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   ==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community ==================================== 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   ==================================== 🎓 Check out our online courses ==================================== 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   ==================================== ⚠️ I want to answer your questions ==================================== 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   ==================================== 🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters ==================================== 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   ==================================== 🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel ==================================== 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   ==================================== ➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media ==================================== ▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter ▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook  ▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo... ▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram ▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok    ==================================== All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session205