Question 1

Will this cover ssb on vhf/uhf signals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The dongle itself doesn't demodulate anything. The SDR software you run on your PC dictates which modes you can monitor. Most software packages will demodulate/decode all analogue modes such as SSB, FM, CW, and AM. Digittal voice and data modes can be decoded with other software packages.

Question 2

Will this work with any antenna

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the wrong antenna won't work well. These are often supplied with a small magnetic base whip antenna. They are very poor. Indoor antennas don't work well, almost not at for shortwave and AM broadcast. Outdoor antennas are the best by far. Since it isn't transmitting, the length of the antenna isn't to critical. I have one that uses a 102" stainless steel CB whip on a steel pole, 25ft up. It picks up everything from the AM broadcast band to UHF. I get good FM reception and ATC from the city 75miles to the north and I can even hear the Portuguese speaking Fleetcom sat pirates around 260MHz.
I use another with an old 20 meter ham band dipole about 20 feet above my house. It picks up everything from WWVB on 60KHz to a 915MHz ubiquiti access point, 2000ft away with a sector antenna facing in the other direction.

Question 3

Is there software in existence that can allow this to auto scan specific signals like fire/ems/police?

Accepted Answer

If you want to scan a P-25 system used in many areas you need 2 dongles and Unitrunker Voice Trunking software.  The reason is one dongle must listen to the control channel and the other to the voice.  It works, is a little more complex but P-25 scanners start at about $400.

Question 4

New Tech here - surely this doesn't have transmit power - does one need a "linear" to TX?

Accepted Answer

While Ice's answer is pure comedy, it won't transmit.  Pick up an Icom IC-7300 when they go on sale at HRO.  I have one of those with a home brew 1000 watt linear amp.  It will do the job!    73' WG7B.

ASIN	B0BMKZCKTF
Analog Video Format	PAL
Best Sellers Rank	#581,886 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #4 in Shortwave Receivers
Brand	RTL-SDR Blog
Brand Name	RTL-SDR Blog
Customer Reviews	4.6 out of 5 stars 532 Reviews
Global Trade Identification Number	00783495030843
Includes Remote	No
Manufacturer	RTL-SDR Blog
Manufacturer Part Number	rtlsdr_only
Remote Control Included?	No
Tuner Technology	ADS-B
Tuner Type	ADS-B
UPC	783495030843

RTL-SDR Blog V3 R860 RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO SMA Software Defined Radio (Dongle Only) (Black)

Details

Description

Specifications

Reviews

Common Questions