External Training Resources
http://greatscottgadgets.com/sdr/
Mike Ossmann has started putting together a series of videos for “study at home” on the topics of Software Defined Radio and the HackRF.
http://files.ettus.com/tutorials/labs/Lab_1-5.pdf
Balint Seeber has provided a slide deck that contains some very important information regarding GNURadio. This has exercises and lessons so that participants can try them at their own pace.
http://whiteboard.ping.se/SDR/IQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_7d-m1ehoY
The properties between in-phase and quadrature signalling is pretty important to understand when looking at signals and trying to demodulate the properties of a signal. If the website is a little too difficult, try out the youtube video.
IRC Servers/Channels
Freenode/#hackrf
Freenode/#bladerf
Freenode/#pentoo
Freenode/#kismet
SIGINT
http://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/Signal_Identification_Guide
Legal
https://www.fcc.gov/guides/interception-and-divulgence-radio-communications
Complex Systems
For the more adventurous, or for the next steps sort of stuff…
Step 1: Barrier, Feed and Ground (BFG) Principals
Understand noise sources and work your hardest to remove them. Here are some write ups regarding identification and removal of noise sources:
Step 2: Synchronize your clocks!
Some folks want to combine their RTL’s into the Übermensch. While this can be fun, it isn’t without peril. Chain them together with a synced clock source, and let the awesome flow.
Step 3: Know your offset, National Weather Service
As your radio heats up, it will drift. Cheap RTL’s are more susceptible to drift than the better SDR’s available. None the less, you need to calibrate your SDR to a known and good signal source. Use any of the National Weather Service transmitters, or similar services in your country.
162.400MHz 162.425MHz 162.450MHz 162.475MHz 162.500MHz 162.525MHz 162.550MHz
Step 4: Keep it cool
Fight signal drift and noise at the same time; dunk your SDR in a tin can full of vegetable oil!