I really was thinking this was the worst receiver ever since I was only receiving local FM stations. Wow, this helped tremendously. Thank you very much. Simple!
Thanks! I was scratching my head at this. FM stations were great. Not even a blip on the MW broadcast. A lot to learn on this little unit, so I'm in for a lot of fun. I got the rtl-sdr v3 with the antenna kit. Looked like the best reviewed, aside from those that thought it was plug and play. I followed the installation directions exactly as put on their website. Got a little nervous with a couple settings but held my breath, hit accept and voila! It worked! Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for this video. I am now getting stations above 120 MHz and 423 MHz. I use SDR ++ and set it to Q branch. I am just using a few different lengths of wire as a simple antenna on my back porch. I am now considering adding an Lna board.
The V4 has a built in up-converter and works much better than direct sampling method in receiving in those bands. It's even slightly less expensive than the V3. An external up converter or an SDR that's designed for that frequency range will also work better than this method, but will cost extra.
I have not set my RTL SDR Blog V3 up yet but am very close to doing it. Your video probably will save me from pulling my hair out and a lot of disappointment and for that I am grateful. Seriously I thank you. Now that being said and I am not being cruel but Please, Please work on your video. It is terrible and blurry. Seeing is the most important thing on UA-cam and your video is seriously lacking. Please take this as a constructive criticism and not just being a complainer of ungrateful. People like you make the difference for those of us that need and appreciate your efforts. I do some videos and I know how much time it takes and it is a thankless effort. There are some free screen capture programs. I suggest you make an effort to try to use one. I just watched a video here on UA-cam and loved the effects and the clarity of the video. Some people do not even have any audio. I just ignore those and go somewhere else. Keep up the good work and know that there are those of us that genuinely appreciate your sterling efforts. Keep up the good work. Maximus
I got excited when I saw this video on why the RTL-SDR won't get HF freqs, since mine is crap down there too. Once Q-Band was mentioned, hopes faded for me too. I know my dongle "works" 'cause I do get one local station that's 5 miles away, that's it. And it comes over very very weak, when my cheapie portable AM radio gets it loud and clear. Long wire makes no help.
That is important.... but being a newbie...and something that most people fail to emphasis... ANTENNA. Is more important than software or dongle to picking up respective bands. Using any of the 3 stock antennas that come with the RTL-SDR kit... you will still not be able to get the HF and AM radio bands. They seem only to work well in the FM band, a bit in GMRS (you can't hear the voice, but you can see the signal). NOAA doesn't seem to come in no matter what which is weird since all my physical radios - handhelds and mobile work fine. You mentioned you have a relatively long outdoor antenna... I think for those of us who are new to us, need to realize that is REQUIRED to get any long, medium, short, ham bands to tune in.
Even a really long wire is helpful. I have even used the cold water pipe in the house. Remember to switch your sampling mode back from Q Branch when you go above 30 Mhz.
Still having issues on MW band. Changing the software setting got me one AM band station (normal radio gets many). I know it's an antenna problem because putting my hand on the dipole that comes with the rtl-sdr/V3 blog kit, causes an increase in gain and gets some more stations. Tried running a long wire to the coax feed of the dipole but no-go on that idea. Sending the kit back since it only gets FM and weather band clearly. Expected the tech would be further along by now- especially the software driver set up. Great video. Best of luck.
Been fooling around for 2 days and could not get AM to be found with QubicSDR on Mac. Your video helped me, even though the software is different; the logic applies. I still cannot pick up HAM, CB, etc.... I think this is due to my antenna but not sure, because there is a repeater less than 1 Mile from my home. Thanks for your help.
I have a lot of problems with harmonics using these inexpensive receivers. If I go above the 20 meter band I get receive tons of harmonics from lower frequencies. I still haven't figured out a way to eliminate this. I suppose an SDrPlay or AirSpy would not have these problems and that's why they cost a couple hundred dollars.
Thank you for this info i was getting next to nothing on my usb device but getting a lot of stuff now. I am getting signals on the FM band but only hear people on AM in the FM band , any ideas. Thanks again am going to order a good antenna tomorrow
AM antennas for small radios have a different design compared to the typical telescoping metal tube for FM. How much is that going to matter if you just have a dongle plugged into a laptop?
thanks for the video. did you have any success with the antenna's they sent with the kit? all i have been able to acquire are my local FM . i have switched settings as others suggested and it looks like i have signals, im getting readings in the waterfall and i set the range so not to display bottom noise. im seeing definite solid signals but i am hearing nothing. ive tried everything the manual and many youtubers have said but no luck. thanks in advance if anyone can help.
