Project Hub /Test & Measurement Instrumentation/Multimeters, Voltmeters & Ammeters/SDR dock 1.0

Intermediate

RASPBERRY PI

₹5,000 – ₹15,000

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

SDR dock 1.0

A Raspberry Pi-based open-source software-defined radio (SDR) device featuring a custom tactile interface with knobs, sliders, and a 3D-printable enclosure.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Raspberry Pi 3 - Model B+ 1.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core Processor with 1 GB Ram (Original) Rs. 5,400.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
2-Slot 18650 Holder with Protective Cover and On/Off Switch – Case Rs. 109.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
Battery (generic / unspecified)
ADC / DAC (ADS1115 / MCP3008 / MCP4725)
Potentiometer / Trimpot
Enclosure / Box / Case
Thyristor / SCR / Triac / Varistor / Fuse
and an SDR dongle (e.g., RTL-SDR

Browse all components

How It Works

The SDR dock 1.0 integrates computing, software-defined radio hardware, and a physical control surface into a single portable unit powered by a Raspberry Pi 5. Radio frequency signals are received via an SDR dongle connected to the central computer, which runs software such as GQRX or GNU Radio Companion to process, demodulate, and visualize the RF spectrum on a 7-inch LCD screen. To provide a tactile operating experience rather than relying solely on a touchscreen or mouse, the system uses a Raspberry Pi Pico acting as a custom HID keyboard and control device. The Pico reads analog inputs from four slider potentiometers, four rotary controllers with integrated switches, and a volume potentiometer with a switch, alongside various push buttons. For analog-to-digital conversion needs in the interface or auxiliary measurements, an ADS1115 ADC is incorporated. The entire assembly is housed within a custom 3D-printed enclosure and kept mobile using a 10K mAh battery managed by a dedicated battery charger module.

Why Build This

Build a portable, self-contained workstation for RF signal exploration, spectrum monitoring, and amateur radio communication.

Develop custom physical control interfaces by programming a microcontroller as an HID device to interface with advanced DSP and SDR software.

Design and assemble a complete embedded measurement instrument featuring power management, custom 3D-printed mechanical housing, and analog-to-digital conversion.

Real-World Application

RF signal exploration, amateur radio communication, spectrum monitoring, and scheduled audio recording on specific radio frequencies.

Skills You'll Learn

HID keyboard firmware development

analog-to-digital conversion

I2C communication

power management and battery integration

software-defined radio configuration

3D-printed mechanical assembly

Safety Precautions

Ensure proper handling of Lithium-ion batteries and proper BMS integration to prevent short circuits.

Technology Tags

SDR

RASPBERRY PI

PYTHON

3D PRINTING

GQRX

GNU RADIO

HARDWARE DESIGN

UI CONTROLS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the function of the Raspberry Pi Pico in this build?

The Raspberry Pi Pico functions as a custom HID interface controller, reading user inputs from the potentiometers, rotary encoders, and buttons and translating them into standard USB keyboard or controller commands for the SDR software.

Can I use any SDR dongle with this dock?

Yes, the system is designed to support standard USB SDR dongles like the RTL-SDR or Airspy Mini, provided they are compatible with the operating system and software packages like GQRX or GNU Radio Companion.

How is the system powered portably?

The dock is powered by a 10K mAh battery paired with a dedicated battery charger module, requiring careful integration of a battery management system (BMS) to ensure safe operation and charging.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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