Zeus software

[Blackswan]

I’m looking into SDR software.  I’m old school and I’ve always liked radios with lots of knobs and controls. I have a Belka, which can be connected to a pc, but I’m going to get my feet wet with a SDR dongle, the RTL-SDR V4.  I was looking at various software options for this and most of them were very foreign looking to me. But one did catch my attention, Zeus software for about $20. I like it because the layout reminds me of a communications type radio. Has anyone used this software?  Opinions?

B.S.

[ChrisSmolinski]

I’m looking into SDR software.  I’m old school and I’ve always liked radios with lots of knobs and controls. I have a Belka, which can be connected to a pc, but I’m going to get my feet wet with a SDR dongle, the RTL-SDR V4.  I was looking at various software options for this and most of them were very foreign looking to me. But one did catch my attention, Zeus software for about $20. I like it because the layout reminds me of a communications type radio. Has anyone used this software?  Opinions?

B.S.

Since you asked for an opinion... Mine is to take the $30 that an RTL-SDR V4 sells for and set it aside. Save some more money, and get an AirSpy HF+ Discovery or SDRPlay SDR. You will find either infinitely better than trying to use an RTL dongle on shortwave.

[Blackswan]

Thank you.  I appreciate your opinion. I already have purchased the RTL. I didn’t want to spend a lot on a SDR until I decide to go that direction. I just purchased a Belka and a Tecsun 501, plus I have several other very capable receivers I have purchased over the years both new and used.  Plus I have sold several others in the fifty years I’ve been into shortwave. I am not comfortable with the whole SDR thing yet, just experimenting.

B.S.

[RobRich]

The RTL-SDR V4 with its integrated upconverter is much better than the older RTL-SDR V3 in direct sampling mode, so at least you got that going for ya'. :)

The RTL-SDR V4 should suffice for casual HF listening, especially for the flamethrower SWL broadcast stations, area HF amateur nets, etc.

Just do not plan on much serious weak signal reception work. For example the RTL-SDR devices have an 8-bit ADC, so dynamic range is more like 48dB or less. For comparison the dynamic range of an Airspy HF+ Discovery with its 18-bit design (with 16-bit scaling) is more like 110dB. That is before we get into selectivity, sensitivity, image rejection, etc.

For much the same reasons take care regarding overloading and oversaturating your RTL-SDR. Think relatively basic preferable outdoor antennas like maybe a 6'-9' vertical fed against a ground rod, 10m-band horizontal dipole, 45'-60' loop-on-ground, etc. to start.


There are numerous open source and freeware SDR client apps available.

SDR# is popular with the RTL-SDR crowd. You might find the "SDR# Big Book" PDF doc on the same download page helpful.

https://airspy.com/download/
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/

Other popular SDR clients:

https://www.sdrpp.org/
https://www.sdrangel.org/
https://www.hdsdr.de/
https://www.sdr-radio.com/console

And even more:

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/