A single-file software-defined radio receiver that runs entirely in a Chromium-based browser via WebUSB, requiring no installation, no internet, and no admin rights—just an RTL-SDR stick, an antenna, and `index.html` on a USB drive. The project is designed for offline and remote use cases, such as field expeditions, emergency kits, and locked-down computers, supporting FM stereo with RDS, shortwave, airband, PMR446, and general coverage from 100 kHz to 1.766 MHz.
- Decodes weather fax, Morse code (auto speed detection), and RDS, with an "Identify" menu that optionally queries shortwave.live or a web search for the tuned frequency.
- Includes a Panorama feature that sweeps up to 10 MHz at once and stitches the slices together for a wideband view.
- Built using Jacobo Tarrío's `webrtlsdr` and `signals` libraries (from the original Google Radio Receiver Chrome app), bundled into one file with esbuild.
- The US National Weather Service proposed closing its five HF radiofax stations in late 2026.
- Demo mode is available without a stick by opening `index.html?demo`, which simulates stations including FM stereo with RDS, fading shortwave, SSB, Morse, and weather fax.
- Decodes weather fax, Morse code (auto speed detection), and RDS, with an "Identify" menu that optionally queries shortwave.live or a web search for the tuned frequency.
- Includes a Panorama feature that sweeps up to 10 MHz at once and stitches the slices together for a wideband view.
- Built using Jacobo Tarrío's `webrtlsdr` and `signals` libraries (from the original Google Radio Receiver Chrome app), bundled into one file with esbuild.
- The US National Weather Service proposed closing its five HF radiofax stations in late 2026.
- Demo mode is available without a stick by opening `index.html?demo`, which simulates stations including FM stereo with RDS, fading shortwave, SSB, Morse, and weather fax.
Richard Didd has released OFFgrid-SDR, a fully offline RTL-SDR receiver that runs in a single HTML file without requiring any installation or internet access. The program utilizes WebUSB in modern browsers to demodulate various signal types and display spectrum and waterfall data, while also including built-in decoders for RDS, weather fax, and Morse code. Its primary advantage is portability, allowing users to store the application on a USB drive and run it on almost any machine with a compatible browser.
- Windows users must install WinUSB drivers via Zadig
- Linux users must blacklist DVB-T drivers
- macOS and Chromebook require no additional setup
- Project documentation is available on the developer's Hackaday.io page
- Windows users must install WinUSB drivers via Zadig
- Linux users must blacklist DVB-T drivers
- macOS and Chromebook require no additional setup
- Project documentation is available on the developer's Hackaday.io page
admin writes that multiple independent projects have discovered an undocumented feature in ESP32 chips that bypasses standard WiFi and Bluetooth functions to capture raw IQ baseband samples. This allows several ESP32 models to operate as internal SDRs covering 2.2–2.7 GHz, with the ESP32-C5 extending to 4.8–6.0 GHz at up to 80 MS/s. While most implementations are limited to snapshot-based spectrum analysis due to bandwidth constraints, the new ESP32-S31 supports continuous streaming over Gigabit Ethernet. Other projects have leveraged this feature to enable phase-coherent direction finding and a 5.8 GHz FPV video receiver.
- The ESPARGOS team is not implementing phase-coherent transmissions due to misuse concerns.
- An FPGA-based prototype by user h0m3us3r streams data continuously, though it has poor phase noise.
- The C5VRX project utilizes the undocumented IQ stream for a 5.8 GHz FPV video receiver.
- The ESPARGOS team is not implementing phase-coherent transmissions due to misuse concerns.
- An FPGA-based prototype by user h0m3us3r streams data continuously, though it has poor phase noise.
- The C5VRX project utilizes the undocumented IQ stream for a 5.8 GHz FPV video receiver.
Jenny List writes about how an undocumented feature in certain ESP32 chips allows the raw I/Q stream to be tapped before the WiFi modem, effectively turning them into software-defined radio receivers. Discovered independently by Espargos and a Reddit user, the mode supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands but is limited to receive-only operation.
- Only works on ESP32 variants with earlier Tensilica hardware; Bluetooth-only and non-radio P4 chips won't work
- Transmit capability appears possible but remains undocumented, with the discoverer refusing to share due to "rule 3"
- The 80 Msps 32-bit/sample data rate creates bandwidth challenges for external transfer via SDIO or UART interfaces
- Only works on ESP32 variants with earlier Tensilica hardware; Bluetooth-only and non-radio P4 chips won't work
- Transmit capability appears possible but remains undocumented, with the discoverer refusing to share due to "rule 3"
- The 80 Msps 32-bit/sample data rate creates bandwidth challenges for external transfer via SDIO or UART interfaces
The SkyTing-1090 project details how to repurpose an Illy coffee tin into a high-performance, active-cooled Faraday cage and ground plane for an ADSB receiver. The design uses internal baffles and ventilation mesh to house components like the Orange Pi Zero 2W while maintaining efficient airflow and RF shielding.
