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

Ganjor86 716092 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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  • #361 14357952
    darek89a
    Level 9  
    Posts: 11
    lysy1980 wrote:
    hardcore
    it is hardcore for me, I do not know electronics and without a converter I can listen to something else
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  • #362 14358671
    bogi
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1135
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    Mostly FM modulation is possible in the range of 50-2100 MHz.
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  • #365 14360959
    ety
    Level 14  
    Posts: 197
    Help: 3
    Rate: 17
    Yes, I just meant if this newer version offers any more possibilities. I can wait, it's not on fire :) How do you think it's worth it?
  • #366 14381161
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #367 14381314
    RAFPOL5
    Level 17  
    Posts: 139
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    Rate: 41
    No converter without converter you pick up nothing below 60Mhz
  • #368 14381444
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
    Help: 204
    Rate: 316
    RAFPOL5 wrote:
    Without the converter, you won't receive anything below 60 MHz


    This is not entirely true, it depends on the tuner layout, and the R820T will easily pick up a band of 11 meters including 19 CB.

    Of course, you need a suitable antenna, 100% not the "stump" from the set.

    ety wrote:
    Yes, I just meant if this newer version offers any more possibilities. I can wait, it's not on fire :) How do you think it's worth it?



    I will say this, I ordered 2 pieces out of curiosity.
  • #369 14381512
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
    Rate: 103
    lysy1980 wrote:
    I will say this, I ordered 2 pieces out of curiosity.


    When it comes to you, show off here what interesting it can do :D Because it makes me curious :)
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  • #370 14381549
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #371 14381607
    methyl
    Level 16  
    Posts: 183
    Help: 2
    Rate: 32
    You can make the antenna, no need to buy. At the beginning, buy or make, for example, an adapter for a coaxial cable, such as for a TV, from a funny antenna cut off from this funny antenna. It does not have to be the special 50 ohms standard in radio communications.
    So a cable like for a cable with a soldered plug that fits the USB dongle. You need to have enough cable so that the antenna can be placed outside the apartment.
    There can be a balcony, preferably with an extension arm or a window sill, but you also need to move the antenna away from the wall of the building. You'll have a better reception.
    As for the antenna itself, it depends on what you want to listen to.
    At the beginning, you only need a rod of a random length soldered to the middle wire of the cable. It will be more professional to calculate the appropriate dimensions of the antenna for a specific frequency. And even more cossack but more expensive, buy a DISCONE broadband antenna and heat it up on the roof.

    kisses
  • #372 14381708
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    The tuner in the attached picture has an IEC connector, you do not need to buy vias, only an antenna plug or an F plug and reductions from F to IEC (available, among others, in DIY stores), and connect the antenna with an RG6 cable (also available in supermarkets)
  • #373 14383471
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #374 14386870
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
    Rate: 103
    Gentlemen, I need your help because I'm losing my patience :(
    For some time I have had sharp disturbances that can be seen in the screenshot below. Today I wrapped the tuner with sandwich foil and the interference slightly disappeared, but another problem arose, after touching the usb port on the tuner with a screwdriver / knife, everything improves, if I do not touch this port with a screwdriver, it is sneezing, someone has any idea to remove these disturbances? The tuner is powered on an extension cord from the computer's USB port, wrapped in silver foil and enclosed in a plastic box. Best regards.

    RTL-SDR - an SDR receiver from a cheap DVB-T tuner on a USB connector
  • #375 14386913
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    Rate: 316
    Connect the ground and see if it improves anything. Connect the grounding on the disconnected computer from the mains supply.
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  • #376 14386958
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
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    lysy1980 wrote:
    Connect the ground and see if it improves anything. Connect the grounding on the disconnected computer from the mains supply.


    I have the earthing connected a long time ago, the new electrical installation also has no problems with earthing.
  • #377 14387106
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    But where are you connected to the ground?
  • #378 14387164
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
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    Rate: 103
    lysy1980 wrote:
    But where are you connected to the ground?


    Nom the pin in the socket is ...
  • #379 14387260
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    Do you use a laptop or a desktop computer? The fact that there is a prong in the socket (of course connected to the ground) does not mean that the ground is on the computer housing.

    If you have a multimeter, check (by touching the pin in the socket and / or the strip) whether the grounding is on the computer casing and on the USB port. If it is a laptop, then 99% there is no grounding on the laptop casing, and thus also on the USB ports, and thus it is not on the tuner.
  • #380 14390448
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    There will be a post under the post, but I do not know if anyone mentioned modified drivers for receiving frequencies from 13MHz on tuners with the R820T chip?

