SDR Signal Issue

[MASONROBERSONMR]

I have a decent Noo Elec Smart SDR RTL. I'm having a hard time picking up any signals. My local public saftey repeater is even hard to pick up. I have messed around with the db gain and that helps a bit, but still fuzzy and scrachy at times. Is this a SDR dongle issue or do I just need a better antenna?! Im using SDR Sharp

 

[spongella]

First off, on VHF and UHF set the RF gain high to start. Now, the antenna - what are you using for that?

 

[MASONROBERSONMR]

I'm using the stock antenna that came with the SDR

 

[spongella]

Masonrobersonmr,

Unfortunately the stock antenna which I assume is a telescoping whip that attaches directly to the dongle will not do much, at least in my many years of experience. You need to, if possible get an outside antenna for VHF/UHF, then you'll see a great improvement in your signal.

It is not the dongle's or SDR# software that is at fault. The rule for antennas generally runs like this: bigger is better, outside is better, higher is better.

For my dongles I have always used a discone mounted outside for VHF/UHF but there are many other antenna types out there for you to choose from.

Okay, let's try this, tune the FM broadcast band (88-108 MHz) which has many stations and are high power, see how your antenna works on that band. That is about as good as it gets with that little antenna. Make sure you set SDR# for WBFM.

 

[MASONROBERSONMR]

,I will try that thank you for the information