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RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector

Ganjor86 716083 1593
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Can I turn a cheap DVB-T USB tuner into an SDR receiver, and how can I make it receive shortwave too?

Yes: with an RTL2832U-based DVB-T dongle you can use it as an SDR receiver after replacing the stock DVB-T drivers with the prepared Zadig/libusb drivers and running SDR software like SDR Sharp or HDSDR [#11182116] In normal mode these tuners work roughly from 24 MHz up to about 1700 MHz, so VHF/UHF services, airband, CB, ADS-B, etc. are fine [#13168529] [#12073526] For shortwave below that range, do not connect the antenna straight to the RTL chip; direct sampling is possible but is considered risky and can damage the RTL28xx [#12073526] The safer and better-performing solution in the thread is an upconverter on the antenna input, e.g. based on TA7358/LA1185/LA1186, which users report can extend reception down to roughly 100 kHz–40 MHz [#13135481]
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  • #31 11719492
    Ganjor86
    Level 21  
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    I read on another forum that these amplifiers work well with RTL-SDR but I have no experience with it.
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  • #32 12071299
    avatar
    Level 36  
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    Hello, can anyone recommend the proven rtl + e4000 seller from all_egr? And I'm interested in how low can these tuners go when it comes to frequency?
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  • #33 12073104
    Ganjor86
    Level 21  
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    The tuners from the r810t on youtube are much better, you have a comparison with the e4000 and the lower limit of the r810 is 21MHz from what I remember and the e4000 is 55MHz. If you want to receive from 0kHz to 28MHz, I recommend direct sampling. At first glance, it may seem that this is a solution worse than up-converters, but I once wrote on YouTube to a Japanese who tested both up-converter and direct sampling, and he said that the effect on his ear is identical. It is only important to find the correct balun core and wind it correctly
  • #34 12073526
    zabex
    Level 22  
    Posts: 684
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    Ganjor86 wrote:
    The tuners from the r810t on youtube are much better, you have a comparison with the e4000 and the lower limit of the r810 is 21MHz from what I remember and the e4000 is 55MHz. If you want to receive from 0kHz to 28MHz, I recommend direct sampling. At first glance, it may seem that this is a solution worse than up-converters, but I once wrote on YouTube to a Japanese who tested both up-converter and direct sampling, and he said that the effect on his ear is identical. It is only important to find the correct balun core and wind it correctly


    As I have been using a dongle based on the R820T tuner for 3 months, I also recommend it. Band 24-1762MHz (no holes). For this the FP6L amplifier and the Discone antenna. It is really great for such equipment. As for direct sampling, I have to disagree. Such a connection is very dangerous and the RTL28XX can be damaged at any time. I compared both direct sampling and working with an upconverter, the effects are significant. Connecting the converter gives a much stronger and cleaner signal than connecting the antenna directly to the AD converter (tested on a long wire antenna). I made the converter on the LA1186 chip, so its costs are not high and the effect is much better.
  • #35 12074310
    Ganjor86
    Level 21  
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    I have written clearly about the ball :) it should be connected to the first and second pins of rtl, if you connect the longwire to rtl using a transformer, the system will not go to hell.
  • #36 12074469
    zabex
    Level 22  
    Posts: 684
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    Ganjor86 wrote:
    I have written clearly about the ball :) it should be connected to the first and second pins of rtl, if you connect the longwire to rtl using a transformer, the system will not go to hell.


    I prefer not to mix and take risks. The more that the cost of LA1186 is about PLN 2-3 ;)

    PS Could a friend write about RTLSDR with FIFI-SDR converter? The expense is considerable, but does it translate into the quality of the reception? Is it perhaps comparable?
    Of course, in the range up to 30MHz.
  • #37 12075619
    bogi
    Level 29  
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    zabex wrote:
    I made the converter on the LA1186 chip, so its costs are not high and the effect is much better.


    Could you please toss the converter schematic?
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  • #38 12075836
    zabex
    Level 22  
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    bogi wrote:
    Could you please toss the converter schematic?

