2020 SDR Guide Ep 3 : Beginner Budget SDR Shootout (Generic vs Nooelec vs RTL-SDR v3) cheap SDRs! 

Thanks Tahula. I'm glad to be able to help people.

Great! Welcome to the channel Daniel :-)

Great to hear William. Lots more videos on the channel that will hopefully interest you as well.

That's great. Welcome to the world of SDR!

That's the goal!

You'll not be disappointed!

Good day Tom, and welcome to the channel. You'll notice I use the RTL-SDR V3 a lot. It's a great little SDR. I'm sure you'll be having lots of fun with it once it arrives!

You're welcome. And thanks for the kind comments :-)

Thank you 😊

You're welcome. The v3 is still my favourite SDR!

You sure did make a good choice! Enjoy your new purchase, and thanks for your comment :-)

Lol, thanks. Perhaps you can share it with others you know who would be interested.

I'm pleased to hear you're finding the videos helpful. You are starting out in a fantastic hobby :-)

@@FrugalRadio can you please help me out i have the cheap one the blue one I like it regardless but no longer have a desk top but I know cause I've seen it on RU-vid making it work on Android phone I have the plug now I had to order it it works but I can't get the ham frequencies I can only hear my local radio stations which I don't mind at least that tells me it works but please how do I get the ham channels to work nothing I do works do I still need to get another piece of something I don't know but I want to hear everything not just the radio stations what do I do

Which software are you using?

You're welcome, sir!

Hi Paul, welcome to the channel and thanks for your kind words! The Nooelec requires an upconverter to monitor shortwave. Since I've already got a dedicated SDR for HF, I've never purchased an upconverter. So I can't really tell you how it performs in that band. Perhaps some of the other channel viewers who have tried this can comment!

I'm glad if is going well with your first SDR!

Well I'm glad you've found us. Welcome to the wonderful world of SDR!

Cheers, and welcome to the channel!

Glad the video was helpful. Thanks for your comments Steve.

This is a great tip for anyone thinking of using their RTL-SDR v3 for HF work. Upconverters that provide filtering make for a much more pleasant listening experience!

I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks for taking the time to let me know it was beneficial.

Glad you're enjoying it!

Well SDR is a great hobby, as is radio in general. If you decide to jump in, I reckon you'll have lots of fun. All the best!

@@FrugalRadio I purchased a RTL-SDR v3 based on your review and others, i was tempted to buy the LimeSDR, but as im only starting i will see how i get on with the RTL before jumping in, are 7ft Mesh Dishes much good for picking up Satellites/Planets/Meteors?

Wow, a 7ft dish would be huge. You could use one to receive C band downlinks, but you wouldn't need one that large to receive the GOES images. Just a small wifi parabolic grid antenna can work for those. For other weather satellite signals in VHF, you would not want a dish. It would be a QFH you'd want to use.

@@FrugalRadio 6-7ft Mesh or Metal Dishes are used as standard in the area i will probably setup, 6 Degrees south of the Equator and only £30-40 for the dish and £50 for it fully fitted and setup for TV. If i recall correctly i think there was a Radio club the other side of the hill from your video, out towards Ballyclare i think. Wonder how complex it would be to set-up an array of Dishes. is there much of a difference between 50 Ohm and 60 Ohm Co-Ax in terms of signal quality. Can you recommend any good books to get a grasp of the theory?

No recommendations in afraid, that stuff is well beyond anything I have attempted! I haven't even read up about it. But I certainly wish you well in your experiments and hope you report back!!!

Yes, it's a fabulous unit. I still use multiple v3 dongles every day, several of them run 24/7.

You're most welcome!

Hi Mohammed. Welcome to the channel! I use tools provided in the software. SNR is a good metric to use as it shows the peak level above the noise floor. You can also use S units, but these do not take the noise floor into account, and therefore are not as valuable.

Thanks for your comment Robert 😊

Thanks.

Cheers David.

