A Software Based VGA AGC Implementation for the RTL-SDR

From www.rtl-sdr.com 2 months ago in Blogs

Thank you to Chris G for writing in and sharing with us his software VGA ADC controller for the RTL-SDR. AGC or 'automatic gain control' is an algorithm that attempts to automatically adjust the gain on the RTL-SDR in order to maximize the signal to noise ratio. The built in...

Articles from RTL-SDR

SARCTRAC Mk3b: A $290 Satellite Antenna Rotator

From www.rtl-sdr.com 2 days ago in Blogs

In January we posted about the AntRunner, which is a $325 (incl. shipping) satellite antenna rotator shipped from China. Recently we've come across another low cost satellite rotator from Australia called the "SARCTRAC Mk3b" which was developed as part of...

Using a PlutoSDR as a Monopulse Tracker

From www.rtl-sdr.com 3 days ago in Blogs

Over on YouTube Jon Kraft has been uploading videos explaining some interesting beamforming experiments he's been doing with his PlutoSDR. One experiment shows how to create a DIY monopulse tracker, which is a type of radio direction finding technique. The...

SOCORAD32 Now Crowd Funding: ESP32-based Walkie-Talkie with Data Communication

From www.rtl-sdr.com 5 days ago in Blogs

Back in May of 2022 we posted about SOCORAD32 which at the time was pre-announced for future crowd funding. A few days ago Crowd Funding begun and already it's goal has been reached. The project is described as a "hackable,...

Tech Minds: Demonstrating RTL_433 Running on ESP32 Devices

From www.rtl-sdr.com 5 days ago in Blogs

Earlier in the month we posted about how rtl_433 has been ported to ESP32 devices that are combined with CC1101 or SC127X transceiver chips, such as the low cost LILYGO LoRa 32 boards available on Aliexpress. Over on YouTube Matt...

AirNav Systems Launch AIS Aggregator ShipXplorer.com

From www.rtl-sdr.com 5 days ago in Blogs

AirNav Systems are behind the RadarBox ADS-B tracking aggregator, one of several companies that use data obtained by volunteers running RTL-SDR dongles to collect ADS-B flight data from all over the world. Recently they've launched a new project called ShipXplorer.com...

Transmitting radio waves without power

From www.rtl-sdr.com 6 days ago in Blogs

Researchers have discovered a way to transmit information wirelessly without power, simply by opening an closing a switch that connects a resistor to an antenna. This effect does not violate any physics - it works because the random thermal noise...

Slovenian whistleblower who was convicted for reporting a flaw in Police TETRA with an RTL-SDR requests donations

From www.rtl-sdr.com 6 days ago in Blogs

Back in May 2016 we posted about Dejan Ornig, a then 26 year old student at the University of Maribor's Faculty of Criminal Justice, Slovenia who was almost imprisoned for using an RTL-SDR and finding a security flaw in Police...

Arinst Dreamkit V2D Reviewed by Fenu-Radio

From www.rtl-sdr.com 6 days ago in Blogs

Back in August of 2021 we posted about the release of a Russian made portable software defined radio receiver called the "Arinst Dreamkit V1D". The Arinst SDR consists of a portable LCD screen and enclosure, with 16-bit ADC, 5 MHz...

ADS-B Exchange Acquired by Private Firm JETNET

From www.rtl-sdr.com 2 weeks ago in Blogs

Today news has come out that ADS-B Exchange (ADSBx) founder Dan Streufert has sold ADSBx to a private firm called JETNET for (an estimated) $20 million. Dan was the sole owner of ADSBx, and after the sale he remains employed...

The Meteor M2 LRPT Weather Satellite has Failed

From www.rtl-sdr.com 2 weeks ago in Blogs

Meteor M2 is a Russian meteorological satellite whose LRPT transmissions at 137 MHz were relatively easily received by anyone with a simple satellite antenna and an RTL-SDR and computer. Meteor M2 was launched in July 2014, and it should not...