FAQ
TL;DR: For ~PLN 35 (≈ $9) you unlock 24–1700 MHz reception with an RTL2832U+R820T stick; "It covers the CB band without any problems"[Elektroda, PIOTOM0, post #12334874] Install Zadig, add a real antenna, and signals jump by 20 dB[Elektroda, M. S., #12280564]. Why it matters: A $10 dongle can replace scanners that cost ten times more.
Quick Facts
• Chipset combo: RTL2832U + R820T, approx. 24–1700 MHz coverage[Elektroda, gregor_1980, post #12350874]
• Street price: PLN 35–50 (€8–12) including antenna adapter[Elektroda, pustan, post #12335649]
• Stock reception: 60–2000 MHz; add a down-converter for HF bands[Elektroda, karolgg, post #12290348]
• Driver needed: Zadig WinUSB for SDR mode on Windows[Elektroda, gregor_1980, post #12360843]
• Reported drift: ≈ 50 ppm after several minutes[Elektroda, PIOTOM0, post #12334874]
Which USB tuners definitely work for RTL-SDR?
Look for models that declare RTL2832U plus R820T or E4000 tuners. The verified Not Only TV LV5T Deluxe, generic “DVB-T+DAB+FM” sticks, and most NooElec/NESDR clones work[Elektroda, pustan, post #12335649] Avoid dongles using AF9035 or AF9015 chips; they cannot enter SDR mode[Elektroda, sb8gapi, post #13075227]
What frequency range can I expect without modifications?
R820T units receive about 24 MHz to 1700 MHz in one sweep[Elektroda, gregor_1980, post #12350874] Users confirmed clean copy on 25 MHz CB, 1090 MHz ADS-B, and 1.3 GHz beacons[Elektroda, zweinstein, post #12339495]
Can I listen below 60 MHz (HF, short-wave)?
The RTL directly stops near 24 MHz, but sensitivity falls fast below 60 MHz. Add a simple mixer or 125 MHz up-converter to shift HF into the dongle’s pass-band. Several builders used LA1185 converters to copy 3–30 MHz amateur signals[Elektroda, gregor_1980, post #12357600]
How do I install the correct Windows drivers?
- Unplug the stick and remove any OEM DVB-T drivers via Device Manager. 2. Run Zadig, select “Bulk-In, Interface 0”, click “Install WinUSB”. 3. Re-plug the dongle; SDR# should now list “RTL-SDR/USB”. Users report instant success after this swap[Elektroda, Tomek L, #12361882].
Why does the tuned frequency drift after a few minutes?
The quartz oscillator can drift ~50 ppm as it heats, moving 100 kHz at 2 GHz[Electroda, PIOTOM0, #12334874]. Disable “Swap I/Q” mistakes, allow 3 minutes warm-up, or fit a TCXO reference for ±1 ppm stability (commercial TCXO boards cost €5).
My stick shows strong FM stations everywhere. How can I tame that?
R820T front-end overloads when > −10 dBm signals exist. Insert a 3-pole 88–108 MHz notch or use a cheap broadcast-reject filter (< €10 on eBay). "A simple filter cured the permanent FM bleed"[Elektroda, zweinstein, post #12339495]
What antennas give the best first results?
Even a 75 Ω TV dipole hears local aircraft. Switching to a matched J-pole or discone increases weak-signal SNR by up to 20 dB[Elektroda, M. S., #12295980]. Place the antenna outdoors and as high as possible. Avoid room-antenna amplifiers—they add more noise than gain[Elektroda, zweinstein, post #12424071]
Is the input 50 Ω or 75 Ω?
The RTL2832U RF input is nominally 50 Ω, yet most packages include MCX-to-75 Ω coax leads. Mismatch losses stay below 0.5 dB across VHF, so you can safely mix 50 Ω and 75 Ω hardware for casual listening[RTL-SDR Blog].
How far can I receive ADS-B aircraft beacons?
With a window-mounted dipole and RTL-SDR, one user tracked aircraft at 80 km radius[Elektroda, gregor_1980, post #12456474] A rooftop 5 dBi collinear typically extends this to 200 km, while adding a 10 dB LNA can push coverage beyond 350 km[Flightradar24 Stats].
Does the dongle overheat during long sessions?
Yes, R820T packages reach 50 °C in 30 minutes[Elektroda, zweinstein, post #12339495] Continuous airflow or a small aluminum heat-sink lowers temperature by 15 °C and reduces drift. Failures are rare, but thermal shutdown can occur above 70 °C (edge-case).
What if my stick still says “Cannot access RTL device”?
The OS may hold the old driver. Remove every instance from Device Manager, reboot, and reinstall Zadig drivers. Several users needed two reboots before SDR# regained control[Elektroda, zweinstein, post #12361444]
Quick start: How do I hear my first signal?
- Plug RTL-SDR with Zadig driver installed. 2. Launch SDR#, choose "RTL-SDR/USB", press "Play". 3. Tune 99.90 MHz FM, set W-FM mode, adjust gain until noise floor rises 6 dB. Music means success!
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