Software Defined Radio (SDR)
If ever you wanted to try out software defined radio here is an inexpensive way to play. The hardware can be purchased from Amazon or from Ebay and the cost is way less than purchasing the flex radio or Apache labs SDR radios. This is a receive only radio but it is very versatile and has lots of free software to choose from and different modes it can be used for listening with the various software that is currently available on the RTL-SDR web site. The web address for the site is www.rtl-sdr.com . The site has lots of information about the dongle a quick start guide featured articles a link to software a forum it also has a link to the wiki page and there is a link to purchase the dongle and the guide on the web page as well. You can also find videos on YouTube of various demonstrations of the dongle and operating modes that are available for use with this dongle. If you want to use it for listening to the ham bands you will have to purchase an up converter which can be found on Amazon from NOOELEC but you will have to purchase the up converter and the housing for it separately and sill cost less than purchasing the flex and apache labs radios. I am not putting down those radios they are a very good product I am just saying if you are interested in giving SDR radio a test drive this is an inexpensive way to get started and then once you are ready to take the step to purchasing a Flex radio or an Apache Labs SDR radio the learning curve might not be so hard for you and besides its fun to play with and offers something else to challenge yourself at learning about our ever evolving hobby so have fun and enjoy.
73,
Tim
KB3OSF