The YARD Stick One from Great Scott Gadgets, also known as Yet Another Radio Dongle, is a remarkable software - defined radio. It can send and receive digital wireless signals at frequencies under 1 GHz. It shares the same radio circuit as the well - known IM - Me. By connecting it to your computer via USB, you can access all the radio functions that were once only possible by customizing the IM - Me firmware. It's perfect for listening to RF emitters and transmitting on ISM bands. Just remember to check your country's ISM frequencies before transmitting. If you're a HAM license holder with a wide transmitting frequency range, it's even more of a great fit! Its capabilities are outstanding. It has half - duplex transmit and receive functions. The official operating frequencies are 300 - 348 MHz, 391 - 464 MHz, and 782 - 928 MHz, with unofficial frequencies from 281 - 361 MHz, 378 - 481 MHz, and 749 - 962 MHz. It supports modulations like ASK, OOK, GFSK, 2 - FSK, 4 - FSK, and MSK, and can achieve data rates up to 500 kbps. It uses Full - Speed USB 2.0. The YARD Stick One comes pre - installed with RfCat firmware, courtesy of atlas. This allows you to control the wireless transceiver from an interactive Python shell or your own computer program. It also has CC Bootloader installed, so you can upgrade RFCat or install your own firmware without extra programming hardware. Note that an antenna is not included, and ANT500 is recommended as a starter antenna. Based on the ToorCon 14 Badge design, it has many unique features such as an SMA connector for external antennas, a receive amplifier for better sensitivity, a transmit amplifier for higher output power, strong RF performance across the whole operating frequency range, a low - pass filter for the 800 and 900 MHz bands, antenna port power control for compatibility with HackRF One accessories, a GoodFET - compatible expansion and programming header, and GIMME - compatible programming test points.
Using the YARD Stick One is easy. First, connect it to your computer via the USB port. You can then start using the RfCat firmware to control the wireless transceiver from an interactive Python shell or your own program. When using it for transmitting on ISM bands, always check your country's specific ISM frequencies to avoid any legal issues. If you're a HAM license holder, you can take full advantage of its wide transmitting frequency range. Remember, the antenna is not included, so you'll need to get one. ANT500 is a great starter option. For maintenance, keep it in a dry and clean place. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures and humidity. If you want to upgrade the firmware, you can use the CC Bootloader without the need for additional programming hardware. Just follow the standard procedures for firmware installation.
