Software Defined Radio

If you have an SDRplay RSPdx connected to your computer, you don’t necessarily have to be sitting at that computer to use it. With the right setup, you can access the RSPdx from an Android device over your local Wi-Fi network, giving you a convenient way to listen to radio signals remotely. In this guide, … Read more

If you’ve recently purchased an RTL-SDR, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is which software to use. For years, SDR# (SDRSharp) was the default recommendation for most SDR enthusiasts. While SDR# remains extremely popular, many hobbyists have migrated to SDR++ because of its modern interface, excellent performance, and support for Windows, Linux, … Read more

If you have ever wondered what pilots and air traffic controllers are saying overhead, you are not alone. Aircraft communications are one of the most active and fascinating parts of the radio spectrum, and with a cheap SDR dongle, you can start listening from home in less than an hour. Modern Software Defined Radio (SDR) … Read more

Learn how to use an SDR dongle in 2026 to listen to aircraft communications and track ADS-B signals. Get started with affordable tech!

Software defined radio changed amateur radio forever, and this FlexRadio demo playlist does an excellent job showing why. Watching through the videos, you can clearly see how SDR technology improves signal visibility, filtering, and overall operating efficiency compared to traditional HF rigs. In this article, I’ll summarize the key lessons from the playlist from my … Read more

What I Learned Using This Classic SDR Setup If you’ve been curious about older software defined radio setups that might now be on the resale market, the combination of the FlexRadio FLEX-3000 and PowerSDR still has a lot to offer. After watching this playlist of demo videos, it’s clear why many hams continue to use … Read more

If you’ve outgrown the limitations of entry-level SDRs, the SDRplay RSP sits in a compelling middle ground—offering significantly better performance than an RTL-SDR without jumping into high-end price territory. In this breakdown, you’ll see what makes this ~$150 receiver stand out, how it compares to both budget and premium options, and whether it’s worth adding … Read more

Getting a new radio in the mail is always an exciting day for any ham radio operator. I recently received the RS-918 HF SDR transceiver, and it is quite an interesting piece of gear. This radio is a fully assembled clone of the famous mcHF kit from the United Kingdom. While the original was a … Read more

What you can pickup with your SDR A software-defined radio (SDR) can receive many real-world signals, including air traffic control, amateur radio, shortwave broadcasts, weather satellites, marine communications, and digital transmissions like ADS-B and AIS. What you can hear depends on your antenna, location, and SDR hardware. An SDR turns your computer into a powerful … Read more

What makes SDR especially interesting is that the software often matters just as much as the radio hardware itself. The right SDR application can dramatically improve signal visibility, tuning precision, decoding capability, filtering, scanning performance, and overall usability. Some SDR programs are designed for beginners who simply want to explore local radio activity, while others … Read more

Getting started with Software Defined Radio can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of SDR receivers, antennas, filters, cables, and accessories available, and it’s not always obvious which ones are actually worth buying. The good news is that you don’t need expensive equipment to enjoy SDR. A carefully chosen beginner setup can let you monitor aircraft, … Read more