WTH I'm Doing RF Now: RTL-SDR + HackRF One (and the dumb problems I hit)
I’ve started digging into RF, meaning anything noisy in the air that my SDR can see. This is a quick log of the first sessions using an RTL-SDR (cheap, RX-only) and a HackRF One (wider bandwidth, TX-capable, which stays off outside a legal setup). This isn’t a decoding write-up. The goal for now is observation: watch the spectrum, log activity, and build something useful. The kit RTL-SDR (RTL2832U + R820T): cheap receive, wide community support, good for learning. HackRF One: wider tuning range, bigger bandwidth, better lab potential. Antennas matter more than most people want to admit. A random wire will pick something up, but it’ll also mislead you. ...