On 23 Jun 2025, at 13:10, Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> wrote:
On Jun 23, 2025, Richard Owlett wrote:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so
I can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record
as MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
RTL2832U dongle and RTL-SDR should cover that. RECORDING the station
might be a little more interesting, but I don't see why it wouldn't be doable.
Note that most of the things sold with this chipset are going to be
marketed as TV Tuners; but the chip itself is capable of receiving
anything between the 630 meter and 23 centimeter bands (approx 475 KHz
to 1.2 GHz).
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so
I can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record
as MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
On Jun 23, 2025, Richard Owlett wrote:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so
I can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record
as MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
RTL2832U dongle and RTL-SDR should cover that. RECORDING the station
might be a little more interesting, but I don't see why it wouldn't be doable.
Note that most of the things sold with this chipset are going to be
marketed as TV Tuners; but the chip itself is capable of receiving
anything between the 630 meter and 23 centimeter bands (approx 475 KHz
to 1.2 GHz).
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.The chipset is important. The RTL2832U is working well and is well suported in linux.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so I
can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record as
MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
My web search turned up little relevant detail.
Suggestions?
TIA
On 6/23/25 7:10 AM, Dan Purgert wrote:
On Jun 23, 2025, Richard Owlett wrote:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so
I can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record
as MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
RTL2832U dongle and RTL-SDR should cover that. RECORDING the station
might be a little more interesting, but I don't see why it wouldn't be doable.
Note that most of the things sold with this chipset are going to be marketed as TV Tuners; but the chip itself is capable of receiving
anything between the 630 meter and 23 centimeter bands (approx 475 KHz
to 1.2 GHz).
That explains the irrelevant hits I got to my web search.
That chip can do TOO much.
I was looking for a device aimed at 88-108 MHz band with builtin antenna. [https://www.adafruit.com/product/1497 approaches my goal]
All this excess reminds me of 1990's B&W line-art precursors of cartoon at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_swing_cartoon ;/
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12
so I
can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record
as
MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
My web search turned up little relevant detail.
Suggestions?
<br></div><div>My web search turned up little relevant detail.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Suggestions?</div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Many FM radio stations now have an app or web site to listen to them. I listen to KUSC.org</div><div><br></
<div><span></span></div></body></html>
On Mon, 2025-06-23 at 06:53 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12
so I
can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record
as
MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
My web search turned up little relevant detail.
Suggestions?
Many FM radio stations now have an app or web site to listen to them. I listen to KUSC.org
Am Montag, 23. Juni 2025, 13:53:35 CEST schrieb Richard Owlett:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.The chipset is important. The RTL2832U is working well and is well suported in
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so I
can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record as
MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
My web search turned up little relevant detail.
Suggestions?
TIA
linux.
As GUI most people are using GQRX in linux, but I heard, some windows gui shall work with wine.
However, my personal success was most time with GQRX.
Maybe you might want to take a deeper look at 2823U-dongles, there are two different kinds available: One is for 24MHz up to 1,8GHz, the other one is for
100kHz up to 1,8GHz.
The difference between them ist, the one with shortwave capable got TWO tunerchips inside, one for only shortwave, the other one for vhf and uhf.
Shortwave might be intereresting if you are a radio amateur like me.
Besides, I personally got the one for shortwave not running. It is confirmed to be possible, the problem here is not the technics, but the operater (say: me).
Hope this helps a little bit.
Best
Hans
On Jun 23, 2025, Richard Owlett wrote:
On 6/23/25 7:10 AM, Dan Purgert wrote:
On Jun 23, 2025, Richard Owlett wrote:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so >>>> I can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record >>>> as MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
RTL2832U dongle and RTL-SDR should cover that. RECORDING the station
might be a little more interesting, but I don't see why it wouldn't be
doable.
Note that most of the things sold with this chipset are going to be
marketed as TV Tuners; but the chip itself is capable of receiving
anything between the 630 meter and 23 centimeter bands (approx 475 KHz
to 1.2 GHz).
That explains the irrelevant hits I got to my web search.
That chip can do TOO much.
I was looking for a device aimed at 88-108 MHz band with builtin antenna.