I didn't get the antenna package. Not to use full for HF receive. Make sure you have turned the RF gain up from Zero to a higher value. That changes the noise floor. See if when you click on the waterfall trace you hear any noise when choosing raw modulation as opposed to usb, lsb, am or fm. Uhf and vhf require shorter antennas so troll through the 2 meter ham band and see if you get anything.
I have a GAP Titan for ham radio. But I'm sure just a long wire strung around would work pretty well. I have tried it with house cold water pipes. I still have copper. It worked decent.
doesn't work with mine. it just shows random peaks that go left and right when i change frequency. dunno how to explain it, but surely my hardware does not support this.
You still need a decent antenna. Can you receive any of the local AM radio stations? I think there was and older version that this didn’t work on. Not sure if firmware can be updated if that is the case. Good luck.
@@timtimeprojects3576 ah that would make sense. there are a lot of little glitches and little things that don't work with my rtl. for example i see signals that are somewhere else on the spectrum in random places. will look if it's possible to update the firmware. (p.s. no i can't recieve am even if one was transmitting next to my antenna)
Sorry, I didn't realize how terrible the video was. In SDR# select the Q-branch in the configure menu (the cog icon next to the play button). (If it is greyed out make sure you stop the SDR first, by clicking the stop button in SDR#) -From the RTL-SDR Blog V.3.
wonderig how you deal with am, i mean i have a radio if i plug zero sound for radio station then unplug i tune in guessing its the same with rtl sdr, at least for am. barely i get one radio station on am.
Well, depending on where you are the antenna has a lot to do with it. AM radio stations run a whole lot of power so you may pick something up on the broadcast band with even a conservative antenna.
Thanks for the video, I'm problems, my generic dongle gets in HF just an am season, I'm using a Delta Loop 28mHz and nor 10m do not get anything, even with all the settings ... I need help .... 73s pu9ycz ... thank you
Is it the ver3? That's what I was setting up. I have heard others report their dongle was bad. Mine works but it does get pretty warm after a bit. Does yours work best on any frequency?
I've been a DX SWL enthusiast for many decades. I guess my expectations were too high of this RTL-SDR device. Picks up local FM station and not much else. a lot of noise, but can't make out anything else. My Halicrafter S-38 does better . I'd love to know what I'm missing - this isn't the only tutorial I've watched or read.
Mine works pretty good now. Did you take a look at the quick start guide, especially steps outlined in 2 and 3? www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/
I’d start out with just a very long wire antenna. Google long wire antenna for a multitude of cheap easy to build ideas. If you have the money check out multi band Ham radio HF antennas.
Has to be at least a Version 3. And make sure you hit the Stop Button, you can't change that with the SDR playing. Also check this site. www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/
Hi, I have a SDR with the direct sampling in-built. I can get lots of signal peaks but can't seem to demodulate any audio when I tune in. Any advice please?
If you have the RTL, check this web site for tips. If not the RTL, see if that software manufacturer has a blog page. www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/
i am having the exact same issue lots of readings of solid signals but no audio whatsoever becoming frustrated thinking i got a bad unit. though im pretty sure the antenna they sent is junk seeing how the plastic snapped on 7th day lol
Hi, I do have the original rtl-sdr from the Outernet project. I can't get it to work on HF. I did select the Q Branch. I did open it up and it looks the same as the original. Do you know if and what could I try regarding EEPROM upgrade or such? Thanks
I have an original DVB-T+DAB+FM unit and it doesn't receive anything below about 24 MHz. Can't find any settings in SDR# that make it work below that frequency. Works great up into the satellite freqs though.
@UC8BQ4zTMrr11PU-p2dUoiJw thanks, actually it was an old rtl-sdr from the Outernet project, but it was version 2 not 3. I do have now the v3. Thank you.
