RTL-SDR V4 Help Needed

[baccala]

I just recently purchased the RTL-SDR V4 and am attempting to scan on CubicSDR on Mac. I plugged in the dongle and it first did not detect the USB, but after installing homebrew on the terminal, and installing the aforementioned drivers, CubicSDR appears to detect it on the first device window as generic RTL2832U OEM (not sure if that's the correct one).

I took the two pronged device that came with the kit and screwed in the two dipole antennas at 19 1/3 inch length. Once I open up the application, it does not appear to be receiving any signal at all.

Could it be the antenna that came with the kit? I am looking at buying the Diamond 3000n to replace it after troubleshooting this issue.

For some reason, the last attempt to post this was either deleted or has been awaiting approval for the last hour.

 

[saioke]

The dipole antenna the V4 comes with isn't terrible, it should be receiving signals, especially FM radio stations. Unfortunately I know nothing about Mac or CubicSDR to help you figure this out, but hopefully someone around here does. I wouldn't jump on buying a new antenna until you can figure it out.

The diamond d3000n is a discone, which is capable of receiving a wide range of frequencies, albeit not as good as a dedicated antenna for a frequency range would.

 

[baccala]

The dipole antenna the V4 comes with isn't terrible, it should be receiving signals, especially FM radio stations. Unfortunately I know nothing about Mac or CubicSDR to help you figure this out, but hopefully someone around here does. I wouldn't jump on buying a new antenna until you can figure it out.

The diamond d3000n is a discone, which is capable of receiving a wide range of frequencies, albeit not as good as a dedicated antenna for a frequency range would.

I think I figured it out. I switched to SDR++ and it did work. I was able to pick up a weather transmission from the nearby airport and a couple of ham conversations.

Though, the positioning of the antenna on my balcony as a handheld for now is less than stellar or consistent. I can’t put anything on my roof, so I’m considering that once I become more familiar with this one, I’ll be in the market for a more compact and mobile antenna that has good range as I live in an apartment on the second floor.

 

[saioke]

Ah wasn't aware SDR++ was on Mac, but it's definitely one of the better pieces of SDR software out there. Sounds like it's working. You could look into running SDR++ Brown edition which is a modified version that allows you to listen to webSDR's as well, with many other tweaks such as having a built in dsd decoder for decoding DMR, P25, etc. Also some nice audio noise reduction for listening to sw, etc. It's overall a better version of SDR++.
On the bright side, being on the second floor gives you a decent height advantage. If your apartment has a metal roof, you could just get one of those magnetic antennas like the Tram 1089, which is pretty good for the price. Other than that, I'm not sure what would pass as a good mobile antenna. I use the Tram 1089 for my setup, along with a cheap 700-800mhz yagi for P25.

 

[baccala]

Would it be worthwhile to look into adding the tram antenna that you recommended with a spyverter for SW? Or am I understanding wrong because I know that the RTL-SDR can do smaller hz but for clarity sake, would the spyverter help in this case?

 

[saioke]

I've attempted to use the Tram 1089 on sw, and it can pick up some signals, but not great. Wasn't really designed for those lower frequencies, just uhf/vhf. I'm not sure a spyverter would help, I've never used one but if you already have a spyverter, it's worth a shot. The Tram 1089 would do pretty well in the 120 MHz range that the spyverter supposedly scales to.

personally, if you want to listen to sw/hf, either make an antenna or buy one of those loops, like the MLA-30+. The MLA-30 isn't amazing and it's directional but it's great for people in your situation, being in an apartment and all. The MLA-30 will null out noise from your neighbors if you direct it away from them.

You could also just get 30-50ft of wire, solder an sma connector to the middle wire, and throw it off your balcony to pick up some decent signals too.