Software-defined radio is a radio communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer or embedded system.

What is the difference between a traditional radio and a software defined radio SDR?

A software defined radio differs from a traditional radio in several ways. The biggest difference is in how RF is detected and demodulated. A SDR uses a quadrature sampling detector (QSD) that divides the incoming waveform into an in-phase or (I) signals and quadrature (Q) signal.

What does SDR mean in ham radio?

Software Defined Radio attempts to place much or most of the complex signal handling involved in communications receivers and transmitters into the digital (DSP) style. In its purest form, and SDR receiver might consist simply of an analog-to-digital convert chip connected to an antenna.