[Discuss-gnuradio] Hardware questions

[Daniel Rogers]

So,

I am interested in gnu-radio, but am having a little trouble 
understanding what hardware I need to begin playing with it.

I understand that I need an ADC and a RF tuner.

What I don't understand is how to choose an RF tuner/ADC that best fits 
my needs.

The ADC you mention is the docs is 20MHz 12 bit samples 4 channel input, 
2 channel output ADC for about 1300 dollars.

I was wondering if I could find a solution that better fits my budget. 
Does anyone know something a little more affordable, or do I need to go 
with the aformentioned model to be able to reliably experiment?

Also, you mention in passing RF tuner modules.  Can I construct a 
passive impedence matching and broadband filters, or do I need to go 
with a commerical model?

Essentially, I am a programmer with a physics degree.  I have very 
little experience with this kind of hardware, though a sound 
understanding of the fundamentals.  The idea of playing with radio 
signals amuses me, but, for now, I don't have much in the way of 
disposable income and was wondering if there was a way for me to start 
playing now, rather than have to wait a while for my buget to permit me 
to begin?

--
Dan