This article aims to review and compare various Android software-defined radio (SDR) applications available in the market. With the increasing popularity of SDR technology, there has been a surge in demand for high-quality Android-based SDR apps that offer users the ability to receive and decode various radio frequencies. The purpose of this review is to identify the best Android SDR app based on its features, performance, and user interface, as well as its compatibility with different SDR hardware. This article will provide a detailed analysis of each app’s capability to receive, demodulate, and decode various types of radio signals, such as FM, AM, and digital signals.
We have compiled a list of 6 Best Android Sdr App for your consideration, which have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by our team of experts.
Contents
6 Best Android Sdr App
1. HAM FM Radio (RTL-SDR)
This application offers a fun way to explore HAM radio conversations using RTL-SDR dongles. It supports the following bands: 144-148 MHz (2m), 150-174 MHz, and 420-450 MHz (70cm). Users can submit requests for additional NFM bands.
There are two ways to use the application. Users can choose to use an RTL-SDR dongle and SDR driver from Google Play. Alternatively, they can connect to an instance of rtl_tcp running on a remote computer via WiFi. However, a reliable network connection is necessary for the latter approach. It is recommended to use the driver option in most cases.
Overall, the application is user-friendly and easy to use. We hope users will enjoy their experience with it.
2. SDR Touch – Live radio via USB
SDR Touch is an Android application that enables connection between hardware SDR receivers and Android via a USB cable. It can transform any mobile phone or tablet with USB host/OTG support into a portable software-defined radio scanner and a spectrum analyzer. The application supports driver for various devices such as RTL-SDR, NeSDR, SDRplay, and HackRF.
The app allows users to listen and record live over-the-air FM stereo radio stations with RDS, emergency stations, weather reports, airplane communications, taxi traffic, HAM radio amateurs, audio of analogue TV broadcasts, digital broadcasts, and more. SDR Touch demodulates various broadcast signals such as FM, AM, narrowband FM, upper sideband (USB), and lower sideband (LSB) signals. The radio frequency coverage can span from 20 MHz to 2.2 GHz depending on the hardware used.
Moreover, the built-in RDS monitor enables exploring the hidden digital data feed that most commercial FM radio stations broadcast. This includes the station’s program type (PTY), country of broadcast (ECC), date and time (CT), unique program identifier (PI), list of alternative frequencies (AF), and advanced statistics about the digital RDS carrier signal.
The application runs offline and does not require a data plan or internet connection. Users can use SDR Touch anywhere to detect hidden radio spectrum signals.
3. MagicSDR
MagicSDR is a software-defined radio (SDR) application that allows users to interactively explore RF spectrum using panadapter and waterfall visualization, demodulate and play AM, SSB, CW, NFM, WFM signals, and collect frequencies. It is built on the principle of plug-in architecture, making it a powerful and flexible next-generation SDR application. MagicSDR is typically used for dx-ing, ham radio, radio astronomy, and spectrum analysis.
To use MagicSDR, a server must be set up on a host computer to which SDR peripherals (such as the rtl-sdr dongle) will be connected, or SDR peripherals can be connected directly to a smartphone via a USB OTG cable. MagicSDR can also emulate a virtual radio device for users who want to try the application without SDR peripherals.
MagicSDR processes signals that are streamed over the local network from the rtl_tcp server running on the host computer. The smartphone itself, where MagicSDR is running, can act as a host computer.
Supported hardware includes the RTLSDR dongle and any other radio that supports the rtl_tcp server (such as AirSpy R2, AirSpy HF+, SDRplay RSP, and LimeSDR-mini). Main features of MagicSDR include a wide band spectrum view, AM/SSB/CW/NFM/WFM demodulator, and frequency bookmarks.
Feedback and bug reports are always welcome.
4. SDR driver
The Android port of rtl-sdr’s rtl_tcp and libhackrf is a derivative work that has been released under GPL2+. The application’s source code can be obtained from https://github.com/martinmarinov/rtl_tcp_andro-. This driver enables third-party applications to implement Software Defined Radio (SDR Touch), but it should be noted that the application itself is not very useful as it is just a driver, which is capable of streaming rtl_tcp over the network.
The driver supports a range of rtl-sdr dongles, including any generic RTL2832U, DigitalNow Quad DVB-T PCI-E card, Leadtek WinFast DTV Dongle mini D, and Genius TVGo DVB-T03 USB dongle (Ver. B). Other supported dongles include Terratec Cinergy T Stick Black (rev 1), Terratec NOXON DAB/DAB+ USB dongle (rev 1), Terratec Deutschlandradio DAB Stick, Terratec NOXON DAB Stick – Radio Energy, Terratec Media Broadcast DAB Stick, Terratec BR DAB Stick, Terratec WDR DAB Stick, Terratec MuellerVerlag DAB Stick, Terratec Fraunhofer DAB Stick, Terratec Cinergy T Stick RC (Rev.
5. SDR Touch Key
SDR Touch Key offers advanced features for Android devices to fully utilize the potential of SDR Touch. The key provides access to the pro tools including Spectrum Analyser, Advanced RDS Monitor and Audio Recording.
The Spectrum Analyser displays 1 MHz of the spectrum in real time, allowing for easy identification of potential signals of interest. With the Advanced RDS Monitor, users can explore the digital RDS data feed broadcast with FM stations including PI, AF, CT, PTY, ECC, signal quality, constellation display, and RDS group statistics.
Audio Recording allows users to record their favorite tunes or any audio from the radio or HAM band in stereo sound.
To use SDR Touch Key, users must have SDR Touch already installed on their Android device. After purchasing and installing the key, users can access the pro tools and the DEMO MODE disappears. Compatibility with the USB dongle, phone or tablet should be checked before purchase.
SDR Touch is under development and therefore may be unstable. Users must agree with the Terms and Conditions in SDR Touch and fully understand that listening to some non-standard radio frequencies could be illegal in some countries. The company is not liable for any damages caused by improper usage of SDR Touch and SDR Touch Key.
6. MWK-SDR
The MWK-SDR app is the first ever news notifications app designed specifically for software defined radio (SDR) users. This app provides real-time notifications for daily news, research, tutorials, and the best SDR sources. Users can keep up-to-date with the latest discoveries in the world of software defined radio.
The app features tutorials and projects related to GNU-RADIO, RTL2832U, Hackrfone, Lime, Airspy, and more. The app was developed by M Khanfar and users are encouraged to provide feedback for future updates.
The app has undergone several updates, starting with version 1.0, which had basic functions. Version 1.1 added a menu button and useful SDR external links, while version 1.2 introduced live satellite tracking, live chat support, and group chat. Version 1.3 enhanced speed and added many functions to the menu. Version 1.4 saw the addition of a Kiwi SDR map external link, menu theme with colored icons, and tune speed browsing. Version 1.5 added FM radio and Android 10 capabilities. Lastly, version 1.6 added an external link for DragonOS and fixed bugs.
Overall, the MWK-SDR app is a valuable tool for SDR enthusiasts who want to stay updated on the latest news, tutorials, and projects related to software defined radio.