So it turns out, that just by changing a DLL file in SDR# and changing from Quadrature to Q Branch, you can get HF on a dongle without an upconverter or modifications to the hardware. And most surprising of all is it actually works ok. I do have some AM broadcast breakthrough and I will need to add in a Highpass filter to remove it, but other than that, it looks like it works quite ok.

So i bought an RTL-SDR dongle to play with. And after fighting with windows 10 to install the drivers and then fighting with the software to recognize the dongle I finally got it working and able to receive signals. Connected to a 40m dipole, its not really the best antenna to be receiving VHF and above, but after a few tests listening to a local 2m repeater, a bit of simplex from my HT on 2 and 70cm, i figured it was time to actually look for some signals to listen to.

So with SDR# running, I tuned into Brisbane Air Port air traffic control for a bit of a stickybeak to see whats going on. Also at the same time, I have started to play with screen recording software and video editing software with the plan to start making the odd youtube on what I am doing. Anywho, with all that in mind, I do have some plans for different things to do with the dongle. I have some bits and pieces in the mail already to add to this and well watch this space, more to come. Oh and the reason why i got this was to use it to learn how to use GNU Radio. That is the ultimate plan and to learn some things as we go about doing that.

Here is a little video from earlier: