.. _rtl: RTL-SDR ======= RTL-SDR (RTL2832U Software Defined Radio) is a low-cost USB dongle originally designed for digital TV reception that has been repurposed as a wideband software-defined radio. RTL-SDR devices are popular for hobbyist use due to their affordability and wide range of applications. The RTL-SDR is based on the Realtek RTL2832U chipset, which features direct sampling and demodulation of RF signals. These devices are commonly used for tasks such as listening to FM radio, monitoring aircraft traffic (ADS-B), receiving weather satellite images, and more. Supported Models ---------------- - **Generic RTL-SDR Dongle:** The most common variant, usually featuring an R820T or R820T2 tuner. - **RTL-SDR Blog V3:** An enhanced version with additional features like direct sampling mode and a bias tee for powering external devices. Key Features ------------ - **Frequency Range:** Typically from 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz, depending on the tuner chip. - **Bandwidth:** Limited to about 2.4 MHz, making it suitable for narrowband applications. - **Connectivity:** USB 2.0 interface, plug-and-play on most platforms. - **Software Support:** Compatible with SDR software like SDR#, GQRX, and GNU Radio. Limitations ----------- - Narrow bandwidth compared to more expensive SDRs, which may limit some applications. - Sensitivity and performance can vary depending on the specific model and components. - Requires external software for signal processing and analysis. Set up instructions (Linux, Radioconda) --------------------------- Step 1: Activate your Radioconda environment. .. code-block:: bash conda activate Step 2: Purge drivers. If you already have some other drivers installed, purge them from your system. .. code-block:: bash sudo apt purge ^librtlsdr sudo rm -rvf /usr/lib/librtlsdr* sudo rm -rvf /usr/include/rtl-sdr* sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/lib/librtlsdr* sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/include/rtl-sdr* sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/include/rtl_* sudo rm -rvf /usr/local/bin/rtl_* Step 3: Install RTL-SDR Blog drivers. .. code-block:: bash sudo apt-get install libusb-1.0-0-dev git cmake pkg-config build-essential git clone https://github.com/rtlsdrblog/rtl-sdr-blog cd rtl-sdr-blog/ mkdir build cd build cmake ../ -DINSTALL_UDEV_RULES=ON make sudo make install sudo cp ../rtl-sdr.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/ sudo ldconfig Step 4: Blacklist the DVB-T modules that would otherwise claim the device: .. code-block:: bash sudo ln -s $CONDA_PREFIX/etc/modprobe.d/rtl-sdr-blacklist.conf /etc/modprobe.d/radioconda-rtl-sdr-blacklist.conf sudo modprobe -r $(cat $CONDA_PREFIX/etc/modprobe.d/rtl-sdr-blacklist.conf | sed -n -e 's/^blacklist //p') Step 5: Install a udev rule by creating a link into your radioconda installation. .. code-block:: bash sudo ln -s $CONDA_PREFIX/lib/udev/rules.d/rtl-sdr.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/radioconda-rtl-sdr.rules sudo udevadm control --reload sudo udevadm trigger Further Information ------------------- - `Official Website `_ - `RTL-SDR Quick Start Guide `_