+1 for building instead of buying!

Magloop:

• I used the https://miguelvaca.github.io/vk3cpu/magloop.html calculator, using 1inch coaxial cable, and a soviet vacuum capacitor. picture here

Delta loop:

• for 6m, horizontal polarisation: feedpoint at the bottom, impedance match with quarter-wave length of 75Ohm TV coaxial cable.
• for 30m, vertical polarisation: feedpoint on the side, connected by symmetric line, and a 1:4 current balun.

Sorry I don’t find pics for the delta loops. Please ask if you want more details!

When I’m searching for a gizmo, and finally find it, I put it back where I first started looking for it, not where I found it.

This leads to a shack that looks extremely messy for an outsider, but I can easily find my stuff.

A part of this hobby seems to have a focus on rules, and a strictness about abiding by those rules that doesn’t speak to me at all. But I’ve never been attracted to awards, contesting, diplomas. Luckily, the hobby is wide enough for us all to somehow fit into it.

So I clearly would tend towards “use all available resources”, with a hint of “not caring at all actually”. :-)

But of course, if you engage into a contest, then yes, follow the rules.

Receive-only: AirSpy makes good units, and they work with gqrx. I have an Airspy R2 and an Airspy HF+.

About sdrplay I’m not sure the driver situation is so rosy on linux.

Aside the receiver itself, you need an antenna. For VHF/UHF/SHF, a single discone antenna can be a good option, ideally roof-mounted. Otherwise, decide first what signals you want to receive, then what antenna is needed. For HF/MF/LF (and even VLF), active loops and/or mini-whips (search for PA0RDT’s design) can be good starting points. Or, if space is no issue, a long enough wire.

Before thinking about transmitting, it’s best to have an idea on 1. what bands you want to try out, 2. what signals you want to send, 3. how much space/mounting options you have available. It’s cheaper to discover what you’re interested in with a receive-only setup.

Let us know what you try out!

https://www.kicad.org/

Congrats on the build, but especially on overcoming the initial apprehension! www.g0ksc.co.uk has published lots of designs you can build too.