List of popular software-defined radios

If you're in the market for a software-defined radio, you've got a wide range of options to choose from.

One of the most popular options is the HackRF One, a highly portable and versatile radio that can be used for a variety of applications, including hacking, testing, and learning.

The BladeRF 2.0 is another highly-regarded option, known for its high-performance capabilities and wide range of frequency support.

The Airspy, a popular choice among amateur radio enthusiasts, offers high-sensitivity reception and a user-friendly interface.

Software-defined radios are commercially available and can be used for a variety of purposes.

They can be used for shortwave listening, which involves tuning into radio signals that are beyond the standard broadcast range.

Some software-defined radios are designed specifically for amateur radio use and offer high performance capabilities.

These receivers can significantly outperform general-purpose receivers in terms of sensitivity.

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Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) have revolutionized wireless communication in a big way. They're used by a diverse group of people, including electronics and DSP engineers, amateur radio hobbyists, physicists, cybersecurity professionals, and financial service providers.

Some of the many applications of SDRs include point-to-point wireless links, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G handsets and base stations. Aircraft trackingSatellite imageryDrone and UAV control and networkingSmart gridRadarGateway for industrial Internet of Things (IoT)ExperimentationAmateur radioEmergency responders and public safety communicationRadio astronomy

In an ideal software radio, there's zero percentage of analog signal processing. The signal is directly sampled at the antenna and all subsequent functions are carried out in a digital machine.

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If you're looking for a general use software defined radio, look no further. General use SDRs have a wide frequency range and no focus on any specific frequency band.

One popular example is the RTL-SDR, which is still the best 'bang for your buck' out there. Its performance is surprisingly good, making it a great choice for those on a budget or just starting out with SDR or radio.

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The cost of a software-defined radio (SDR) can vary greatly, with some options available for as low as $43 USD and others costing over $1,100 USD.

The LimeSDR is a popular option that falls in the upper middle part of the price range at around $700 USD. It has a frequency range of 100 kHz to 3.8 GHz and a 12-bit ADC resolution.

Another well-known option is the HackRF One, which costs around $300 USD and has a frequency range of 1 MHz to 6 GHz. It's an open-source SDR that has been used for demonstrations of RF hacking in cybersecurity conferences.

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The BladeRF is a more expensive option, costing around $420 USD, but it has a 12-bit ADC resolution and a larger maximum bandwidth of 28 MHz.

If you're looking for a high-performance SDR, the Elad FDM-S1/S2 is a good option, with a cost of $379 USD/$580 USD and a frequency range of 80 kHz - 30 MHz, 30MHz - 200 MHz (Under sampled) / 9 kHz - 52 MHz, 74 MHz - 108 MHz, 135 MHz - 160 MHz.

Here's a comparison of some popular SDRs:

The Perseus SDR is another high-end option that's great for DXing, with a cost of $1,100 USD and a frequency range of 10 kHz - 40 MHz.

The RTL-SDR is a popular option for those on a budget, with a cost of around $43 USD and a frequency range of 3 kHz - 30 MHz and 50 MHz - 1.7 GHz.

The FunCube Dongle Pro+ is another option that's known for its 16-bit ADC resolution and 11 discrete hardware filters with two sharp SAW filters, but it has a small bandwidth of only 192 kHz.

The Elecraft KX3 is a great example of a standalone SDR radio, with a frequency range of 1.8 KHz to 50 MHz. It's a bit pricey, with a kit cost of $899.95 USD and an assembled cost of $999.95 USD.

One of the unique features of the KX3 is its ability to connect to a PC sound card via its IQ output port, allowing it to act as a computer-based SDR. This can be a real game-changer for ham radio enthusiasts.

The KX3's frequency range makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from shortwave listening to HF communication. It's a versatile radio that can handle just about any task you throw at it.

Another option is the SDR radio, which can be purchased for $100 USD. It has a frequency range of 0 kHz to 14.4 MHz and 24 MHz to 1.7 Ghz.

The HackRF One is a popular software-defined radio model that's widely used for its versatility and affordability. It has a 20 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range.

The BladeRF 2.0 is another notable model that offers high-performance capabilities, including a 70 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range and a sampling rate of up to 120 MHz.

The Per Vices Crimson is a top-of-the-line SDR with a hefty price tag of $6750 USD.

It has a frequency range of up to 6 GHz, which is impressive.

The Crimson also boasts a massive 1200 MHz of bandwidth, making it suitable for demanding applications.

This bandwidth is processed on the onboard Altera Arria V ST (SoC), which is a significant advantage.

The SDR features four independent receive and transmit chains, allowing for simultaneous processing.

Data is sent through a 20 Gbps SFP+ data link, which is incredibly fast.

A very accurate +/- 5 ppb OXCO oscillator is also included, ensuring precise frequency control.

This SDR is marketed more for industrial and research purposes, making it a great choice for those in those fields.

The Elad FDM S1-S2 is a high-performance SDR that's a favorite among SWLers. It's known for its excellent dynamic range.

The FDM-S2 is a newer version of the S1, with an improved ADC resolution of 16 Bits. This makes it a great choice for those who need a bit more precision.

The FDM-S1 and FDM-S2 have a frequency range of 80 kHz to 30 MHz, with the S2 also covering 135 MHz to 160 MHz. This makes them versatile options for various applications.

The SDRs are available in two price points: $379 for the FDM-S1 and $580 for the FDM-S2.

