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Build Your Custom Superheterodyne Broadcast Receiver

Paul Maine conducted experiments with GNU Radio and an RTL-SDR dongle, resulting in the creation of an SSB receiver. He generously shared the process in a video included below, providing step-by-step instructions.

Build Your Own Superheterodyne Broadcast Receiver
Build Your Own Superheterodyne Broadcast Receiver

Build Your Custom Superheterodyne Broadcast Receiver

In the world of software-defined radio (SDR), a notable tool that has gained traction is the GNU Radio Companion. This tool, often referred to as a fancy shell over some Python code, provides a user-friendly interface for mapping software to blocks in a manner similar to designing a traditional receiver.

One of the most engaging tutorials on this subject comes from Paul Maine, also known as "Paul the SDR guy." In a series of videos, he demonstrates how to build a Single Sideband (SSB) receiver using GNU Radio and an RTL-SDR dongle. He also delves into the underlying concepts and mathematical principles of SSB modulation.

The topic of SSB receivers involves some mathematics, a common aspect when discussing this subject. An Amplitude Modulation (AM) signal, for instance, has most of its power in the carrier and half of what's left in a redundant sideband. By stripping out the carrier and redundant sideband and amplifying just one sideband, better performance can be achieved in an SSB receiver.

Compared to an AM receiver, an SSB receiver has better performance due to the elimination of the redundant sideband and carrier. This results in a more efficient use of the radio spectrum and improved signal quality.

Paul Maine's tutorial is a great starting point for those new to GNU Radio. He suggests beginning with audio signals to get familiar with the software. The tutorial, which started a decade ago, is still worth working through for those trying to get started with GNU Radio.

In addition to his videos, Paul has made IQ samples off the air available for testing in an SSB receiver design. These samples serve as a practical way for learners to apply their newfound knowledge.

For those interested in the origins of this tutorial, a blog post by Gary Schafer is a valuable source of information. Schafer's post inspired Paul Maine to create his video series, making it an essential read for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the world of SSB receivers and GNU Radio.

Paul Maine's video, where he demonstrates the SSB receiver and explains how to generate SSB, is available below. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced radio enthusiast, this tutorial provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the world of SSB receivers with GNU Radio.

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