Ha ha, you're welcome!

Thank you.

Welcome to a whole new world @shotguntalkshow ;-)

Thanks Annie. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel.

You're welcome Jim.

Glad you're enjoying the channel. I don't have a fixed schedule for releasing the episodes, so I am unable to give an exact date I'm afraid. There is a lot of software available, so I'll likely do an overview video, then add some more detailed videos on how to use various packages to accomplish certain things. Best way to see when it comes out is to Subscribe and activate notifications. That way you'll know when new content is released. As for the multicoupler, in this video I used a Sdridsberg MCA208. Not a Frugal device by any means! However I also use an 12 port active TV splitter which cost me about $20 and works well too :-)

@@FrugalRadio Hi Rob, Thanks for taking the time to send such a detailed response. I appreciate the info on the multicoupler. I'll keep supporting the channel😁. All the best... Dave

Great. Welcome to the channel. Hopefully you'll find lots of useful info here 🙂

@@FrugalRadio 😃👍

You're welcome!

Appreciate the comment, thanks.

They are a great little SDR, although for HF work I tend to use other SDRs.

Yes, well spotted! The bandwidth was mostly the same in the comparisons, but at one stage during filming I went off chasing another signal, and forgot to reset it precisely. Thanks for picking up on that!

A great little SDR. Still my most used device!

Really glad you've been enjoying it. More episodes coming soon!

Hi. I actually made a video to answer that question : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6dNE20WBogw.html

@@FrugalRadio thanks!!

You're welcome!

There are quite a few offerings on AliExpress. I haven't used them personally, but have heard from others that have. Many are 'knock offs', ie clones / fakes. They have looked at a popular unit, reverse engineered it, and more or less copied it. In order to sell for less than the original, certain components are sometimes replaced with lower cost (and quality) ones, or removed altogether. Interestingly there is some confusion over where some of the ICs (chips) originate. In some of the knock off units the ICs look the same as what is in the original - using the same manufacturer name, model number, logo etc. They also work with the same drivers as the original devices, and Windows reports seeing the original devices. I'm not knocking all devices that come from AliExpress, but I am highlighting that many of the SDRs are actually counterfeit, and they are based on other people's intellectual property (IP). The price is good, but sometimes the ethics are questionable.

No problem. I'm still not quite sure what equipment you've got there, but hopefully you manage to get receiving some signals!

Thanks Samuel. Good point about the bandwidth setting. I had been trying to keep them the same, but went off chasing another signal at one point and forgot to reset it!

I don’t think it changes the assessment but in any way , in the end run. So it does not matter that much. Understandable , it’s difficult to be 100% consistent when doing the video, a lot of effort and work put into that so we truly appreciate that you took the time to make this video.

Great to hear that you are going to be exploring with SDRs. They are a great tool for any Amateur. 73!

If you are connecting to a device that needs bias t, it can work well. Personally, I prefer to have a switchable bias t on my SDRs. However if you need to permanently connected to patch antennas or LNAs, I agree, the SMARtee is the way to go.

Try SDRTouch. And welcome to the channel!

They work, that's for sure. But they can get really hot - so just be ready for that. You'll also need some MCX connectors.

Thanks for joining the channel! A lot depends on what you want to accomplish with the SDR. For getting started tracking digital trunk networks, I would go for a couple of RTL-SDR v3 units. They also work well for satellite monitoring, airband, general monitoring. For HF, you could look at an SDRPlay RSP1A or HF+ Discovery from Airspy.

@@FrugalRadio Ive ordered a Nooelec SMART V5 and a AirNav ADS-B and antennae. Lets see how it goes. I live near Orly airport in France. Looking forward to trying it out with my kids.

Have fun!

@Frugal Radio Got my nooelec smart bundle. Came with 3 aerials, telescopic and 2 fixed an ISM and UHF, but no markings. Do you know which one is which and what mode they run in GQRX? By the way I bought the nooelec based on your video .