HDSDR I have is not picking up the HF bands, no matter how I try and get it. VHF comes in on Direct sampling, tried both "I" input, and "Q" input. neither one worked. Not even getting any signals on the water fall, except for a couple of steady peaks. Tried Freq 3,755 (80 meters), where usually Ontars net come in, and can't get a thing. Can't get any am freqs. as well on the radio AM radio band. Just downloaded HDSDR about 4 days ago. VHF is coming in just fine, specially off our local RPT. Any suggestions on how to bring in the HF bands?
Grrr i hate SDR ... the sampling mode is grayed out so now what please ? ok I found your answer ( SDR# select the Q-branch in the configure menu (the cog icon next to the play button). (If it is greyed out make sure you stop the SDR first, by clicking the stop button in SDR#) -From the RTL-SDR Blog V.3. )
I really was thinking this was the worst receiver ever since I was only receiving local FM stations. Wow, this helped tremendously. Thank you very much. Simple!
Thanks! I was scratching my head at this. FM stations were great. Not even a blip on the MW broadcast.
A lot to learn on this little unit, so I'm in for a lot of fun. I got the rtl-sdr v3 with the antenna kit. Looked like the best reviewed, aside from those that thought it was plug and play.
I followed the installation directions exactly as put on their website. Got a little nervous with a couple settings but held my breath, hit accept and voila! It worked!
Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for this video. I am now getting stations above 120 MHz and 423 MHz. I use SDR ++ and set it to Q branch. I am just using a few different lengths of wire as a simple antenna on my back porch. I am now considering adding an Lna board.
Thank You!!!! I recently bought and was at a lost with medium wave. Appreciate you posting!!!!
I wondered how to tune into stuff like that, and this answered my question! Thanks a bunch! It's a good thing that I have a V3 dongle.
Thank you so much. you are a sdr noob's god. Banging my head for a week now to hear AM sttations!
Man, I owe you a beer. Huge thanks
The V4 has a built in up-converter and works much better than direct sampling method in receiving in those bands. It's even slightly less expensive than the V3.
An external up converter or an SDR that's designed for that frequency range will also work better than this method, but will cost extra.
thank you, was setting my screens and antenna, got better reception on RTL-SDR for the SW commercial stations, and HAM, 60meters (HF).
I have not set my RTL SDR Blog V3 up yet but am very close to doing it. Your video probably will save me from pulling my hair out and a lot of disappointment and for that I am grateful. Seriously I thank you.
Now that being said and I am not being cruel but Please, Please work on your video. It is terrible and blurry. Seeing is the most important thing on UA-cam and your video is seriously lacking.
Please take this as a constructive criticism and not just being a complainer of ungrateful.
People like you make the difference for those of us that need and appreciate your efforts. I do some videos and I know how much time it takes and it is a thankless effort. There are some free screen capture programs. I suggest you make an effort to try to use one. I just watched a video here on UA-cam and loved the effects and the clarity of the video. Some people do not even have any audio. I just ignore those and go somewhere else.
Keep up the good work and know that there are those of us that genuinely appreciate your sterling efforts. Keep up the good work.
Maximus
Oh thank you lord. Been trying to get AM working for way too long lol
Oh man, thank you so much! I was like WTF why can't I get AM stations!!
Good man, got me up and running. Thanks very much. Subscribed, and best wishes 🙂🙏
I got excited when I saw this video on why the RTL-SDR won't get HF freqs, since mine is crap down there too. Once Q-Band was mentioned, hopes faded for me too. I know my dongle "works" 'cause I do get one local station that's 5 miles away, that's it. And it comes over very very weak, when my cheapie portable AM radio gets it loud and clear. Long wire makes no help.
That is important.... but being a newbie...and something that most people fail to emphasis... ANTENNA.
Is more important than software or dongle to picking up respective bands.
Using any of the 3 stock antennas that come with the RTL-SDR kit... you will still not be able to get the HF and AM radio bands. They seem only to work well in the FM band, a bit in GMRS (you can't hear the voice, but you can see the signal). NOAA doesn't seem to come in no matter what which is weird since all my physical radios - handhelds and mobile work fine.
You mentioned you have a relatively long outdoor antenna... I think for those of us who are new to us, need to realize that is REQUIRED to get any long, medium, short, ham bands to tune in.
Even a really long wire is helpful. I have even used the cold water pipe in the house. Remember to switch your sampling mode back from Q Branch when you go above 30 Mhz.
