RTL-SDR adapter advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: ESXi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2019, 11:53:24 am
content: Yo guys,I want to start playing with Realtek SDR stuff, cheap amateur level. What is a decent adapter from China (AliExpress).Don't want to buy a super low price reciever. Because they might have noise issue or some other problem like overheating IC lock issue.This should be a good one, right or is there a better one?"RTL-SDR Blog V3 RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO HF BiasT SMA Software Aluminium shielded case Defined Radio R820T2 tuner"https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000152938249.htmlAnd for 2.4ghz I need a MMDS downconverter + adapter.I was thinking of these two (check below). For sure they aren't like really good quality but will it do the job or give me more headache and is it recommended to just pay a little bit more?Antenna"China factory original New Design 1838MHz MMDS downconverter for capturing 2.4GHz signals on RTL-SDR"https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32910376325.htmlAdapter"MMDS downconverter power supply/adaptor 18v 200mA work with antenna"https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32819809145.htmlAnd need a SMA male/female cable to connect them up of course.I want to buy this to play with some nRF24 ISM band stuff, maybe even with a ATtiny85 to change the transceiver or receiver parameters like channel, address and so forth to make two devices "compatible" of course I then need to connect the nRF24 up to another AVR(ATtiny85) programmed to do what it should do with the right parameters.Thing is first I need to be able to debug, but is it even possible to sniff a nRF24 and get a the information needed this way to make another receiver for the nRF24 that is listening on the right channel, right baud-rate and base address or is this information not possible to just sniff up with a SDR because of how the ISM band works?

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2019, 12:06:15 am
content: The classic full featured RTL-SDR dongle is RTLSDRv3.I suggest you to buy it from official stores (you can found the list of genuine sellers onhttps://www.rtl-sdr.com/genuine/):https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32939551915.htmlhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/RTL-SDR-Blog-V3-RTL2832U-1PPM-TCXO-HF-BiasT-SMA-Software-Defined-Radio/272411458376https://www.amazon.com/stores/node/10230687011If you buy from other seller, there is almost 99% risk that you will get fake.RTLSDRv3 has the best performance in comparison with other cheap usb dongles. If you want something better, it will cost you more than 300 usd.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2019, 12:10:09 am
content: Quote from: ESXi on October 25, 2019, 11:53:24 amNo! This is fake. Just compare pictures with official stores and you will find difference. There is fake rtlsdr inside. You cannot receive shortwave with this fake.I strongly suggest you to buy from official sellers (see links above). Because there is a very high risk to get fake RTLSDR.

author: ESXi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2019, 06:32:39 pm
content: Quote from: radiolistener on October 26, 2019, 12:10:09 amThat's right, I was at work and had no time to fully read the RTL-SDR website, but I wanted to compile a list of parts that were needed for the project. Very stupid but through aliexpress I could not order the real OEM dongle, only only through eBay. Anyway this is not a disaster. I will order via eBay. Saw that there was indeed a difference and the RTL-SDR website also said that the fake dongles can have problems and get no support. For that 4 or 5 euro discount I will not order fake via Aliexpress, but I'll go for eBay.What about the MMDS downconverter and antenna, are they good enough for the job? Don't need it for long range stuff. It's just for in my office at home for some reverse engineering fun.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2019, 08:34:19 pm
content: Quote from: ESXi on October 26, 2019, 06:32:39 pmon ebay you can buy the same fake as on aliexpress. They selling fakes on both markets. But on ebay there is higher risk to lose your money.If you want genuine RTLSDR, buy here:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32939551915.htmlThis is official seller.

author: ESXi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2019, 11:41:12 am
content: Quote from: radiolistener on October 26, 2019, 08:34:19 pmThe funny thing is on AliExpress it only shows me the fake sellers because the real seller does not ship to my country. I was searching for almost 30 minutes without any success. They I went to my laptop and found it but AliExpress hides results that do not ship to your country and only show the fake items. This is why I mentioned eBay. I also dislike eBay because of bad experience, anyways they are some good sellers but they don't sel electronics but bycicle parts such as oil seals, which are indeed good.Anyways I will order from the original OEM store on eBay, there's no other way for me to get a real one.EditQuote from: ESXiCan you give me some feedback about the above quote if possible?I would like to order the items otherwise I will have to wait a lot longer because of the holidays. Thanks

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2019, 11:46:33 am
content: Quote from: ESXi on October 27, 2019, 11:41:12 amjust tried to switch deliver to Netherlands and official seller really cannot deliver it. This is strange...

author: ESXi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2019, 11:50:56 am
content: Quote from: radiolistener on October 27, 2019, 11:46:33 amYep, it is really strange. It did really amze me when I found out that AliExpress hides the real product and places the fake ones up front (using AliExpress on Android).I found the real store using Google search

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2019, 04:01:55 pm
content: use an Pc.Do you buy something I could give you some Advice.

author: ESXi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2019, 06:53:54 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 27, 2019, 04:01:55 pmI often don't use my pc anymore after work for example. If I have been behind my computer for 8 hours at work I don't really turn it on after work like I used to do back in the days, this is why I'm used to buying from my phone and also AliExpress give you discount when ordering from their Android app, so why not. I know, it might be a privacy issue or they collect data (I don't really mind)..So far I have a really good expeirince with AliExpress, never been scammed always got my items, had a few things like seller sending me wrong items but always got my money back, also recently ordered a replaement digitizer for an old Samsung tablet. Unfortenly the digitizer was faulty or it was a bad knock off. Anyways I got my money back.Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 27, 2019, 04:01:55 pmQuote from: ESXiCan you give me some feedback about the above quote if possible?I would like to order the items otherwise I will have to wait a lot longer because of the holidays.Do you also know if this is even possible?Sniffing a nRF24 ISM to get the information needed this way to make another receiver for the nRF24 that is listening on the right channel, right baud-rate and base address or is this information not possible to just sniff up with a SDR because of how the ISM band works?

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2019, 07:17:37 pm
content: I use an Cashback Site to get Cashback when I buy there some stuff.