We will use a low-cost software-defined radio (RTL-SDR) to do a number of exercises/experiments throughout the semester, starting in September. Info about the RTL-SDR can be found from the links below:
http://www.rtl-sdr.com/about-rtl-sdr/Links to an external site.

http://www.superkuh.com/rtlsdr.htmlLinks to an external site.

http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdrLinks to an external site.

The SDR can do some very cool things (see the links above).

You will need to order the SDR yourself this semester. You may purchase the SDR from most online retailers, for example, from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rtl-sdr+RTL2832U+R820T2&crid=R7KRGSTBPPC4&sprefix=rtl-sdr+rtl2832u+r820t2Links to an external site.

RTL-SDRs vary in quality. We have had good experience with the Nooelec brand for many years. If you decide to go with another brand, be sure that it has the RTL2832U & R820T2 chips. I strongly recommend that you order from a US retailer so that you can be sure to receive the radio by the end of January.

You will need an antenna along with the radio itself, so I would recommend that you consider buying one of these kits:

Nooelec NESDR Mini 2 USB RTL-SDR and ADS-B Receiver Set, RTL2832U and R820T2 Tuner, MCX Input. Low-Cost Software Defined Radio Compatible with Many SDR Software Packages, ESD-Safe: 

Links to an external site.recommend.

Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 Bundle – NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) Software Defined Radio Links to an external site.: this kit costs around $45 and potentially allows reception of real AM radio signals. 

Nooelec NESDR Mini 2+ 0.5PPM TCXO RTL-SDR & ADS-B USB Receiver Set w/Antenna, Mount & Female SMA AdapterLinks to an external site. : this kit costs around $35 and cannot receive AM radio signals. We will work around this by providing an alternate AM radio source in the lab, so this option is still fine.

Nooelec NESDR Smart v5 HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF Including a NESDR Smart v5 R860/RTL2832U RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, 9:1 Balun, and AdaptersLinks to an external site. : this kit costs around $115 and can be used to provide better reception of signal in the lower frequency HF band, like AM. I would only recommend this if you are really interested in receiving AM or HAM signals outside of this class.

Please have your RTL-SDR delivered before August 31st.

I have enabled comments on this Announcement. If you have questions, you can post them as a comment to this Announcement on E-Learning or you can post them on the #lab channel on Slack.