At least you've found the channel now! If you're on HF, it might also be broadcast MW signals that are overpowering your SDR. Have A look at the filter videos, they may also help.

@@FrugalRadio Thanks a lot for your advice. Much appreciated. Enjoying DXing using SDR

@hamrad88 Thank you. Having it shared on your channel would be great 😀

@@FrugalRadio Approximately where are you located?

@@FrugalRadio Thanks. Just looking for where your testing was done.

@@FrugalRadio Short video uploaded.

Wow, that was fast @hamrad88. Thanks for pointing me out to your viewers!

Honestly, I'd start with the basic SDRs. They pick up a wide range of frequencies. Are the people you want to listen to using walkie talkies, or are you wanting to listen to security / police following them? What country are you in?

@@FrugalRadio US . IT SEEMS THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT HAVE/ARE USING UNRESTRICTED WARFARE TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN AN EFFORT TO SAFEGUARD DOING A QUICK STUDY ,, FREQUENCY/SIGNALS EFFORT TO RECORD ANYONE EAVESDROPPING ON HOME ETC.

I'd start by doing some searches in the 406-420, and 450-520 MHz bands, but they could be using radios as low as 27 MHz. If you can get security camera footage or photos of a radio, that can help identify what frequencies they could be on.

👍

It's a super little receiver, optimised for the radio hobbyist. I've never looked back since owning one, and now I have 4 of this particular SDR :-)

I'll add it to my list for making at a future date, sure.

Each generic SDR will be off frequency by a certain amount. Every unit is different, even the same model from the same manufacturer. For example, one of my generics needs a 47ppm adjustment, the other needs 88. The quickest way to work out the value for your SDR is to tune to a known signal. I typically use a Weather transmitter or ATIS signal as these transmit 24/7 on a known frequency. Then adjust values up or down until the VFO line (red line) is in the centre of the signal. Now you will have your PPM value. I'll see if I can do a quick video demonstrating it.

Yes - providing you use software which supports scanning!

@@FrugalRadio ahhhhhh, thanks a lot for the info, much appreciated. Regards.

You chose well, my friend. There will be an episode on frugal antennas, but I don't think I'll be going much into theory - maybe just a little at the beginning...

@@FrugalRadio at least tell people how to properly use the telescoping dipole that comes with the v3 :)

@@omgwtfkthxbai I will do that!

@Klickmans I was in your beautiful country earlier this year and stayed in one of the apartments, so I know what you mean. Certainly indoor antennas will be covered :-)

@@FrugalRadio i am very interested in proper use if the antenna 📡 😀

Check your gain settings, and receive mode (Broadcast FM uses WFM, aircraft use AM mode). Also make sure your antenna is well positioned and set at the correct length if you can modify it.

Hi David!

I've not used any of the TX/RX SDRs yet. I love the possibilities of them though. There's definitely a lot you can experiment with. As far as using it as a receiver though, I've learned that it has problems with strong signal rejection. So while you gain flexibility on the transit side, you may be compromising on the receive side. That's why I wouldn't want one as a general purpose receiver, despite the fact it has a great frequency range, and even larger if you do a firmware modification.

@@FrugalRadio I didn't know that it has a low rejection. Thanks for your reply! I like your channel very much!

Glad you are enjoying & learning through the channel @Cristobal Lopez. Maybe check out some other channels to see who has done reviews on the PlutoSDR. @Tech Minds did one for sure - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nlXiD-A2fA8.html

Hi Paul. Carl, the man behind the RTL-SDR v3 dongles doesn't supply them through Amazon UK. The products you see there are from third party sellers who bring them in to resell. They can set whatever price they like. If you want a genuine unit in the UK, check the RTL-SDR blog for a list of official third party resellers, or consider buying direct from the manufacturer via the China warehouse. Shipping to the UK is free. I received several products from the China warehouse during my time there. Alternatively, the Nooelec dongles are sold by the manufacturer through Amazon UK. If you decide to go that route, perhaps you would consider supporting the channel by using the affiliate links in the video description. Hope that helps!

