Indeed.
Where are you on your journey - just starting out or picking up after a break? Also interested to know how you decided on the hardware you have. I assume you use the mini-pc for something other than ADSB?
When I started out, I had a DVB-T TV stick with a Belling Lee connector ( IEC 61169-2) and a dipole made from of a bit of flex hanging from the curtain rail. But hey, we’ve got to start somewhere.
This is my current configuration: https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/what-does-your-setup-look-like/57866/285?u=technodevotee.
Only change is that I now run VRS on a 4GB RPi.