Legal & Listening Notes

Online SDRs are receive-only. Listening to publicly transmitted signals (broadcast, amateur, many utilities) is generally permitted in most countries, but there are important exceptions.

Transmitting on any frequency requires the appropriate authorisation (amateur licence, licence-exempt equipment used correctly, business radio licence, etc.). An online SDR does not give you any transmit rights.

In many jurisdictions it is illegal or restricted to listen to certain private communications (for example some mobile phone, police, or encrypted services). Even if an online receiver can tune a frequency, that does not make listening legal in your location.

Do not use public SDRs to monitor traffic that is not intended for the general public when your local law prohibits it.

In the UK, receiving most broadcast and amateur signals is fine. Restrictions exist around certain services. Always check current Ofcom guidance for spectrum use and wireless telegraphy rules.

Useful starting points:

• Ofcom
• Search Ofcom for current information on receiving and spectrum

Many public receivers are run by radio amateurs or enthusiasts at their own expense. Please:

• Respect any rules or band limits they publish on the receiver page
• Do not abuse limited user slots
• Avoid deliberately causing interference or overloading the system

Global SDR Hub simply links to publicly advertised receivers and directories. It is not affiliated with KiwiSDR, WebSDR, OpenWebRX, Receiverbook, rx-tx.info, or any individual receiver operator. Links may break; lists may become outdated. Use the live directories for the current state of the network.