Gnu Radio. Gnu radio is a powerful software defined radio sdr tool for linux systems. Newkirk called them the unsung fathers of amateur radio.
Gnu radio is both a python library and graphical front end for generating python radio programs. However if you are a daily windows user and want to play with sdr building it on windows is a huge challenge even in linux. Gqrx is a software defined radio receiver powered by the gnu radio sdr framework and the qt graphical toolkit.
An elmer is a person who teaches and offers guidance to neophyte amateur radio operators.
It can be used with readily available low cost external rf hardware to create software defined radios or without hardware in a simulation like environment. However if you are a daily windows user and want to play with sdr building it on windows is a huge challenge even in linux. Free open source mac linux dvb t radio player add a feature. It can be used with readily available low cost external rf hardware to create software defined radios or without hardware in a simulation like environment.