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How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz?

Ganjor86 722746 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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  • #841 15551442
    kappav22
    Level 9  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 4
    Internick, could you help me set this up, explain how to do it?
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  • #843 15554132
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    I added two programs with changed drivers for those interested in listening to KF. Thanks to these drivers, you do not need to combine anything with the tuner and do an upconverter, just go lower with the frequency. The program receives from 13MHz up. In some cases, with a good antenna, reception is also possible below 13 MHz. I recommend these versions, or if you prefer to read, visit this page and familiarize yourself with the topic.
    http://www.rtl-sdr.com/direct-sampling-mode-hardware-modifcations/

    If you want to receive below 13 MHz, you have to turn on the tuner in the tuner settings RTL AGC and set the gain slider in the right place. Too little or too high gain and we won't hear anything. Everyone has to find the right position individually. The settings in the photo only worked on one of my tuners, on the other I had to reduce the gain.
    How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz?
    And here is the decoded transmission and there is evidence that it is receiving less than 13 MHz on a 1.25m antenna.
    How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz?

    For better reception below the 13 MHz band, if someone does not have an antenna on the HF, I recommend connecting the FP6L amplifier and disconnecting the ground from the antenna. The pictures show the effects of the cable connected only to the radiator, the mass does not touch the socket.
    How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz? How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz? How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz?
    Attachments:
    • SDRSharper 13-1500MHz.rar (4 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
    • SDRSharp 13-1500MHz.rar (6.32 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #844 15557855
    SP5IT
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 11581
    Help: 1297
    Rate: 1674
    What bandwidth do you set when listening to FM radio?
    Regards, M.
  • #845 15557870
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    FM radio from 88-108 MHz Bandwidth 180,000 Hz.
  • #846 15558021
    SP5IT
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 11581
    Help: 1297
    Rate: 1674
    Thank you. Can I listen to digital terrestrial TV and DAB radio on the replaced controller or only on the original one?

    Regards, M.
  • #847 15558807
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    On the replaced controller, you can listen to DAB + radio on this program. http://www.sdr-j.tk/index.html
    And here is the download file http://www.sdr-j.tk/windows-bin-dab.zip The program is quite good, but not yet polished photos do not decode very well and the text window is also quite small for two lines. But very good for listening. When it comes to a typical professional program, everything works perfectly, but unfortunately you have to have the original drivers and unfortunately it does not work on Vista and Win XP. http://www.ukwtv.de/cms/downloads-aside/281-dab-player-von-andreas-gsinn.html
    When it comes to TV, there is currently no program for its reception on drivers replaced for windows, although something has been written recently under Linux. http://www.rtl-sdr.com/a-gnu-radio-based-isdb-t-and-rtl-sdr-compatible-1seg-decoder/ On the original drivers, I recommend Total Media 3.5 There you can watch TV and listen to it DAB + radio. I tested it and it worked satisfactorily.
    And for everyone interested in programs for SDR, please visit the website http://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/ There is everything you need.
  • #848 15562561
    albion1
    Level 17  
    Posts: 313
    Help: 11
    Rate: 49
    After a year of time, I decided to go back to playing with the tuner. Unfortunately, after installing the original drivers, it does not catch anything at all. When replacing the drivers with SDRSharp, I only have three FM stations and this with a gain of 42dB. Have I released my dongle?
  • #849 15564438
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    It's best if you wrote what tuner it is and check it on a different antenna. But the symptoms are as if the diode is damaged at the antenna input. I had tuners without these LV5TDLX LEDs, when I had such a symptom, I knew that the FC0013 head fell, At least that was what happened with me, a small overvoltage, a spark.
    For those interested in listening to multiple channels at the same time, I added plugins for SDRSharp old and new versions in the attachments. I checked on both and they work.
    The video shows how someone tested it on 10 channels at once.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_0-9sleBx4
    I will add that the links are saved in the file Plugins.xml .
    Attachments:
    • auxvfo wersja 14.rar (13.6 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
    • auxvfo wersja 13.rar (13.35 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
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  • #850 15585193
    czakos
    Level 12  
    Posts: 85
    Help: 1
    How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz?
    Don_viking, as always, aptly :) because I still haven't dealt with this fraquency scanner; /
    Out of curiosity, I added the antennas, now I installed the nude on the top and it is currently working on it, but I wonder what amplifier to use for it.
    Ps. I ordered the Uniden Bearcat UBC92XLT, it should collect nicely on such a high mounted nagoya? Because as much as MSK from PSP I can hear, the cars a bit further into the city are just noises, I want to order 9 m of sma cable, what would I give it even higher. Goes to somehow measure which of them is doing better? Does the length of the cable have a significant impact because with the antenna cable (about 2m) it will be 11m of cable :D
  • #851 15586338
    slu_1982
    Level 26  
    Posts: 1093
    Help: 47
    Rate: 335
    I have a question regarding the two tuner versions R820T and R820T2. As standard, I installed the first version of the R820T tuner, replaced the drivers with the driver and everything worked. Later I connected the dongle with the R820T2, giving him the driver in the same way with the help of the beat. Same driver included with SDR #. In the console, R820T2 is detected as R820T. There is an inscription on the integrated circuit with a two at the end.
    What is the driver version for R820T and R820T2?
    Can I download the driver for the R820T2 somewhere?
    Are the only differences in both versions due to the improved signal input path?
    Or maybe my donglu layout only has a defined "2" at the end?
    I bought a version with a two at the end because I was hoping for better sensitivity, but nothing has changed.
  • #852 15586346
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2228
    Help: 205
    Rate: 319
    R820T2 has slightly better sensitivity and improved SNR - it is detected as R820T and does not need another driver. If you don't want to mess with reinstalling drivers or similar things in programs - it happens because different tuners have different EPROM contents, then copy EPROM contents from one tuner and upload to the other. The copying does not affect the parameters of the tuner.
  • #853 15593537
    czmar
    Level 9  
    Posts: 11
    At the outset, I want to say hi, because this is my first post.