@@FrugalRadio Thank you so much, that is an really helpful and fulsome answer. I'm so new to this that it's easy to get blinded by the various options. Looking forward to your upcoming videos. P

Glad to be of help Paul.

If you are just using it for TV, you can go for one of the generic dongles. They've been designed just for TV and some will come with a remote control as well.

There is an incredible array of signals to pick from. Episode 1 goes into some of the main things people pick up. You can decode all sorts of transmissions, a lot depends on where you live. I have always enjoyed monitoring Emergency Services and trunked systems. You can then map out the system. For example in my old city, I knew every time any radio was switched on. When surveillance cars were out, it popped up on my display. Same with police helicopter, command post vehicles, swat team etc. Then there's satellite. ATC messages, MDT and hospital pager traffic, military aircraft exercises, bombing ranges, bug transmitters, cordless telephones, weather balloons, home weather station transmitters, vehicle key fobs, etc. And that is just VHF & UHF. Shortwave (HF) offers a while bunch more - spy broadcasts, military info, long range aviation, search & rescue, fax, rtty, Morse code and more.

@@FrugalRadio even though the v3 has the ability to receive HF, I really doubt the antenna is adequate! XD

Certainly not. But all you need is a long piece of wire. Anything over 5m will probably get you receiving! Just attach it to one of the telescopic antennas, or insert directly into the SMA adapter (assuming you don't have a balun).

@@FrugalRadio all I have is a laptop and what came in the bundles. I'm assuming that any kind of coax wire won't work. I have a couple of pieces of speaker wire that are probably around 5 m long (maybe longer). Is it really as easy as wrapping the copper around the antenna?

@@omgwtfkthxbai give it s try and see. Keep your wire away from sources of electrical noise as much as you can. If it doesn't work well, take your laptop outside into a park or garden and try there. Sometimes it can be surprising. Generally speaking, the longer the wire, the better. A 20m length will work well around 14 MHz.

Cubic SDR would be a good place to start on Mac. You can also use SDR++.

@@FrugalRadio Thankyou & let me try

It is called a Control Channel, and it is a computer signal that is transmitted to all the radios on a trunked network. It tells them which frequency each talkgroup is going to use, since trunked systems split 'channels' across multiple frequencies.

@@FrugalRadio Thank You very much for you explanation to something i wondered about for years. Once more i am, head shaking, amazed with the ingenuity of dedicated problem solvers. Who i believe work at problems not for self glory, but rather for the self chalange, and the great feeling they get in serving others.

If I had $100, I'd be considering the AirSpy Mini and the RSP1A...

@@FrugalRadio are you going to be doing any video's on these two?

@@FrugalRadio or do you happen to have a recommendation on a video on these two?

Yes, I'll be doing a video on devices around the $100 range, but not for a while. I'm moving to another country in 3 weeks, so have to get ready for that!

@@FrugalRadio Good luck with the move. Looking forward to the videos as well.

Great to have you here with us. Welcome Nick!

Checking the specs from the manufacturer is the best way. The very low budget generics do not have a TXCO. Whereas the 'step up' $25-$30 dongles do.

@@FrugalRadio I meant by "deciphering" the markings on the SMD part.

Ah, I see. I've never opened a unit up, so can't help with that I'm afraid.

I paid $120 CDN for two RTL SDR bundles. Each bundle includes a RTLSDR v3 dongle, and a dipole antenna with two different sizes of telescopic portions. I strongly recommend this for under $100 because of the included antennae.

There are a couple of very strong contenders for your $100, and the choice would really come down to the intended use. For most people though, I reckon the SDRPlay RSP1A would be the way to go. You'll see more details about it when that episode comes out :-)

A generic will definitely get you started. If ordering through the RTL-SDR.com you can get a V3 delivered to India for free.

