HF Ham Radio with RTL-SDR Made EASY!

In this video, we take a look at how to configure SDR# to use the RTL-SDR Dongle to listen to HF Ham Bands, Short Wave and AM Broadcast.
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[@jackK5FIT]

Recently got my dongle and your videos helped me get it set up quickly. I've been using a mag mount dual band antenna in my shack to connect it to but I will probably use it with my EFHW this weekend. Thanks for the videos!! Jack K5FIT

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s awesome. Good luck with the EFHW 👍

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Ape, Never tried the RTL dongle. Several years ago on Ham Nation HRO had a flash sale, just for the duration of the show, to buy an RSP1a for $100 and I bought one. At the time that was $50 off. Have never regretted that purchase. :-) Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, SDR Play makes really great stuff. Thanks for watching Don 👍

[@osculant]

When changing frequencies with that VFO display, if you right click on a digit, it will zero it and everything to the right of it out, a good way to get back on frequency.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Well damn. I had no idea, that is an awesome tip…. Thanks man 👍

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Your making me want to dig that same dongle out of the misc bin I have and re install it on my laptop. In the past i would use mine when camping. Thanks for the video Ape. 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Get after it son, you’re burning daylight! They are a ton of fun to play with and really only require minimal set up. Thanks for checking out the video Kevin 👍🍻

[@JReed305]

I liked using it with SDRuno EXTIO. Gives you a bit of the feel of a traditional radio.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, fantastic software for sure.

[@Norm_KC9]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize the RTL-SDRs can go down that far into HF.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s pretty cool they can do that without all the other gizmos being sold.

[@embracethesuck1041]

Thanks for this. I recently tested for my general (still waiting for the FCC to bill me) and don't want to drop a bundle on an HF radio yet but want to try my hand at an antenna and already have a couple SDR dongles. Based on this, it sounds worth a shot.

[@TheSmokinApe]

These SDRs are a ton of fun, congrats on the General!

[@HamRadioDX]

Those things were out of stock for a long time, but I think they are back in now. Good work Ape

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Hayden, thanks for checking out the video bro...

[@AlanElBee]

Thanks Ape, I have one and this is the best Ham-oriented RTL setup video I've seen. 73, K7KS

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome! Glad you liked it Alan 👍

[@colinreece3452]

After having 2 different dongles and struggling to get them to work I stumbled on a website that has all this built in and I tune from that, I have picked up lots of ham and broadcast stations some on AM some on SSB, could have saved myself a lot of time and money if I had found the site sooner.

[@barnabas5688]

After a lot of messing around and some frustrating results, I have finally managed to get a reasonable working set up on HF with this SDR. My area is very noisy and using a conventional radio (e.g. Tecsun) is often difficult due to the noise. What has worked for me is using the RTL SDR v3, with an MLA30+ antenna outside in the garden, however I do not use the bias tee that came with the MLA as this seems to be quite noisy (and needs its own PSU). I enable the bias tee on the RTL SDR instead. I have noticed that there is quite a lot of aliasing of strong signals, an issue that is mentioned in the RTL SDR manual and use of a high or low pass filter is suggested for the half of the band not in use at the time. I guess that is just a limitation of this low cost device.

[@ogiejii7885]

I power the T with a phone charger battery pack, eliminated the noise and get many hours before recharge is needed.

[@tony2wheelz408]

Great job, I tried a third install and just don't get the same options that I see in the videos, Don't know what im doing wrong, another computer POEqui[ment that'll sit in a drawer.

[@n8sot]

The RTL-SDR really shines on HF with an Up-Converter. Ham it up UP Converter is the best!!!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haven’t messed with one of these yet.

[@timelord1137]

Band filters or a preselector are needed for this device - otherwise, due to the low dynamic range, it will collect everything from the antenna. But this is a wonderful thing for a penny that is capable of almost anything.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I agree that filters help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIWUkIdoateaack Thanks for watching TL.

[@norrinradd8952]

With a good antenna, I've received FT8 via WSJTX, 10 - 80 meters. RTL-SDR + Rpi + wire dipole (40 meters long).

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

I have one of those and they are a lot of fun.