[https://www.adafruit.com/product/1497 approaches my goal]
That adafruit one is OK. I'm not a big fan of the MCX connector, since you're a bit tied to that antenna then -- similar to older TVs that only
had the 300-ohm twin-lead connection instead of an F-connector.
It's certainly not the end of the world by any means, just gets annoying if/when the antenna needs to be moved around for better reception (I
don't like adding adapters if I can avoid it).
All this excess reminds me of 1990's B&W line-art precursors of cartoon at >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_swing_cartoon ;/
Which bit is the "excess" here? The breadth of ranges at which the
receiver works?
On 6/23/25 9:28 AM, Dan Purgert wrote:
On Jun 23, 2025, Richard Owlett wrote:
[https://www.adafruit.com/product/1497 approaches my goal]
That adafruit one is OK. I'm not a big fan of the MCX connector, since you're a bit tied to that antenna then -- similar to older TVs that only had the 300-ohm twin-lead connection instead of an F-connector.
I mentioned the adafruit as it came up as an early hit that leaned in
general direction of my personal goal.
It's certainly not the end of the world by any means, just gets annoying if/when the antenna needs to be moved around for better reception (I
don't like adding adapters if I can avoid it).
As I'm interested in local broadcasts only, sensitivity/directivity is not
an issue. A screw post would serve for antenna connection - short wire is "good enough antenna" for my el cheapo clock radio ;}
All this excess reminds me of 1990's B&W line-art precursors of cartoon at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_swing_cartoon ;/
Which bit is the "excess" here? The breadth of ranges at which the receiver works?
Essentially ;}
Featuritis can get in way of usability.
On 6/23/25 9:00 AM, Hans wrote:
Am Montag, 23. Juni 2025, 13:53:35 CEST schrieb Richard Owlett:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.The chipset is important. The RTL2832U is working well and is well
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so I >>> can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record as
MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
My web search turned up little relevant detail.
Suggestions?
TIA
suported in
linux.
As GUI most people are using GQRX in linux, but I heard, some windows gui
shall work with wine.
However, my personal success was most time with GQRX.
Maybe you might want to take a deeper look at 2823U-dongles, there are
two
different kinds available: One is for 24MHz up to 1,8GHz, the other
one is for
100kHz up to 1,8GHz.
The difference between them ist, the one with shortwave capable got TWO
tunerchips inside, one for only shortwave, the other one for vhf and uhf.
Shortwave might be intereresting if you are a radio amateur like me.
Besides, I personally got the one for shortwave not running. It is
confirmed
to be possible, the problem here is not the technics, but the operater
(say:
me).
Hope this helps a little bit.
It does.
Searching for the various chips mentioned in this thread has been
productive. I suspect a hobbyist has solved most of my problems.
On 6/24/25 7:27 AM, Richard Owlett wrote:
On 6/23/25 9:00 AM, Hans wrote:
Am Montag, 23. Juni 2025, 13:53:35 CEST schrieb Richard Owlett:
I'm old enough to remember pocket radios of the fifties/sixties.
I looking for a USB device to plug into my laptop running Debian 12 so I
can listen to a local station while working. I'd also want to record as MP3 for listening at a more convenient time.
My web search turned up little relevant detail.
Suggestions?
TIAThe chipset is important. The RTL2832U is working well and is well suported in
linux.
As GUI most people are using GQRX in linux, but I heard, some windows gui shall work with wine.
However, my personal success was most time with GQRX.
Maybe you might want to take a deeper look at 2823U-dongles, there
are two
different kinds available: One is for 24MHz up to 1,8GHz, the other
one is for
100kHz up to 1,8GHz.
The difference between them ist, the one with shortwave capable got TWO tunerchips inside, one for only shortwave, the other one for vhf and uhf.
Shortwave might be intereresting if you are a radio amateur like me.
Besides, I personally got the one for shortwave not running. It is confirmed
to be possible, the problem here is not the technics, but the
operater (say:
me).
Hope this helps a little bit.
It does.
Searching for the various chips mentioned in this thread has been productive. I suspect a hobbyist has solved most of my problems.
I've been following links which led to multiple levels more .....
Any suggested mailing lists or USENET groups to lurk on so this newbie
would get an idea of what to search for?
Side Issue -- Google and DuckDuckGo seem more interested in quantity
rather than quality. Any pointers to search engine with friendly
Boolean search? TIA
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