homebrew-sdr

This repository is a collection of Homebrew formulas and directions to install various SDR software components. After much pain and suffering always trying to get thing installed properly I started using Homebrew which has really simplified the process. Certainly each install will be different, but I hope this provides a good foundation to get up and running with your SDR.

Currently, there are formulas for:

• Python
• GNU Radio 3.7.10
• rtlsdr
• gr-osmosdr
• GQRX 2.3.2
• gr-gsm

This installation works for macOS Sierra 10.12.3.

Install XCode

You'll need to install Xcode and the Commandline Tools first. This installation was successful with Xcode 8.

xcode-select --install
softwareupdate --install --all 

Install Homebrew

ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install)"

Install Python

brew install python
brew cask install xquartz

brew tap homebrew/python
brew install matplotlib
brew install numpy
brew install scipy
brew install sphinx

# Dependencies
pip install Cheetah
pip install lxml
pip install sphinx
pip install Pillow    # required for running the heatmap.py script

Install Dependencies

brew install gsl
brew install pygtk
brew install wxpython
brew install boost
brew install cppunit
brew install fftw
brew install zeromq
brew install doxygen
brew install uhd
brew install portaudio
brew install sdl
brew install jack
brew install swig
brew install sip

Install GNU Radio

Installing GNU Radio usually takes about 25 mins. The formula will make sure all dependencies are met.

brew tap gsong2014/homebrew-sdr
brew install cmake   # install cmake-3.3.2 since gnuradio doesnt like newer versions

# version 3.7.10
brew install gnuradio

Install SDR Tools

I'm using the RTLSDR dongle. For other SDR devices, install the desired driver before installing gr-osmosdr and gqrx. Check this page for more information.

brew install librtlsdr 
brew install bladerf --HEAD
brew install gr-osmosdr gr-baz --HEAD
brew install gqrx

Install gr-gsm

brew install libosmocore --HEAD
brew install gr-gsm --HEAD

SDR Testing

GQRX

Navigate to the Applications folder and launch GQRX. The application should launch and you should be able to see click the power button on the top left side of the interface to start. Then begin playing with all of the buttons.

RTL_Power

After installing the rtlsdr library, there are several python scripts that you can begin to use. The easiest one to use is the rtl_power located in /usr/local/bin. This blog give a good overview of specifics. Here is an example:

rtl_power -f 90M:120M:8k -g 50 -i 2 -e 1h data.csv

The -f command specifies a range of frequencies to scan(lower:upper:bin size). -i sets the collection time in seconds/minutes/hour(s/m/h) format. -e sets the run time(though you can always use ctl-c to exit). And then give a file to save data to.

After recording data, use the heatmap.py file to generate an high resolution image of the spectrum. It looks something like this:

python heatmap.py input.csv output_file.png

LimeSDR

This setup works on my machine. YMMV...

brew install nlohmann-json pygtk
pip2 install six
brew install pygobject3 gtk+3

brew install -d -v --build-from-source --with-python2 soapysdr
brew install -d -v --build-from-source --with-images limesuite
brew install -d -v --build-from-source --HEAD gsong2014/sdr/volk
brew install -d -v --build-from-source --HEAD gsong2014/sdr/pothos-lime
brew install -d -v --build-from-source --HEAD gsong2014/sdr/gnuradio
brew install -d -v --build-from-source librtlsdr
brew install -d -v --build-from-source --HEAD gsong2014/sdr/gr-fcdproplus
brew install -d -v --build-from-source --HEAD gsong2014/sdr/gr-osmosdr
brew install -d -v --build-from-source gsong2014/sdr/gr-limesdr

Do not forget to define the path to the gnuradio-companion blocks:

export GRC_BLOCKS_PATH=$(ls -d /usr/local/opt/*/share/gnuradio/grc/blocks | tr '$\n' :)