* Employs stainless steel mesh to block noise at 1 GHz.
* Requires specific SMA bulkhead adapters for connectivity.
* Uses a "gravity fit" acrylic baffle design.
* Employs stainless steel mesh to block noise at 1 GHz.
* Requires specific SMA bulkhead adapters for connectivity.
* Uses a "gravity fit" acrylic baffle design.
This guide provides instructions and scripts for the automatic installation of wiedehopf's readsb decoder on ADS-B receiving systems. It covers features such as easy gain and location adjustments, automatic reconfiguration of fr24feed or rbfeeder to work with the standalone decoder, and the removal of conflicting decoders.
An ADS-B decoder described as a swiss knife for decoding aircraft data. This project is a fork of Mictronics' readsb and supports various Software Defined Radio devices such as RTL-SDR, HackRF, Bladerf, and PlutoSDR. It offers robust networking options including Beast/SBS protocols and JSON output, making it an ideal backend for global flight tracking systems like tar1090.
Main topics:
ADS-B decoding via SDR hardware
Extensive network connectivity support (Beast, SBS, JSON)
Integration with mapping tools like tar1090
Support for multiple SDR device types
Main topics:
ADS-B decoding via SDR hardware
Extensive network connectivity support (Beast, SBS, JSON)
Integration with mapping tools like tar1090
Support for multiple SDR device types
A specialized ADS-B Software Defined Radio (SDR) kit designed for aircraft tracking using a Raspberry Pi. This blue R820T2 RTL2832U model features high stability with 0.5 PPM TCXO to prevent frequency drift and includes an onboard 1090 MHz filter and amplifier for enhanced signal range. The package comes with a purpose-built 8 inch 5 dBi antenna, an aluminum heat-dissipating case, and industrial-grade microSD software pre-loaded for easy setup via web browser without command line work.
Key features:
- Plug-and-play configuration via WiFi/web browser
- Integrated 1090 MHz filter and amplifier
- High-reliability industrial grade microSD card
- Aluminum case for heat dissipation and interference reduction
- Drop-in replacement for FlightAware Pro Stick Plus
Key features:
- Plug-and-play configuration via WiFi/web browser
- Integrated 1090 MHz filter and amplifier
- High-reliability industrial grade microSD card
- Aluminum case for heat dissipation and interference reduction
- Drop-in replacement for FlightAware Pro Stick Plus
An improved web interface designed for use with ADS-B decoders such as readsb and dump1090-fa. This tool provides an enhanced visual experience for tracking aircraft, featuring adjustable history, faster performance when displaying many planes, multiple map options, and the ability to select multiple aircraft simultaneously.
Key features and capabilities:
- Improved adjustable track history
- Fast "Show All Tracks" functionality
- Map dimming/darkening options
- Aircraft selection and callsign label toggling
- Support for UAT (978 MHz) display integration
- Integration with AIS-catcher for maritime tracking
- Capability to host multiple instances and custom webroots
- Heatmap visualization support when used with compatible readsb forks
Key features and capabilities:
- Improved adjustable track history
- Fast "Show All Tracks" functionality
- Map dimming/darkening options
- Aircraft selection and callsign label toggling
- Support for UAT (978 MHz) display integration
- Integration with AIS-catcher for maritime tracking
- Capability to host multiple instances and custom webroots
- Heatmap visualization support when used with compatible readsb forks
BrowSDR is a high-performance, browser-based Software Defined Radio (SDR) receiver designed specifically for HackRF devices. By utilizing WebUSB and WebAssembly, it allows users to tune into various radio modes directly within a web browser without the need for native drivers or software installation. The platform features a multi-VFO architecture for simultaneous frequency monitoring, real-time WebGL waterfall displays, and AI-powered live transcription of demodulated audio.
Key features include:
- Multi-VFO support for independent tuning and DSP settings
- High-speed signal processing via Rust and WASM
- Real-time spectrum analysis and GPU-accelerated waterfall display
- Wide demodulation support including WFM, NFM, AM, USB, LSB, DSB, CW, and raw IQ
- Built-in POCSAG decoding and RDS station information retrieval
- Remote access capabilities via WebRTC/PeerJS
Key features include:
- Multi-VFO support for independent tuning and DSP settings
- High-speed signal processing via Rust and WASM
- Real-time spectrum analysis and GPU-accelerated waterfall display
- Wide demodulation support including WFM, NFM, AM, USB, LSB, DSB, CW, and raw IQ
- Built-in POCSAG decoding and RDS station information retrieval
- Remote access capabilities via WebRTC/PeerJS
