Revised: February 9, 2025
The purpose of this website is to describe a modern and practical approach for amateur radio enthusiasts to build and operate sophisticated software defined radios (SDRs). Building and operating SDRs for amateur radio is more simple than you might think.
Building SDRs has never been more approachable for the amateur. Modern SDRs software can be implemented using digital signal processing (DSP) software readily available as a download from the internet. The software is comprehensive in the sense that they can provide complete control of the SDR frequency for reception and transmit functions as well as a range of demodulation options. The modern SDR hardware devices are founded on sophisticated integrated circuit modules (ICs) the simplify operation on radio frequencies, RF integrated circuits (RFIC) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) greatly simplify the hardware to computer interconnection.
The remaining challenge to building a complete SDR station with these modern components is in the design and construction of the radio accessories common to all radios. These radio accessories include receive pre-amplifiers, transmit amplifiers, RF filters, relay and rig control functions, among others.
This website addresses up to date SDR software options as well as SDR device (hardware) options. The descriptions and recommendations are based on our individual experiences and our exposure, over the years, to others who have experience with SDRs. The software and hardware options are enumerated and outlined in general. Internet links will direct you to primary and secondary sources for additional in depth information, detailed application instructions, and radio examples.
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John (W7FU)
Email: W7FU@icloud dot com