SDRplay: Antennas and Signals for newcomers to SDR receivers

This video is for newcomers to SDR who wonder what antennas they need and what sort of signals can they easily receive. The video is deliberately simple and shows what you should be able to receive on day one before moving on to the wonders of digital decoding and much much more.

00:00 Introduction
00:25 The SDR box and connecting to a computer and antenna
01:49 The radio spectrum and types of antennas appropriate for different frequency ranges
02:55 Some crude examples of wire antennas (lower frequencies through HF (shortwave))
05:55 Some examples of crude antennas for VHF and above
08:30 Examples of signals you can pick up with an SDR (from Low to High Frequencies)

The RSP family of SDRs from SDRplay cover 1kHz to 2 GHz with no gaps and give up to 10MHz spectrum visibility.

[andyschrack]

If my father was still alive and I showed him this he would be utterly amazed. He was born in 1919 and passed away in 1989. As numb as we are regarding technology today we don't realize how amazing some things are. This is a brilliant device/system.

[DV-mlfm]

I believe this hobby of shortwave is for seniors. I see many seniors doing theee tutorials.

[edwarddobrowolski]

Excellent presentation and very use-full in helping me setup my new RSPdx

[dazer]

Glad you read the comments in the old video

[Rain_Zima]

Thank you very much for this information, by the way your property is absolutely beautiful!

[zywica-music]

Thanks. You got me interested in radio again.

[jeffmothersbaugh]

Very good video. You must have some good antennas attached. I just don't get that many stations using my SDR.

[joseneves]

Thank you very much for the video so enlightening, especially with regard to antennas

[Fimpiekijke]

Hello John, great explanation, how do you make that ground plate/plane happen with that wire straight into the coax plug as you mentioned around 8:16 min In the video ? What is needed on the end of the antenna wire? Should that be a plastic isolator mount to attach the wire on?

[jagermeister]

Thank!
Interest to find out which antennas you use for receiving VLF range or how to make a coil of Dilch of reception VLF

[petersmith]

So very helpful, thank you so much for your time.

[vinnieromano]

What antennas are use using more specific please. Just bought the RSPdx

[hamandshortwaveradioirelan]

Great information for getting started 👍

[smde]

I think you did an excellent job of explaining the various antenna options. However, I would like to know if you can configure the SDRUNO software to associate a specific antenna with specific bands?

[vinnieromano]

My laptop doesn’t have a mouse just regular pad. Can I still use your sdr?

[SteveHcutabovehost]

Not sure what happened to mine, just bought one and it was picking up local radio FM and later that day went back to test it and now it will not pick up anything. I have tried unplugging it and plugging it back in and getting nothing.

[Fimpiekijke]

Great help video John, what type of antenna do I needto receive both amaterur 2 m band and airbands? I have great results with the 17 meter of wire non grounded and cover receptions from West US to Africa Ivor. coast to the far East. Really nice product exploring the airwaves with the sdrplaydx👌

[mikec]

What can i use to pickup Air and sat data download

[douggolde]

Thanks John. I just ordered my RSPdx. This will be my first radio. I see special antenna wire on Amazon. Is that marketing or for transmitting? For receive does gauge or insulation type matter?

[radioguy]

What do I do when my RSP-1A is less sensitive than my table scanner at 446 MHz?