Build, Tune, Explore with OpenWebRX+

Web-Connected Software-Defined Radio Made Simple

by Richard Murnane

Take one Raspberry Pi, an inexpensive Software-Defined Radio USB stick, and OpenWebRX+ software, and you have the makings of a powerful web-connected radio receiver. Listen to it on your mobile device, from anywhere in the world, and share your receiver online so that your friends can listen in as well. But that’s not all: you can decode data transmissions of all kinds, and share that data too. Join an international community of radio enthusiasts exploring the hidden world of radio communications: aviation, ham radio, maritime, military, weather facsimile, digital modes, and more. The radio spectrum is out there for the taking—what are you waiting for?

Turn your Raspberry Pi into a powerful, browser-based radio receiver, and discover the world of software-defined radio (SDR), one signal at a time. With just a Pi, an RTL-SDR dongle, and this book, you’ll build a fully functional OpenWebRX+ web-connected radio receiver—no prior experience needed! You’ll watch the airwaves spring to life with OpenWebRX+’s dynamic spectrum waterfall, a vibrant display of frequency, time, and signal strength that makes exploring the airwaves both visual and intuitive.

Designed for curious beginners and experienced radio hobbyists alike, this hands-on guide walks you through every step: setting up your Raspberry Pi, installing OpenWebRX+ connecting your SDR hardware, and configuring your receiver to explore everything from AM/FM broadcasts to shortwave and amateur radio, and data transmissions everywhere. You’ll learn about radio signals, where they lurk, the secrets they hold, and how to uncover them. The fun doesn’t stop there: you can open your Open WebRX+ receiver to the world, so you and your friends can tune in on your mobile devices, from anywhere on the planet.

Are you ready to surf the airwaves? Together, let’s build something amazing!

• Errata, typos, suggestions

Releases:

• B1.0 2025/08/12

Note: Contents and extracts of beta books will change as the book is developed.

• Preface
  • Who is this Book for?
  • How to Use this Book
  • Open Source is Always Under Construction…
  • Online Resources
  • Up Next: Fasten Your Seat Belt
• OpenWebRX+ Jump Start
  • Let’s Go Shopping
  • Capturing Signals with a Skyhook
  • Reeling in Captured Signals: the SDR receiver
  • Your OpenWebRX+ Server
  • Installing the Software
  • Up Next: Where Do You Think You Are?
• Basic Configuration
  • Treat OpenWebRX+ as a Web Page
  • Select a Device and Band
  • Disabling Phantom Devices
  • Modify the RTL-SDR Device Profile
  • Let’s See What We Can Hear
  • Fine Tune the Receiver Settings
  • Up Next: Let’s See What this Baby Can Do
• Operating OpenWebRX+
  • Going Over the Waterfall (No Barrel Required)
  • Enter the (Frequency) Matrix excerpt
  • Master the OpenWebRX+ User Interface
  • Up Next: The Custom(is)er is Always Right
• Customising OpenWebRX+
  • Shared Bookmarks
  • Other Things to Bookmark
  • Getting Under the Hood
  • Lord of the Files
  • Strike Up the Band Plan
  • Think Regional, Act Local
  • Up Next: Let’s See What We Can’t Hear
• Exploring with OpenWebRX+
  • Demodulator Modes, Revisited
  • Other Demodulators
  • DIG a Little Deeper with Data Decoders excerpt
  • Visit the Linking Memorial
  • Up Next: Sharing is Caring
• Sharing Decoded Data
  • What’s So Great About Aggregators?
  • No Need to Beat Them, Just Join Them excerpt
  • Up Next: Share Your Receiver with the World
• Take Your WebSDR Public
  • As Easy as 1, 2, 3…, 4, 5
  • A Fixed Abode for Your OpenWebRX+ Host
  • Port Request: Pass it On!
  • What’s in a (Domain) Name?
  • Handling Public IP Address Changes
  • Get Your Receiver on the List (and Map)
  • Up Next: Extend OpenWebRX+ (and Yourself)
• Going Further
  • Two (Radio) Heads are Better Than One
  • Think Bigger SDRs
  • Add More Demodulators
  • Ham it Up
  • But Wait, There’s More…
• Secure SHell (SSH) Basics
  • Which SSH Client?
  • SSH into the OpenWebRX+ host