The SRL QuickSilver QS1R is a high performance SDR that fits in a specific niche. It has a frequency range of 10 kHz to 300 MHz.

Its ADC resolution is 16 Bits, which is a decent amount of precision. This SDR can only receive signals, it doesn't have transmit capabilities.

It has a max bandwidth of 4 MHz, which is significantly lower than some of the other SDRs out there. The SRL QuickSilver QS1R does come with preselectors, which can be useful for filtering out unwanted signals.

Its price is $899.99 USD, which is a relatively affordable option.

The WinRadio WR-G31DDC Excalibur is a high-performance SDR with a frequency range of 9 kHz - 49.995 MHz.

It has a 16-bit ADC resolution and a max bandwidth of 2 MHz.

This SDR is designed for RX only operation.

It features a MW filter as its preselector.

WinRadio also offers more SDRs with higher performance, and some can even plug directly into a PCIe card slot.

The WR-G31DDC Excalibur is a great option for those who need a high-quality SDR for specific frequency ranges.

It's worth noting that WinRadio's SDRs are known for their high performance and accuracy.

The WR-G31DDC Excalibur is a great choice for those who want a reliable and accurate SDR for their needs.

HF Radios are designed for specific purposes. They are either optimized for listening to the ham bands or for listening to shortwave radio (SWLing).

Some HF radios are fully assembled and compact, while others are designed for specific tasks like listening to the ham bands or shortwave radio.

The Airspy HF+ is a low-cost high-performance SDR for HF reception, expected to cost $149 USD.

This radio has a frequency range of DC - 31 MHz, 60 - 260 MHz and uses advanced technology like polyphase harmonic mixers and sigma delta ADCs.

The Airspy HF+ has a max bandwidth of 768 kHz and is a receive-only device.

Radio amateurs and shortwave listening hobbyists have had high-performance SDRs for some time now. These receivers will usually significantly outperform more general-purpose receivers in terms of sensitivity.

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Portable radios are a great option for those who want to stay connected on the go.

One notable example is the Portable SDR, a finalist in the Hackaday prize that's still under development.

It's a stand-alone device that doesn't require a computer, making it super portable and compact.

The Portable SDR uses a 168 MHz ARM processor and has a color display for easy navigation.

This innovative interface makes it easy to use, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.

The Portable SDR can receive and transmit signals, offering flexibility in its use.

Its frequency range is 0 MHz to 30 MHz, making it suitable for various applications.

The device's max bandwidth is unspecified, but it has an ADC resolution of unspecified bits.

The Portable SDR's preselectors are also unspecified, but it's clear that the developers are focused on making it a powerful tool.

Overall, the Portable SDR is an exciting development in the world of portable radios.

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Modified and custom radios offer a unique twist on traditional software-defined radios.

The Janielectronics Receiver is a notable example, built on a custom-made PCB that fits into an original dongle casing.

This approach differs from most other modified dongles that simply retrofit an existing RTL-SDR dongle.

The Per Vices Noctar is a high-performance SDR that fits in a PC's PCIe slot. It provides up to 250 MHz of bandwidth, making it a great option for industrial and research purposes.

This SDR has a 12-bit ADC resolution for receiving and a 16-bit ADC resolution for transmitting, giving it a good balance of sensitivity and dynamic range.

The Noctar has an onboard Altera Cyclone IV FPGA, which allows for complex signal processing and customization.

It can interface with GNU Radio, making it a popular choice among developers and researchers.

The Noctar is priced at $2499 USD, which is relatively affordable compared to other SDRs on the market.

The DX Patrol Receiver is a modified dongle designed by CT1FFU, a well-known manufacturer of HF upconverters. It's a great tool for shortwave listening enthusiasts.

This receiver has a frequency range of 100 kHz to 2 GHz, making it suitable for a variety of applications. The preselectors included in this device help to improve its performance.

The DX Patrol Receiver is an affordable option, with a price tag of $105 USD.

Modified RTL-SDRs are a popular option for those looking to get into software-defined radio. They're often modified versions of the original RTL-SDR dongle, with added features like HF filtering and upconverters.

The cost of a modified RTL-SDR can vary, but some examples include the modded RTL-SDR V3, which costs $19.95 USD, and the Janielectronics Receiver, which costs $129.99 USD.

One of the key features of modified RTL-SDRs is their frequency range, which can vary from 500 kHz to 1.766 GHz in the case of the RTL-SDR, and up to 1.75 GHz in the case of the modded RTL-SDR V3.

Some modified RTL-SDRs come with preselectors, such as the DX Patrol Receiver, which has a low-pass filter, and the Cross Country Wireless SDR Receiver, which has band-pass filters.

Here's a brief comparison of some popular modified RTL-SDRs:

Modified RTL-SDRs can be a great option for those looking to get into software-defined radio, but it's worth noting that they may require additional filtering to remove interference from strong broadcast AM stations.

The LNR PRECISION Model LD-11 SDR HF transceiver is a great example of an outdated modified RTL-SDR.

The KiwiSDR, on the other hand, has a 14-bit ADC resolution.

It's worth noting that the KiwiSDR doesn't have preselectors.

Adding a "Last Updated" field to the article would be a great idea, especially since some products listed are newer than the article itself.

Zao's Soft66RTL/Soft66Q is a modified RTL-SDR that might be of interest to some users.

Unfortunately, the Soft66Q's documentation doesn't explicitly state whether it can do 2-meter Fusion C4FM.