How to setup RTL-SDR on Fedora
This is how you set up software-defined radio on Fedora. You'll need a cheap Realtek RTL2832U TV dongle. I used this one from Amazon.
Install Driver
You need to install OsmocomSDR which is essentially a special driver for your TV dongle.
sudo yum install libusb-devel
git clone git://git.osmocom.org/rtl-sdr.git
cd rtl-sdr/
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ../
make
sudo make install
Add rtl-sdr lib path to ldconfig
This is necessary on Fedora.
sudo su
echo '/usr/local/lib' > /etc/ld.so.conf.d/rtl_sdr.conf
ldconfig
Disable default driver
There is a default driver module provided automatically called dvb_usb_rtl28xxu
. You need to "blacklist" or prevent this driver from loading.
sudo su
echo 'blacklist dvb_usb_rtl28xxu' > /etc/modprobe.d/rtl_sdr.conf
- Reboot your computer.
Test rtl-sdr is working
Run rtl_test
and ensure the output is free of errors.
Get Gqrx
Gqrx is a simple/easy to use SDR receiver that gives you a spectrum and waterfall UI.
sudo yum install gqrx
Simply run Gqrx, it should auto-select the correct device. This is what mine looks like:
Hit the top-right power button icon to turn on the spectrum analyzer. Enjoy!