RTL-SDR dongles

[italia2006]

I want to this rtl-dsr again after I failed miserably with noolec nesdr smart dongle. Couldnt get to work after hours of trying and watching tons of YouTube videos. Im pretty sure from what I've been reading that the noolec smart nesdr isnt friendly with sdr# or any other program. Any luck with any? There is one on Amazon but unavailable( the one I see in lots of videos ) any help for a newbie. Don't have 650 for sds 100 at the moment. Doing ok with WS1080, but want some new toys

 

[w2lie]

Have you tried my free SDR Course? I use a Nooelec NESDR in the videos and show how to install the drivers and setup SDR# in the course.

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios

Free Software Defined Radio Course

scannerschool.teachable.com

 

[italia2006]

No but I will now. Thank you. I ended up returning the nooelec dongles. I got easily frustrated.

 

[italia2006]

Just enrolled!!!!

 

[lwvmobile]

Im pretty sure from what I've been reading that the noolec smart nesdr isnt friendly with sdr# or any other program.

I may be wrong, but I'm not entirely sure why or if that would be the case. From what I can tell, they use the RTL2832U and R820T2, and if the software isn't even paying attention to the tuner, it might not even be able to tell the difference between it and a stock generic DVB-T dongle. The only thing that may be a hick up would be just making sure to install the Zadig driver and have that rtl.dll (can't remember exact file name) in the SDR# directory.

Just as an aside, though, also give SDR++ a shot.

Release SDR++ v1.0.4 · AlexandreRouma/SDRPlusPlus

IMPORTANT: SDR++ is currently released on a rolling release model. This version is quite old, download the nightly build instead. Changes: Added M17 decoder module Added higher FFT sizes up to 512...

github.com

You'll need to install the VC runtime stuff for SDR++ if you don't already have it as well. Can't remember if you need x86, x86_64, or both.

Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads

This article lists the download links for the latest versions of Visual C++ Redistributable packages.

docs.microsoft.com

 

[boatbod]

I have numerous Noelec dongles and they work just fine for me. My usage environment is exclusively Linux, so I'm running GNURadio based software such as op25 and gqrx.

 

[maus92]

I have about 5 Nooelec TCXO dongles - no problems (except I've had one or two fail over several years.). They work well.

 

[GTR8000]

I would steer clear of the Nooelec NESDR SMArt dongles at this point. I used to be a fan of them when they first came out, however I've experienced a high failure rate with them. Of the 6 I've owned over the years, 4 are now dead.

Before anyone tries to make the case for operator error or abuse...this ain't my first rodeo, I've been running these RTL dongles for years, going back to the generic cheapo $10 DVB dongles off eBay circa 2012. I've owned RTL-SDR.com blog dongles, Nooelec dongles, FlightAware dongles, and the aforementioned generic DVB dongles. Only the Nooelec have failed out of two dozen or so I've owned. I've got some original RTL-SDR.com blog dongles from 2015 that were running side-by-side with the Nooelec for the past few years, and those are still going strong, while the Nooelec are taking up space in a landfill at this point. Even some of the Nooelec that were replaced under warranty subsequently failed, and so game over.

 

[Ubbe]

I've have a couple of those original 2015 RTL-SDR and one has been connected to a RaspberryPi for a couple of years when it suddenly died. It isn't even recognized in windows. I've checked a couple of voltages on the circuit board and seems to be ok. So I will need to get a new one but I've read that it might be some quality issues with the latest versions? They fail after a short time of use and drift in frequency?

/Ubbe

 

[maus92]

I had a Nano 2 fail outright - it got very hot in use (even with heatsink fins attached,) so I assume that it was heat related. The other Nooelec that failed was a SMArt black dongle. I took it apart to discover a visibly burned / melted component near the USB plug end. There is some heat transfer foam installed, but it was not contacting this particular component. The other 5 I own are various ages, none newer than 2 years old.

 

[KC3ECJ]

Maybe it's because it's a newer version of SDR #, but I tried installing their stuff and drivers on another computer and I couldn't get it to recognize that the RTL SDR was there.

 

[maus92]

Make sure when you install (replace the default) drivers with Zadig, you select the Composite device and not the Bulk interfaces.

This is a helpful guide to properly install drivers:

http://www.unitrunker.com/v2/fga-zadig.html

 

[sjacket99]

I use both the NooElec and RTL-SDR.COM dongles. But I use NooElec more. They might cost a few dollars more, but I like the small size of them and don't have to worry about clones. Like you do with the RTL-SDR.COM.

 

[PDXh0b0]

my last purchase was june 9th of this year(I always buy 2 each time) later that month I started seeing posts is various areas about issues with the Nesdr Smart. Too many post to dismiss as user errors, perhaps this was new stock, that were all faulty in one degree or another. There have also been a few windows updates since then that had changed the driver. Switched over to linux with the dongle(where it work as it should) lead me to check windows for the issue. sure enough the dongle driver was flagged in device manager.

love my Nooelec products, this seems like a bad batch issue

 

[KC3ECJ]

Make sure when you install (replace the default) drivers with Zadig, you select the Composite device and not the Bulk interfaces.

This is a helpful guide to properly install drivers:

http://www.unitrunker.com/v2/fga-zadig.html

Doesn't work or it can't find the drivers giving me problems.

It would be nice if they had this packaged up in an .exe installer that did things more automatically

 

[slicerwizard]

don't have to worry about clones. Like you do with the RTL-SDR.COM.

They don't sell clones.

Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

Login to your account Where to Buy RTL-SDR RTL2832U DVB-T Tuner Dongles At RTL-SDR.com we sell significantly improved premium RTL-SDR dongles but keep our profits low and offer free shipping in order to maintain low retail pricing. We strongly believe that our V3 and V4 dongles are currently the...

www.rtl-sdr.com

 

[maus92]

Doesn't work or it can't find the drivers giving me problems.

It would be nice if they had this packaged up in an .exe installer that did things more automatically

Sounds like you have other issues with your PC, or just operator error. Post up some screenshots of Device Manager highlighting the USB sections with the sdr devices plugged in.

 

[maus92]

If you installed your RTL-SDR devices properly, the should be listed under "Universal Serial Bus devices." In the example below, Nesdr 002 and Nesdr 003 are Nooelec RTL devices; I have changed their Friendly Names to something more descriptive. You would probably see a more generic device name like RTL2838xxxx

 

[foxtail]

I have two from some time ago with a PPM of +87 and +86. Both were bought at the same time.
Once warmed up, they run 24/7 no problems.