On 6/23/25 9:28 AM, Dan Purgert wrote:
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.
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.