Still having issues on MW band. Changing the software setting got me one AM band station (normal radio gets many). I know it's an antenna problem because putting my hand on the dipole that comes with the rtl-sdr/V3 blog kit, causes an increase in gain and gets some more stations. Tried running a long wire to the coax feed of the dipole but no-go on that idea. Sending the kit back since it only gets FM and weather band clearly. Expected the tech would be further along by now- especially the software driver set up. Great video. Best of luck.
Oh that's awesome! Thank you so much!
Been fooling around for 2 days and could not get AM to be found with QubicSDR on Mac. Your video helped me, even though the software is different; the logic applies. I still cannot pick up HAM, CB, etc.... I think this is due to my antenna but not sure, because there is a repeater less than 1 Mile from my home. Thanks for your help.
I have a lot of problems with harmonics using these inexpensive receivers. If I go above the 20 meter band I get receive tons of harmonics from lower frequencies. I still haven't figured out a way to eliminate this. I suppose an SDrPlay or AirSpy would not have these problems and that's why they cost a couple hundred dollars.
YOU ARE A STAR
Thanks. I was trying to figure this out.
Thank you for this info i was getting next to nothing on my usb device but getting a lot of stuff now. I am getting signals on the FM band but only hear people on AM in the FM band , any ideas. Thanks again am going to order a good antenna tomorrow
AM antennas for small radios have a different design compared to the typical telescoping metal tube for FM. How much is that going to matter if you just have a dongle plugged into a laptop?
thanks for the video. did you have any success with the antenna's they sent with the kit? all i have been able to acquire are my local FM . i have switched settings as others suggested and it looks like i have signals, im getting readings in the waterfall and i set the range so not to display bottom noise. im seeing definite solid signals but i am hearing nothing. ive tried everything the manual and many youtubers have said but no luck. thanks in advance if anyone can help.
I didn't get the antenna package. Not to use full for HF receive. Make sure you have turned the RF gain up from Zero to a higher value. That changes the noise floor. See if when you click on the waterfall trace you hear any noise when choosing raw modulation as opposed to usb, lsb, am or fm. Uhf and vhf require shorter antennas so troll through the 2 meter ham band and see if you get anything.
Thank you, got me out of a pickle. Great clear video.
What antenna you were using, and thanks really helpful video.
I have a GAP Titan for ham radio. But I'm sure just a long wire strung around would work pretty well. I have tried it with house cold water pipes. I still have copper. It worked decent.
doesn't work with mine. it just shows random peaks that go left and right when i change frequency. dunno how to explain it, but surely my hardware does not support this.
You still need a decent antenna. Can you receive any of the local AM radio stations? I think there was and older version that this didn’t work on. Not sure if firmware can be updated if that is the case. Good luck.
@@timtimeprojects3576 ah that would make sense. there are a lot of little glitches and little things that don't work with my rtl. for example i see signals that are somewhere else on the spectrum in random places. will look if it's possible to update the firmware.
(p.s. no i can't recieve am even if one was transmitting next to my antenna)
what antenna length do you need to listen to HF on the RTL-SDR
i cant tell what you click to bring this sampleing mode ?
Sorry, it is the gear looking button next to the speaker button. You must stop receiving to access sampling mode.
I didn't see what you clicked on at 1:43 because the camera was zoomed in too far.
Sorry, I didn't realize how terrible the video was. In SDR# select the Q-branch in the configure menu (the cog icon next to the play button). (If it is greyed out make sure you stop the SDR first, by clicking the stop button in SDR#) -From the RTL-SDR Blog V.3.
Very useful.
Thanks man i appreciate it
wonderig how you deal with am, i mean i have a radio if i plug zero sound for radio station then unplug i tune in guessing its the same with rtl sdr, at least for am. barely i get one radio station on am.
Well, depending on where you are the antenna has a lot to do with it. AM radio stations run a whole lot of power so you may pick something up on the broadcast band with even a conservative antenna.
Thank you very helpful. Bought the SDRplay mag loop and couldnt get it to work.
Thanks for the video, I'm problems, my generic dongle gets in HF just an am season, I'm using a Delta Loop 28mHz and nor 10m do not get anything, even with all the settings ... I need help .... 73s pu9ycz ... thank you
Is it the ver3? That's what I was setting up. I have heard others report their dongle was bad. Mine works but it does get pretty warm after a bit. Does yours work best on any frequency?