    There are loads of frequency converters on the net! A bit of my friend's initiative!
  • #39 12075982
    Ganjor86
    Level 21  
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    Link link to the RTL-SDR modification I only have a balun between the antenna input and the first and second pins of the integrated circuit, I did not want to do the rest because I knew that I would soon have FiFi so I can compare only to this RTL-SDR.
  • #40 12076142
    avatar
    Level 36  
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    Ok, I found a seller on dx.com RTL2832U + R820T for $ 13.6 :) with free shipping
  • #41 12076827
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
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    On eBay I buy from auction 230902157947 $ 10.89 + free shipping, so far there have been no problems since I have been buying from him for quite a long time.
  • #42 12092013
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    I bought a Newsky TV28T v2 and it came today :D , but this would be the end of the positives: / Namely how to pick up anything on it, nowhere can I find drivers for this system (RTL2832U & R820T)
    I have installed HDSDR from this site
    Code: text Expand Select all Copy to clipboard
    http://www.hdsdr.de/

    but apparently something is still missing ...
    Because from what I read on the original antenna, I should at least be able to receive stronger radio stations, and here nothing: /
    HDSDR does not detect the device for me, I did everything as in
    Code: text Expand Select all Copy to clipboard
    http://www.wykop.pl/ramka/1341289/rtlsdr-czyli-odbieraj-niemal-wszystko-z-tunera-dvb-t/

    How to do it? The system is Win7 x64
  • #44 12092990
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    No chance, nothing works, I do everything just like in this manual. I replace the drivers with zadig, installs sdr and nothing, on the whole range you can not hear anything, only a screech in the middle of the band ...
    I even opened the case to check if these systems were actually sitting there and they are: /

    Tuner bought on this auction:
    Code: text Expand Select all Copy to clipboard
    http://www.ebay.pl/itm/Newsky-TV28T-v2-USB-DVB-T-RTL-SDR-Receiver-RTL2832U-R820T-Tuner-MCX-Input-/160896092118?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25762787d6#ht_2367wt_952


    What program should I use to check if it is receiving fm or dvb-t at all?
  • #45 12093264
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
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    Eg BlazeHDTV (should be included on the board) or ProgDVB, you only need to restore the original driver

    In SDR # you have to select the device from the list, probably rtlsdr-USB
  • #46 12093653
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    The plate was not included: / a ProgDVB 6 finds nothing. I don't know how else I can check this tuner. Tomorrow I'll take him to my sister and try him on the laptop.
    I know that my colleague zabex has the same model and everything works fine for him.

    When turning on SDR #, I get this error, and I do not have USB on the list of devices:
    RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector
    RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector
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  • #47 12094768
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
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    Are you having problems with libusb rtlsdr and msvcr100

    Check out this package.
    Attachments:
    • sdrsharp.rar (684.52 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #48 12097271
    lantin
    Level 11  
    Posts: 11
    Rate: 2
    It should look like this RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector
  • #49 12097614
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    lysy1980 wrote:
    Are you having problems with libusb rtlsdr and msvcr100

    Check out this package.


    IT WORKS!!!! :D After replacing your files with your files, reinstalling the drivers started right away :D , but in addition, I took the antenna apart and it turned out that it had cold solder and the cable core did not connect to the whip at all.
    I connected the tuner to the mesh antenna on the roof and it receives all radio stations from the area, and analog TV sound (dvb-t packages can see).

    But still it does not find any dvb-t station in PROGDVB6 (on drivers that win7 downloads itself from the net), therefore if someone has the original board attached to the tuner that looks similar and there is something besides BlazeHDTV: RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector
    then could he upload the image of this tile somewhere on the server?
  • #50 12097641
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    @lantin - It's not about the contents of the folder, because the installer gets everything you need. It's about the version of the files I provided. I have met at least 2 versions. The same is the case with ADS-B decoders (RTL1090, ADSB #) don't want to work with certain versions of files.

