So I decided on installing a new shortwave reciever for Linux now that my laptop has it, and GQRX seems to be the best one. Plugged it in, couldn't get it to work for the life of me, then suddenly, pop,. started working.

Oh, man, this works so much better than SDR Sharp. I can actually HEAR things with this. Apparently it has a better static filter, and suddenly I'm hearing stuff left and right. IT's the same stuff as before - but at the same time - it's LEGIBLE now. I don't just see the frequency, I can hear them as more than a Charlie Brown adult "Wwa waaaa waaaa" sound.

@dolari what distro of Linux?

@kf4yfa - I use Linux Mint. I used to be an Arch Linux girl, but then thought "If I mastered the hardest distro, betcha the easiest will be REALLY nice." :D