I've been a DX SWL enthusiast for many decades. I guess my expectations were too high of this RTL-SDR device. Picks up local FM station and not much else. a lot of noise, but can't make out anything else. My Halicrafter S-38 does better . I'd love to know what I'm missing - this isn't the only tutorial I've watched or read.
Mine works pretty good now. Did you take a look at the quick start guide, especially steps outlined in 2 and 3? www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/
Where do you open that rtlsdr toolbar ?
cog icon top left cornet
I appreciate this video what would be a good antenna?
I’d start out with just a very long wire antenna. Google long wire antenna for a multitude of cheap easy to build ideas. If you have the money check out multi band Ham radio HF antennas.
It won’t let me change the Quadrature sampling?
Has to be at least a Version 3. And make sure you hit the Stop Button, you can't change that with the SDR playing. Also check this site. www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/
I wish I knew what I'm missing, I've copied your desktop on mine and nothing.
Hi, I have a SDR with the direct sampling in-built. I can get lots of signal peaks but can't seem to demodulate any audio when I tune in. Any advice please?
If you have the RTL, check this web site for tips. If not the RTL, see if that software manufacturer has a blog page. www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/
@@timtimeprojects3576 Thanks Tim.
i am having the exact same issue lots of readings of solid signals but no audio whatsoever becoming frustrated thinking i got a bad unit. though im pretty sure the antenna they sent is junk seeing how the plastic snapped on 7th day lol
How about for Android devices ?
Hi, I do have the original rtl-sdr from the Outernet project. I can't get it to work on HF. I did select the Q Branch. I did open it up and it looks the same as the original. Do you know if and what could I try regarding EEPROM upgrade or such? Thanks
I have an original DVB-T+DAB+FM unit and it doesn't receive anything below about 24 MHz. Can't find any settings in SDR# that make it work below that frequency. Works great up into the satellite freqs though.
@UC8BQ4zTMrr11PU-p2dUoiJw thanks, actually it was an old rtl-sdr from the Outernet project, but it was version 2 not 3. I do have now the v3. Thank you.
What software were you using and what OS ?
it’s SDR# and I think he’s using a windows 10 computer
Tim are you from Pittsburgh?
Close, Not to far from the city.
@@timtimeprojects3576 Western PA. Great video.
KDKA n’at. Love it.
Hi can sdruno do this🎶thx
Sounds like you have a Pennsylvania Dutch Accent
Nope. That’s 100% Pittsburghese. Although I did work in Reading and Lancaster for a while. They just picked on my accent there.
@@timtimeprojects3576 I live in Reading!!! lol
bonjours faut il un convertisseur hf avec la clé usb rtl sdr pour recevoir bands am??
Bonjour. Le mode de modulation peut être choisi à partir du bouton "Radio" dans le menu de gauche. - Google Traduction
@@timtimeprojects3576 ok merci
HDSDR I have is not picking up the HF bands, no matter how I try and get it. VHF comes in on Direct sampling, tried both "I" input, and "Q" input. neither one worked. Not even getting any signals on the water fall, except for a couple of steady peaks. Tried Freq 3,755 (80 meters), where usually Ontars net come in, and can't get a thing. Can't get any am freqs. as well on the radio AM radio band. Just downloaded HDSDR about 4 days ago. VHF is coming in just fine, specially off our local RPT. Any suggestions on how to bring in the HF bands?
Not familiar with the software you have but be sure to look at RF gain setting and AGC.
@@timtimeprojects3576 Thanks anyways....
Grrr i hate SDR ... the sampling mode is grayed out so now what please ? ok I found your answer ( SDR# select the Q-branch in the configure menu (the cog icon next to the play button). (If it is greyed out make sure you stop the SDR first, by clicking the stop button in SDR#) -From the RTL-SDR Blog V.3. )
Software for MAC ?
Check rtl-sdr.com
what is the software?
I am using Airspy. I'm sure there or others that will work well.
What app is this bud
Looks like sdr+
Rtl not a great hf rig. Airspy hf plus discovery much better rig
Which software is this?
Sdr+
Please stop saying "Issues" when you are referring to PROBLEMS.
Very bad resolution!
Shut
For me useless waste of money
For watching this video that you paid (what?)?