worth it? Nice cheap alternative for someone that barely understands what this is!
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It was worth it to me; it gave me a spectrum analyzer for $25. I was then able to see if the channel was there when my tuner didn't pick it up during a channel scan.
The first thing I did when learning about SDRs was download the SDR# (SDRsharp) software, which was ready to use. The dongle and SDR# will only show about 2 MHz. But, I was then able to look at part of a channel, its pilot carrier, and estimate the SNR of the channel.
I was also able to look at and listen to FM signals.
This gave me the confidence to try the spectrum analyzer for the RTL-SDR.COM V3 dongle.
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/
I knew that if I couldn't figure out the RTLSDR Scanner, I would at least have the dongle and SDR# software.
I suggest you try the RTL-SDR.COM V3 dongle with the SDR# software to give you confidence.
Quick Start Guide
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/
Installing RTL-SDR & SDR Sharp on Win10 Made Easy - TheSmokinApe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUwRt5qn-6U
Once you have it working, then you need to learn how to adjust the gain to make a good estimate of the SNR of the channel. There is an optimum setting of the gain to show max signal with max SNR. Strong signals require less gain; weak signals require more gain.
This is my amateur video; one of these should work:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ge923irqji...50-56.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ge923irqji...50-56.mp4?dl=1
If you want to show the whole channel with ready-to-use software, then upgrade to the SDRplay RSP1A SDR ($100) with SDRuno software.