[Discuss-gnuradio] New job offshore - get into radio?

[Jago Pearce]

I will soon be starting a job travelling all over the world on boats offshore.

Bearing in mind that while I love to try out other people's code I can't program, I get the basics but could never get the hang of using other peoples code.

I would like to entertain myself at sea and stave off the boredom. Noting that a moving boat is too awkward for satallite (not wanting to disturb the ships captain or onboard large dish and GPRS out of range), and laws regarding radios what would be a good idea to spend money on?

On the one hand USRP from ettus is only £450. On the other why spend such an amount on something that could be a 5 minute wonder, or be too complicated for me to work on? How far can I get on a Motorola Surfboard 3200 cable modem instead?
In fact, can WIFI hardware be modified to do more than originally intended? Is there other cheaper ways to start?

I already find software based radio facinating. The potential for a device to do Satallite, HDTV, cell phone, PCS, ISM and goodness knows what else all in one box I find astonishing and even good value for £450! But is the reality that such a device could be confiscated or too awkwardly non turn-key for me to use?


Comments, Advice, Suggestions?