Installing and Using SDRTrunk on Linux for Live Trunk Tracking with an RTL-SDR (2024)
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SDRTrunk isa cross platform Java based piece of software that can be used for following trunked radio conversations. In addition to trunk tracking it also has a built in P25 Phase 1 decoder. Compared to Unitrunker SDRTrunk is an all-in-one package, and currently it supports most trunking system control channels, but unlike Unitrunker it still misses out on some systemsEDACS and DMR.
Over on his YouTube channelAVT Marketinghas uploaded an excellent 6-part video series that shows how to install SDRTrunkand the Java runtime environment on Ubuntu Linux. The sections covered include, installing Java, setting the Java environment variables, installing other SDRTrunk prerequisites such as Apache Ant and the JMBE audio codec for decoding P25, and finally actually using and setting up SDRTrunk. Like all of AVT’s other videos, this is an excellent tutorial that takes you through the entire process from the very beginning so is useful for beginners as well.
Installing SDRTrunk & Java JRE on Ubuntu Linux
If you’re new to trunking: Trunking systems are typically used with handheld radio systems (e.g. those that police, security guards, workmen etc carry around). The basic idea is that each radioconstantly listens to a digital control channel which tells it what frequency to switch to if a call is being made. This allows the frequency spectrum to be shared, instead of designating one fixed frequency peruser which would be very inefficient. But this system makes it difficult for scanner radios to listen in to, because the voice frequency could change at any time. Therefore software like Unitrunker and SDRTrunk which can decode the control channel is required. In addition many new systems use digital audio like P25 or DMR which requires digital decoders like SDRTrunk or DSDPlus.
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Related posts:
Frugal Radio: SDR Guide Ep 6 – Trunk Tracking Public Safety Systems with UniTrunker and SDRTrunk
SDRTrunk Setup and Use Tutorial
SDRTrunk 0.4.0 Alpha 9 Updates Highlighted
SignalsEverywhere: Setting up a Broadcastify Feed with SDRTrunk
Listening to and Tracking NXDN/IDAS Trunking Systems with two RTL-SDRs
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Anonymous
1 year ago
#236079
This software remains propellerhead bullsh*t. It worked once upon a time but both packages assume dependencies upon dependencies and if you have anything they would consider ‘nonstandard’ the build will fail
-1
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Andrew Robinson
6 years ago
#94586
Did complete setup can see traffic i.e after defining channell map and the software does not follow MPT1327 all setting and instructions as per exact description. This software has never worked for me so i can only assume non functional useless for xubuntu linux os 64 bit systems
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Marty Hillman
6 years ago
#84899
I would love to figure out how to program in the talk groups. That has been my stumbling block. I seem to be getting police, fire, ambulance, and transit all in the one trunk stream since Minnesota is using a combined system for all services statewide. I could not figure it out on 0.3.0, so now am trying 0.2.0. I somehow got the region narrowed down so I am no longer listening to everything in the state, but a narrower field would allow me to focus on one agency.
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Robert
7 years ago
#84743
From what I can see Version 0.3.0 Beta 12 Isn’t not ready for prim time . How many dongles does this program need to run ??????????? From what I see from the wright up it looks like a winner . Those wizards of the Black Arts always are coming with new things . What i am surprised at is how fast things are happening in the world of SDR .
I’m running it for all my audio streaming. One dongle minimum, but the more, the better. I run with 3 dongles, serving 4 different streams with a mix of trunked P25 and conventional P25. The streams are split based on the talkgroups, and with the way it does streaming, there is absolutely 0 missed calls… ever.
GNU Radio - A free and open-source software development toolkit that provides signal processing blocks to implement SDR systems. SDRangel - A versatile SDR software with a modular design that supports a variety of SDR devices and enables advanced signal processing.
The RTL-SDR can be used as a wide band radio scanner. Applications include: Use as a police radio scanner. Listening to EMS/Ambulance/Fire communications. Listening to aircraft traffic control conversations.
If you are using our RTL-SDR-Blog driver branch you can force the bias tee to be always on by setting a flag in the EEPROM. The rtl_eeprom command is "rtl_eeprom -b 1". Run the opposite command "rtl_eeprom -b 0" to disable the forced bias tee.
Unless developing or testing new features for HackRF, we highly recommend that most users use build systems or package managers provided for their operating system. Our suggested operating system for use with HackRF is Ubuntu.
Typical RTL-SDR dongles use a relatively obscure MCX RF connector. The V3 uses commonly used SMA connectors, so it is easy to obtain adapters, connectors and antennas for the unit. SMA connectors also last longer.
The downsides of the RTL-SDR is that it can't transmit and that the tuner range usually stops before the commonly used 2.4GHz band. Once you get into the higher-end radios, you not only get transmit capabilities, but also a wider tuner range and sample rate.
The RTL-SDR Dipole Antenna Kit is a good way to get started if you don't already have one or more suitable antennas. It contains various cables and antennas. There are 14 cm short and 1 m long telescopic antennas, each of which can be combined into a dipole.
The RTL-SDR receiver is a simple but very useful device. It can receive signals from 25MHz to about 1700MHz. It can be used to scan the aircraft VHF AM voice band from 118 to 137MHz and then the Marine VHF FM band from 156 to 164MHz.
You may start R‑Studio for Linux from the terminal using the following command: For R‑Studio for Linux : rstudio .For R‑Studio for Linux Technician : rstudio-tech . Note: You need to elevate your privilegies if you're not the root to start R‑Studio for Linux .
IDA supports a wide range of executable formats for different processors and operating systems. It can be used as a debugger for Windows PE, Mac OS X Mach-O, and Linux ELF executables as well.
Compatible with every Pi. The PiSDR is a Raspbian based operating system for the Pi pre-loaded with multiple Software Defined Radio software. It was created to serve as a fast and reliable bootstrap for SDR projects.
Introduction: My name is Patricia Veum II, I am a vast, combative, smiling, famous, inexpensive, zealous, sparkling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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