{"product_id":"sdr-starter-guide","title":"SDR Starter Guide","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat's inside\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat software-defined radio is in plain English\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy an SDR can hear P25 digital systems that analog scanners can't, for about $30\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat you need: the dongle, antennas, and software, with honest setup expectations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst setup: drivers, SDR#, SDRTrunk, and the first waterfall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListening to analog: police, fire, EMS, weather, airband, and marine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eListening to digital: P25 Phase 1 and 2, DMR, and NXDN with free software\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy antennas matter, and troubleshooting the common failures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTech-curious listeners whose county has gone digital and who want a $30-$100 path to hearing it from a computer, without a $450 scanner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs an SDR legal?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Listening to unencrypted transmissions is legal. Decoding encrypted traffic is not, and this guide does not cover it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a computer?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, an SDR works with a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. It is a home-monitoring tool, not a pocket radio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this hard to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e The guide walks through it step by step. Expect a half hour of setup for your first listen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstant download. After checkout, the PDF is delivered by email through Shopify Digital Downloads. Read it on any phone, tablet, or computer. Personal use license: buy it once, keep it forever, use it in your household.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore from PoliceRadio.org: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/encryption-explained\"\u003ePolice Radio Encryption Explained\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/police-scanner-handbook\"\u003eScanner Handbook\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/police-scanners\"\u003etraditional scanners\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo shipping, no returns:\u003c\/strong\u003e digital products are delivered electronically with no shipping fee, and because downloads are delivered instantly they are non-returnable and non-refundable once delivered. If your download link fails or a file is defective, contact us within 30 days and we will replace it or refund you in full.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"PoliceRadio.org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48291537486042,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0633\/9176\/0602\/files\/sdr-starter-guide.png?v=1785708763","url":"https:\/\/www.policeradio.org\/products\/sdr-starter-guide","provider":"PoliceRadio.org","version":"1.0","type":"link"}