    I have a little problem. For 2 years I used the DVB-t RTL2832U & R820T tuner, on windows 7, I only watched TV.
    Now I have upgraded my computer, a new motherboard with USB3.1, 3.0 and 2.0 sockets and additionally installed Win10.
    Unfortunately, I can't run the tuner on this set. I am trying to watch DTV and progDVB on Blaze and symptoms as if there is no signal from the Antenna. Can someone tell me what driver will solve my problem?
  • #854 15593578
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    Tuners of this type work on USB2.0 ports. I checked on others and despite installing drivers, the device program did not see. Connect to the USB2.0 port, the win10 system should detect it itself and install the drivers. It is also important that the .NET Framework is installed. At my friend's, it was like that with this tuner in a blue housing.
  • #855 15597112
    czmar
    Level 9  
    Posts: 11
    Unfortunately, it does not automatically install drivers, even in the USB 2 port. Syste detects the device and it stops there.
  • #856 15598237
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    Check the manufacturer's website if there is one and download the drivers for win10. If you do not find it, try to install those from the original board yet. I do not know what tuner you have and I do not have this system, so I do not know what to advise you. A buddy has the one in a blue housing and he works on win10 TV, he receives no charge.
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  • #857 15598252
    lysy1980
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2228
    Help: 205
    Rate: 319
    Maybe it has disabled driver downloading from Windows Update.
  • #858 15598382
    OK2STO
    Level 20  
    Posts: 260
    Help: 36
    Rate: 52
    Hello, on radioscanner.ru there is a new version of SDR Sharp 1443 in the files section.
    Jard
  • #860 15608742
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    Depending on what tuner you have, you can receive wide reception. On normal drivers from 23MHz to even 2200MHz. And on these programs, which I have put as attachments in this topic, a few posts above https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic2353101-840.html#15554132 as you can see in the pictures, you can listen even below 5MHz. If you want to change the frequency in the program, you move the mouse over the digit you want to change and you turn the wheel on the mouse up or down. Nothing changes in "config". Pickup description page depending on tuner layout.
    http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr
  • #861 15609506
    kowalsulik
    Level 2  
    Posts: 4
    In general, I have very high noise when I am waiting for some broadcast, it can be muted somehow squeletch does not work for me, and I hear stations very clean but very quiet. I have a half wave dipole. And I have something like this, suppose that the frequency is 122.800 and it receives 122.803, I did according to the instructions from my colleague's post above

    My settings
    How to use RTL-SDR on a cheap USB DVB-T tuner for HF and 64–1700 MHz?
  • #862 15609681
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    First, it is WFM that is used to receive radio stations in the 88 to 108 MHz band. You should set the NFM if you are listening from 140 to 175 MHz and there on the left you will see "Squelch" there you mark under the inscription you have 50, you set it until it stops humming.
    Set the bandwidth to 9700. And you have the aviation band set from 108 to 140 MHz and there you listen in AM modulation. I suggest you search the web for basic information about bands in Poland and the modulations used there. The fact that someone is detuned at 3kHz is sometimes the case that not all stations are in the frequency.
    In the appendix there is a description and division of frequencies old but useful as basic information.
    I also recommend the page below there is a lot of useful information.
    http://elektronikjk.republika.pl/index.html

    I recommend this program to fans of air band listening.
    https://sites.google.com/site/spamowski/lotnicze-czestotliwosci-w-polsce
    Attachments:
    • Zakres 30 MHz - 470 MHz.pdf (125.87 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #863 15613855
    flinc
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1587
    Help: 93
    Rate: 155
    Will I receive SSTV modulations on 14.230 MHz with the Up converter, often on Saturday / Sunday the radio amateurs transmit in SSB mode. Receiving images using MixW2.19 or MMSSTV, JVCom32
  • #864 15620715
    Anonymous
    Anonymous  
  • #865 15621305
    OK2STO
    Level 20  
    Posts: 260
    Help: 36
    Rate: 52
    Hi, my router worked for me.
    Jard
  • #866 15621882
    don_viking
    Level 21  
    Posts: 562
    Help: 14
    Rate: 136
    Seeing the frequency in the video, I think that it is a signal from some pumping station or other remotely monitored devices. On this search engine I entered the signal frequency and it showed several transmitters check digital or map.
    http://uke.kurylowicz.info/?q=436.9375
  • #867 15627096
    sq9gk
    Level 11  
    Posts: 7
    Hello, it is possible, in some simple way, to make such an sdr transmitter on kf?
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  • #868 15628448
    andyss
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Hello, I personally recommend the antenna for the balcony

    http: archiwum.allegro.pl/oferta/antena-nagoya-mag-79el-3w-144-430-mhz-dl-1-5m-i4434781699.html

    is the device in question, it is best to use sdrsharp

    http: rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/

    as for 172mhz, this constant carrier - it can be some cross-sectional, this is often used by analog and digital mototrbo transmission. If you want to listen, a decoder is required. best regards
  • #869 15628695
    Jezzman
    Level 21  
    Posts: 612
    Help: 25
    Rate: 103
    Gentlemen, does anyone know why after running sdrsharp dongle disconnects ?? This only happens on one desktop, is it ok on laptops?
  • #870 15628804
    shadow4601243
    Level 23  
    Posts: 482
    Help: 39
    Rate: 44
    Jezzman wrote:
    Gentlemen, does anyone know why after running sdrsharp dongle disconnects ?? This only happens on one desktop, is it ok on laptops?


    Check on a different usb port, maybe there is a problem with the power supply?
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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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