I suppose if you built a downconverter it might be possible. I also don't know how wide a bandwidth Bluetooth uses. I would suggest going with a device that includes the 2.4 GHz band, as there would be quite a few signals there.

@@FrugalRadio Yes i read on RTLSDR blog about downconverter. but i have to do it in MATLAB. Any suggestion?

Sorry, I have no suggestions. I've never experimented with that aspect of the hobby.

There will also be a "must have" software episode!

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pFVS3-NthKM.html answers that question!

@@FrugalRadio Thank you very much, your video maybe 2 years old but still relevant today. 😊

Great. Welcome to the Frugal Radio community Geoffrey!

Probably. I can't tell you how it will work out, but I've traveled with radios through many countries.

I've only tried it with a low gain antenna. You can see my results at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-L59DDxpGRKA.html

The SDR software is SDR#. The DMR decoding was done through DSD+, and the DAB software is called Welle and can be downloaded via Welle.io

@@FrugalRadio Cheers Mate. I couldn't tell by looking at your screen. I've picked up a unit from eBay that has separate connectors for above 25 and below 25 but I haven't figured out how to configure GQRX working on HF. Maybe SDR# will work.

Technofix are official resellers of the RTL-SDR v3 in the UK. They hear seem to have the dongle only, not the dipole kit. shop.technofix.uk/sdr/usb-rtl-sdr-sticks/super-stable-1ppm-tcxo-r820t2-tuner-rtl2832u-rtl-sdr-usb-stick-version-3 Many UK viewers start with the NooElec dongles as they are generally available with fast delivery from Amazon. amzn.to/2WH0LCv

@@FrugalRadio many thanks 👍

You're welcome Alan. Best wishes, and welcome to the hobby!

Spec wise, they are all very similar. I don't own a mini, but my friend who uses one likes it. I'm not sure what radios police are using in India (I didn't bring my scanners when I visited). However you can't really go wrong with either the RTL-SDR v3 or Nooelec SMArt. If you might want to use the bias t feature, then the RTL-SDR blog one is the way to go.

@@FrugalRadio I have bf888s walkie talkie 400 to 470 Mhz but want to listen anything on it but their is no allocation chart so that i can tune it thats why i want a sdr to see avilabel broadcasts i thought to buy mini as its very cheap in respect to another radios will it work for me does it perform well i am still confused after video mainly i want to listen to atc and planes i am busy watching flight radar 24 whole day ! Please help me are the bias t and clock is very important 🙏 and can they track me using something like fox hunting while using sdr not an walkie talkie 😕

These particular SDRs are only good for receiving. You can use all of them to monitor ATC and other planes. You can also use them to contribute to FR24, as I do. You can also use them to discover the frequency your BF-888s channels are set to.

@@FrugalRadio Can police foxhunt me thanks for your all replies 🙏

One of these SDRs alone will not transmit, so you would not be creating a signal that could be easily tracked. It is technically possible with sophisticated equipment, but not very likely.

Which item did you buy? And when you say very low frequencies, are you referring to VLF, or LW, MW, HF or VHF low band?

The v4 is a limited production run, so I haven't picked one up for testing. The RTL-SDR team were anticipating supply for approximately 1 year.

@@FrugalRadio limited edition sounds tempting hahaha I see from the RTL SDR blog you have to install new drivers or V4 to work properly!?

Yes, I made a video that included the excellent RSP-1A. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6dNE20WBogw.html

Agreed. They are great receivers, and excellent for use on feeds.

It's a shame so many of the prices have increased.

@@FrugalRadio can you tell me something for beginner? The cheapest thing costs 12,5€, i just want to play a little and I don't want to play much more.

The cheap SDRs do work, and I still use 2 of them every day. Performance is not as good, and frequency is subject to drifting and needs to be corrected, but they work for listening to different users.

Yep!

Great to hear. Yes, my generics are still going strong. But so are all my NooElec and v3 units, even those that were exposed to very cold temperatures.

Have a look at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6dNE20WBogw.html