GNU Radio – Project Update 2023 Q4

I used gnuradio to decode a remote control to a device that allowed me to then automate. I now use a Great Scott Gadgets YARD Stick One to transmit along with rfcat and python. A generic RTL-SDR device with gnuradio worked on the decoding part.

I found some good online resources to understand how to do the decoding (e.g. learning the different protocols used). You can dive into more theory (FFT etc.) of course. It was a winter break project. Pretty fun. But be warned SDR generally can be a deep rabbit hole.

One note: gnuradio is a shockingly bloated suite of software, so pick a machine you don't mind getting tons of new packages.

I suggest to get a HackRF and go through this series. You will have your first receiver working within the hour. - https://greatscottgadgets.com/sdr/

The best thing about GNU Radio is that you can connect boxes without really understanding them, or the math behind them.

There are many howtos and YouTube videos you can watch, and start picking up a little here and there. It doesn't have to be a steep learning curve.

GNU Radio supports audio I/O. You can use it with your laptop, or desktop, and speakers/mic to just build an intuitive understanding of quite a few things, without spending any money on hardware.

The $30 SDR is an amazing source of samples once you get past that point. It's quite amazing how much you can do with the the pair of GNU Radio and the RTLSDR. I built a receiver/display of VOR aircraft navigation signals, for example.