    @Zygmunt_
    The program from the board is BLAZE HDTV and is available on the network in the normal version (not HDTV), among others, on the hamster, while the one from the board is the HDTV version and is attached to the tuner along with the CD-KEY
  • #51 12097666
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    Oh, so if on another computer it does not want to work on this version, then should I have it on the first one?
  • #52 12097669
    lantin
    Level 11  
    Posts: 11
    Rate: 2
    zygmunt7 wrote:
    lysy1980 wrote:
    Are you having problems with libusb rtlsdr and msvcr100

    Check out this package.


    IT WORKS!!!! :D After replacing your files with your files, reinstalling the drivers started right away :D , but in addition, I took the antenna apart and it turned out that it had cold solder and the cable core did not connect to the whip at all.
    I connected the tuner to the mesh antenna on the roof and it receives all radio stations from the area, and analog TV sound (dvb-t packages can see).

    But still it does not find any dvb-t station in PROGDVB6 (on drivers that win7 downloads itself from the net), therefore if someone has the original board attached to the tuner that looks similar and there is something besides BlazeHDTV: RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector
    then could he upload the image of this tile somewhere on the server?


    What version of sdrsharp do you have?
  • #53 12097711
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    @Zygmunt_, tomorrow I will see what is on this CD, apart from the player. He writes from the phone so I can't do it today.
  • #54 12098046
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    lantin wrote:

    What version of sdrsharp do you have?


    SDR # v1.00.1114
  • #55 12098285
    lantin
    Level 11  
    Posts: 11
    Rate: 2
    What's the difference between this version of SDR # v1.0.0.1114 and v.1.0.0.1111?
  • #56 12099907
    Tommy82
    Level 41  
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    I am looking for a tuner, but I am looking for one that can handle ADS-B.
    And I would not like to buy something from a hole in this place.
    Compatibility lists device -> chipset -> tuner I found but I miss information about where is the hole, which is especially important to me.
    And here is the question someone launched ADS-B for specific models?

    Unless I was looking wrong ;) .
  • #57 12100131
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    Anything on the R820T. I have had a dozen or so pieces and they all worked on 1090MHz.
    There is also a topic on the electrode about a simple ADS-B receiver, there is a lot of information there.
  • #58 12104814
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    lysy1980 wrote:
    @Zygmunt_, tomorrow I will see what is on this CD, apart from the player. He writes from the phone so I can't do it today.


    Do you already know what's on this board? I can't start receiving dvb-t for anything: /
  • #59 12105174
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    Driver, directX and player installer.

    To run DVB-T on win7, no driver is needed from disc, only any DVB player is needed.
    Attachments:
    • Drivers.rar (5.37 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #60 12109575
    zygmunt7
    Level 12  
    Posts: 94
    Rate: 6
    This file of yours has started working again :) Only the remote control has to be programmed in ProgDVB 6, because the buttons have different functions, but that's a little trouble :)

    What is this transmission constantly broadcast on 436.495MHz?
    Attachments:
    • SDRSharp_20130324_175556Z_436495kHz_AF.wav (4.28 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion centers on using inexpensive DVB-T USB tuners, particularly those based on the RTL2832U chipset combined with various tuner modules like the R820T and E4000, as software-defined radio (SDR) receivers. These devices, originally intended for digital TV reception, can be repurposed for wideband SDR reception from approximately 25 MHz up to 1.7 GHz, covering amateur radio bands, FM broadcast, airband, ADS-B, and more. Modifications such as direct antenna connection to the RTL2832U chip pins enable reception of lower frequency bands (below 30 MHz), including shortwave, though precautions against electrostatic discharge and signal surges are necessary. Upconverter circuits based on chips like LA1186, LA1185, and TA7358AP are commonly used to extend reception down to HF and VLF bands by frequency shifting signals into the tuner's range. Various software solutions including SDR# (SDR Sharp), HDSDR, and dump1090 are recommended for Windows and Linux platforms, with driver installation often requiring tools like Zadig to replace default DVB-T drivers with RTL-SDR compatible ones. Users report challenges with driver installation, device recognition, and antenna selection, especially for frequencies outside the FM broadcast band. Amplifiers such as the FP6L and antennas like Discone or long wire are suggested to improve reception quality. Mobile and embedded platforms like Raspberry Pi and Android devices with USB OTG support are explored for portable SDR setups. The community shares detailed schematics, installation guides, and troubleshooting tips, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness and versatility of RTL-SDR dongles for radio experimentation and monitoring.
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FAQ

