Eric61
Member
Modify/Revive old RTL stick
I bought 2 of these inexpensive RTL sticks for just over $12 each almost 3 years ago.
IEIK SDRICE RTL-SDR FM DAB DVB-T USB Stick Set with RTL2832U & R820T Great SDR for SDR# ADS-B Receiver Set Radio Compatible ICE Input
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SY1X51I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They did OK on strong signals but not so well on anything else. Due to the style of the antenna connector, I was unable to use anything other than the supplied antenna. There were no pigtails for this type of connector. (images 1 &2)
Recently, I popped open the case to see if I could change the antenna connector, and saw that it might be possible with the right connector. After a short search, I found these. (image 3)
BNC Female Right Angle Single Pin Soldering PCB Mount Connector 3Pcs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016JPU5JU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
$4.67 for 3 with free shipping. It did take a couple weeks to ship from China, but I was not in a hurry.
The old connector was barrel-shaped and had solder bridges on either side of the connector to the large solder pads on each “leg” of the board. The antenna input was a wire that was soldered to a hole in the board. (image 4)
I did have to modify the new connectors so they would fit in the case, and also did a little work on the circuit board as well. The new BNC connectors are slightly wider than the old connector, so a sharp pocket knife whittled the inside edges of the “legs” to widen the space. It doesn’t take much. (image 5)
continued in part 2
I bought 2 of these inexpensive RTL sticks for just over $12 each almost 3 years ago.
IEIK SDRICE RTL-SDR FM DAB DVB-T USB Stick Set with RTL2832U & R820T Great SDR for SDR# ADS-B Receiver Set Radio Compatible ICE Input
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SY1X51I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They did OK on strong signals but not so well on anything else. Due to the style of the antenna connector, I was unable to use anything other than the supplied antenna. There were no pigtails for this type of connector. (images 1 &2)
Recently, I popped open the case to see if I could change the antenna connector, and saw that it might be possible with the right connector. After a short search, I found these. (image 3)
BNC Female Right Angle Single Pin Soldering PCB Mount Connector 3Pcs
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016JPU5JU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
$4.67 for 3 with free shipping. It did take a couple weeks to ship from China, but I was not in a hurry.
The old connector was barrel-shaped and had solder bridges on either side of the connector to the large solder pads on each “leg” of the board. The antenna input was a wire that was soldered to a hole in the board. (image 4)
I did have to modify the new connectors so they would fit in the case, and also did a little work on the circuit board as well. The new BNC connectors are slightly wider than the old connector, so a sharp pocket knife whittled the inside edges of the “legs” to widen the space. It doesn’t take much. (image 5)
continued in part 2
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