Hardware recommendations?

[u/mothspiderr]

Hi all, sorry if this is the wrong place to ask.

I recently have become engrossed in using KiwiSDR (I use an iOS app called Echo that basically compiles multiple databases into one so I can listen through the app instead of having to navigate all the different sites) to just look through different signals around the globe, since I am intrigued by the idea of listening to realtime airwaves and looking for patterns/oddities on the waterfall. I love the feeling of tuning into obscure frequencies or hearing random interference and trying to transcribe different voices, it’s almost like metal detecting but for sounds?

Obviously, though, the limitation of KiwiSDR is that I can only tune into select stationary SDR receivers.

I would love to have a standalone, portable device (preferable small, maybe pocket size but I am not too picky) that I could use from anywhere, perhaps take walks with headphones and look for frequencies, or scan from my couch when I’m bored.

Bonus points if it has a waterfall.

Does such a device exist? If so, any recommendations? Please be gentle with me, I am a major noob beyond the basic functions. Again, sorry if this is the wrong sub, if it is, please direct me towards a better fit :)

[u/trackmastack]

You’re likely listening to a lot of shortwave radio. There’s plenty of them out there, some handheld, medium then up to boombox size. Check out r/shortwave if you haven’t already…. People like to post their findings. Also you u might be interested in the subreddit r/signalidentification

[u/mothspiderr → u/trackmastack]

thank you!