TL;DR: A US$13 RTL-SDR dongle with an R820T tuner covers 24-1762 MHz “Band 24-1762 MHz (no holes)” [Elektroda, zabex, post #12073526] and can be pushed to ≈100 kHz with a 50 MHz up-converter [Elektroda, sb8gapi, post #13074101]

Why it matters: One stick lets hobbyists scan HF, VHF, UHF and ADS-B without big radios.

Quick Facts

• R820T native span: 24–1762 MHz [Elektroda, zabex, post #12073526] • Direct-Sampling mod: ≈0.1–28 MHz [Elektroda, methyl, post #13657048] • Typical dongle cost: US$13–15 incl. whip [Elektroda, Ganjor86, post #12076142] • PC spec: USB 2.0 + ≥1.2 GHz CPU [Elektroda, Serwis1, post #13206155] • TA7358 up-converter parts ≈ PLN 15 [Elektroda, sb8gapi, post #13074101]

What frequencies can an un-modified RTL-SDR with R820T cover?

About 24 MHz to 1.76 GHz without gaps [Elektroda, zabex, post #12073526] That spans airband, AIS, ACARS, ADS-B, VHF FM, UHF trunked, LTE and more.

How do I install drivers on Windows XP?

  1. Plug dongle, let Windows load Realtek driver.
  2. Run Zadig v2.1 XP, Menu → Options → List All Devices, choose "Bulk-In Interface 0".
  3. Click Install WINUSB driver. After 5 s SDR# sees “RTL-SDR/USB”. [Elektroda, lysy1980, post #13511327]

I get no DVB-T after installing SDR drivers—normal?

Yes. WINUSB replaces Realtek’s TV driver. Switch USB port or reinstall OEM driver when you need DVB-T reception [Elektroda, lysy1980, post #13511327]

What’s the simplest way to receive 0–30 MHz?

Add a 50 MHz HF up-converter using TA7358 or LA1185. It mixes HF to 50–80 MHz, cost under PLN 15 and sensitivity beats direct sampling [Elektroda, sb8gapi, #13074101; Elektroda, zabex, #12073526].

Can overheating freeze the dongle?

Yes. R820T can reach >60 °C and USB disconnects appear. Resoldering the USB plug and adding small heatsinks stopped lock-ups [Elektroda, mkpl, post #13635115]

Which antenna works best for wideband scans?

An outdoor TV log-periodic or discone on 50 Ω feed covers 50–1300 MHz. For HF add Mini-Whip or 20 m long-wire plus the up-converter [Elektroda, methyl, post #13657048]

Edge case: why does FM broadcast appear at 30 MHz?

Strong local FM images alias into 26–40 MHz when the front-end overloads. Use 88–108 MHz notch or reduce RF gain [Elektroda, mkpl, post #13583266]

Can I scan automatically like a hardware scanner?

Yes. Install the ‘Frequency Manager Scanner’ plug-in for SDR#; it hops user lists at 20 channels /s and logs activity [SDRSharpPlugins].

Is spectrum-analysis possible?

RTL-SDR plus ‘RTL-Power’ or ‘Spektrum’ sweeps 24 MHz–1.7 GHz, 2 MHz steps, ~30 dB dynamic range—handy for EMC checks [majek, 2013].

How do I add HF direct sampling without removing the tuner?

On R820T boards, wire a 1:10 transformer to RTL pins 4-5, select “Direct Sampling Q” in SDR#. This keeps VHF/UHF intact [Elektroda, BOOM i ZONK, post #13914702]
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