    In the attachment, the SDR SHARP package is enough to replace the files and run the program.
    Attachments:
    • SDR__LIB.zip (299.85 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #381 14390503
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #382 14390539
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2222
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    Rate: 316
    Has been on the forum many times.
  • #383 14390558
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #384 14392170
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
    Rate: 103
    lysy1980 wrote:
    Do you use a laptop or a desktop computer? The fact that there is a prong in the socket (of course connected to the ground) does not mean that the ground is on the computer housing.

    If you have a multimeter, check (by touching the pin in the socket and / or the strip) whether the grounding is on the computer casing and on the USB port. If it is a laptop, then 99% there is no grounding on the laptop casing, and thus also on the USB ports, and thus it is not on the tuner.


    I use a desktop computer, the pin in the socket is connected to the ground, I know because I did the installation myself in this house, because after all, I am an electrician ;) The grounding on the computer casing is, as a curiosity, I will add that the same interference is when I use SDR with a laptop and a tablet, being with the same set, i.e. dongle + tablet in a completely different place, this interference was not Oo. I had a Not Only tuner that year The TV and later also showed such disturbances, although when I bought it, they were not there ....
  • #385 14392307
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
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    Well, let me tell you it's strange. It is true that I have various types of disruptions myself, including from energy saving light bulbs, converters in power supplies and other electronic equipment in the home. But, for example, after going outside the building (I live in a detached house) with a MiniWhip antenna on a mast made of PVC tube and a laptop, I have a surprising improvement in noise and of course the reception becomes clear but only if I take the Lenovo X61, I also have the T60 and the latter it generates interference even if I touch the Touch Pad, of course while running on the battery.

    If I were you, I would have thought about grounding and its various connection points to the computer and the tuner itself (from the USB or antenna side).

    The second option is that the tuners themselves either start to die slowly, or after a certain period of work they start to work differently, they heat up mercilessly. Alternatively, voltage regulators or converters built into the tuner begin to sow ...
    These are my wishes, I have never really approached the fight against interference with RTL-SDR. To listen to the frequencies that interest me, I use devices designed for this.
  • #386 14403151
    phonemen
    Level 11  
    Posts: 51
    Gentlemen, I apologize in advance for the lame question, but will someone quickly enlighten me what Tablet will go under SDR (I have a tuner) but I do not know if a specific tablet model is needed or a droid? some info quickly would come in handy because I'm going to buy.
    Sory at the last minute.
  • #387 14403273
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
    Rate: 103
    phonemen wrote:
    Gentlemen, I apologize in advance for the lame question, but will someone quickly enlighten me what Tablet will go under SDR (I have a tuner) but I do not know if a specific tablet model is needed or a droid? some info quickly would come in handy because I'm going to buy.
    Sory at the last minute.


    The tablet is probably one stick, as long as it has a USB OTG, nom and it would be better if it had two cores for my eye, because with one core, the applications do not make, I mean SDT Touch and RF Analyzer :)
  • #388 14404416
    Thunder6995
    Level 13  
    Posts: 192
    Help: 1
    Rate: 16
    welcome back :)
    I would like to ask again about the R820T2 version - are there any perceptible / noticeable differences from the previous version :?:
    I ask those who have already played with the newer version, without theorizing, I would ask :D :)
    best regards :)

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    Jezzman wrote:

    The tablet is probably one stick, as long as it has a USB OTG, nom and it would be better if it had two cores for my eye, because with one core, the applications do not make, I mean SDT Touch and RF Analyzer :)

    I would not be so sure, there are tablets that have OTG, and for example an external modem (eg HSDPA) will not support it.
    I wonder how with SDR ...
    I'm just sharing my thoughts - please don't lynch :)
  • #389 14404637
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
    Rate: 103
    Jezzman wrote:

    The tablet is probably one stick, as long as it has a USB OTG, nom and it would be better if it had two cores for my eye, because with one core, the applications do not make, I mean SDT Touch and RF Analyzer :)

    I would not be so sure, there are tablets that have OTG, and for example an external modem (eg HSDPA) will not support it.
    I wonder how with SDR ...
    I'm just sharing my thoughts - please don't lynch :) [/ quote]

    If the tablet has USB OTG, SDR-A will definitely support it ;) I have already tested several tuners on several tablets and phones with different android versions and they worked without any problems :D As for the HSDPA modem for usb, they will also handle it, but you need to know how to run them :D
  • #390 14405256
    Thunder6995
    Level 13  
    Posts: 192
    Help: 1
    Rate: 16
    In that case, I will not discuss any further (my theory versus your practice :) )
    At one time I tried to run Huawei e173u-2 on my Toshiba Folio 100 with CM (Androszmelc 4.1.2) and despite many attempts it failed. Of course there was OTG. Maybe it was an isolated incident, maybe I didn't know everything then :)
    PS. I have just read that people even run SDR on some Manta, so in the current tablets, even the cheap ones, it shouldn't be a bigger problem :)
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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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