This arsenal covers the essential software needed to transform raw RF samples into meaningful data. While hardware determines your frequency range and sensitivity, the software is what handles the demodulation, decoding, and analysis of the signal.
Receive
Capture raw samples
Inspect
Analyze timing/I/Q
Decode
Convert to data
Annotate
Label & Organize
Export
Use findings
Best for seeing planes and general radio browsing.
For following public safety networks. Note: Encryption varies by region.
Investigating unknown protocols and signal reverse engineering.
Automated decoding of IoT, pagers, and weather sensors.
11 tools found
dashboard
I/Q Input
A bloat-free, modern cross-platform GUI for SDR receivers. Features an excellent waterfall and native support for most common hardware.
reverse engineering
Both Input
Complete suite for investigating unknown wireless protocols. Can natively record, demodulate, and analyze packet structure.
reverse engineering
I/Q Input
Visual programming environment for building custom software-defined radios and digital signal processing systems using flowgraphs.
decoder
I/Q Input
Java-based application for decoding and tracking multiple digital radio systems simultaneously (P25, DMR).
reverse engineering
I/Q Input
Fast I/Q analysis tool for viewing and annotating recordings. Essential for visualizing bursts, timing, and symbol structure.
decoder
I/Q Input
Automatic decoder for many supported low-power sensor and remote-control protocols in the sub-GHz ISM bands.
decoder
Audio Input
Multi-protocol decoder supporting POCSAG, FLEX, EAS, and more. Decodes supported audio-based digital signals.
decoder
Audio Input
The standard application for FT8, WSPR, and other weak-signal digital amateur modes. Essential for propagation science.
decoder
I/Q Input
High-performance AIS decoder used for ship reception and decoding on the two primary AIS channels.
decoder
I/Q Input
Widely used ADS-B decoders that display aircraft data and provide map output. Foundation for many flight tracking feeders.
command line
I/Q Input
A set of command-line utilities for raw capture, demodulation, and spectrum work (rtl_sdr, rtl_fm, rtl_power).
Dashboards like SDR++ and GQRX are for live viewing. Tools like Inspectrum are for offline analysis of high-speed recordings.
Audio-based tools (Multimon, WSJT-X) need demodulated sound. I/Q-based tools (rtl_433, URH) need raw radio samples.
Most decoders and dashboards run on Linux natively. Windows support is excellent for SDR++, but specialized decoders may require WSL or Virtual Machines.