Unitrunker sees radio, Zadig setup is correct, but radio won't start

[Horseflesh]

I have an RTL2832U dongle, which I have configured with Zadig, and have used for some other SDR tasks like decoding ADSB data.

I just fired up Unitracker 2.1.0.108, which seems to see the radio OK. Unfortunately, in going through the first use instructions I have hit a blocking issue that I cannot figure out... If in the VFO window I put in a freq and click the "play" button... Nothing happens. The header just says "Stopped" and there is no other sign of life.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[maus92]

Post a screenshot of how the sdr appears in Device Manager, and make sure to restart the program after making changes.

 

[Unitrunker2]

Please confirm your SDR is one that is supported.

https://unitrunker.com/SDRs.html

Also make sure no other SDR software is running. They're famous for locking out other programs from accessing the SDR.

If it a supported model and no other software is running, please post a more complete (not cropped) image of the SDR window.

 

[Horseflesh]

It should be supported under "generic" Realtek RTL2832U -- but an incompatibility would certainly explain things.

I double checked Zadig, and I have one device listed. But interestingly, the rtl_sdr suite shows this device error.



If I fire up sdrtrunk, it seems to work -- I get a waterfall display.

Device Manager:



I restarted the program and even Windows to make sure another app didn't have a hold of the receiver.

Here's the radio info:



And VFO 1:



If this doesn't yield soon I may just buy a new one. This dongle sucks anyway, it has a PAL antenna port and adapting it to SMA is half the cost of a new dongle with SMA.

Thanks guys!

 

[Unitrunker2]

What tuner chip is inside this thing?

If you do get a new Realtek based SDR, make sure it has TCXO. The link I shared above shows which tuner chips are supported. The Elonics, Fitipower, and Future Comm chips - common in generic SDRs 10+ years ago - are not supported.

 

[Horseflesh]

I thought it was the R820T, but I couldn't find the exact link to what I got. So... I popped the case.

Ta da, Elonics. This must be older than I thought!



Thanks for the help guys! Sorry for the wild goose chase.

@Unitrunker2 I'll be sure to pick a decent one with TXCO from your compatibility list. The NESDR looks like the best specs in the $30 range.

 

[Unitrunker2]

Beware the XTR from Nooelec. That also has an E4000 chip.