[@TheSmokinApe]

They sure are, thanks for watching Adam 👍

[@rahmanbabaofficial2009]

Hi Sir,great video Sir,please tell me,which one frequency use (uhf or vhf) for the mobile calls listening?

[@rickeaston3228]

One thing I learned about SDR receivers is that they have very poor sensitivity. If you hook a short wire (10' or so) about the only thing I could hear was FM broadcasting and air craft flying over my house. These radios really need selectivity and RF gain (from amp) to really work. A full size outside antenna is virtually required. I can hook a 3 foot piece of wire to my xcvr and I can hear all kinds of signals.

[@norrinradd8952]

I can receive FT8 40m/20m on my RTL-SDR and a 6 meter vertical antenna. Works even better on the big wire, 40 meters long.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Howdy Ape, great video. Do you find that the dongle overheats after about 30-45 min of use? Am I doing something wrong? Lol I have a legit version... thanks for the knowledge!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey TMS, I do find they get quite toasty.

[@DonzLockz]

I also thought it did not do HF after seeing it in a comparison with other SDR's. Does it do HF simply from the EFHW in lieu of the optional budget vertical antenna? I never looked into this SDR after I saw that but was gonna save up for the RSPdx.

[@TheSmokinApe]

You need an appropriate antenna, really a long wire will do… AND to use the setting I showed.

[@DonzLockz]

​@@TheSmokinApeI got it setup today and it's working great. Now I just gotta build the CaHR antenna. :)

[@DR4Christ]

Could you get good reception out of the SDR out of a portable J-pole like the Ed Fong?

[@TheSmokinApe]

On uhf and vhf yes, that’s the setup I use 👍

[@brucerawiri7170]

Hi there. At the start of the part when you press "Start" on sdr software you were showing a very clean spectrum graph. Just wondering if you were using any filters or how you managed to get clean graph of peaks for signals and rest of spectrum was very low or low noise? Hope that makes sense I cannot get anything like what you are showing with peaks

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Bruce, I have it connect to a pretty decent 65" end fed half wave what is choked on both ends of the transmission line.

[@brucerawiri7170]

@@TheSmokinApe thanks bud. I have same EFHW for 40m-10m bands but no choke at either end, just 49:1 unun at feed point. Wonder what size chokes you are using on your antenna? Cheers heaps

[@nausher4188]

Will i need help from some of you peeps. I got the rtl-sdr and the mla-30, but i walked away my cat jumped on the keyboard , missed it up. i tryed to fix it. dnloaded the software again no luck. it says source not found but it shows that it is acknowledge, but not found. HELP

[@lancecruwys2177]

As a student, this is so interesting. I'm glad I found this channel. But why only click on AM at @6:45 instead of earlier?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I didn't go back a watch but it was likely because I recognized the signal as AM.

[@av3510]

This may be a dumb question, but could I hook this thing up to a duplexer and use it on the same antenna as a transmitter to act as a receiver ? I was thinking of building one of those QRPme Tuna Can transmitters.

[@TheSmokinApe]

You probably could with the right equipment 👍

[@av3510]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks! I dig your kit building videos. I don't think I've seen you do anything from QRPme. In fact I haven't seen any videos on all of KZbin of someone doing a kit build of their Super Tuna transmitter. Building that would be a must-watch!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I just might put it on the list, thanks for the idea AV.

[@gaptastic]

I had an RTL-SDR dongle several years before getting my ham license. Very fun! It's also cool to monitor plane traffic too, and it's so cheap.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Gap. Same here, I had one of the Euro ones from EBay 👍

[@Tump2010]

Good video, I have 2 of them and have gotten my moneys worth out of them.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Now if you could only find them 🤔

[@Tump2010]

@@TheSmokinApe lol

[@danedewaard8215]

I think you can improve your HF s/n ratio by adding an AM Broadcast filter! Good video, thanks!!!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

For sure, I actually have a video on that. Thanks for watching Dan 👍

[@danedewaard8215]

@@TheSmokinApe Now that you mention it, I do remember you had a video on the AM filter! Sorry, I'm a few years past my prime!!!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

So am I Dan! Thanks for checking in 👍

[@johnbspringer]

what is need to cover all HAM Bands? Did you hook this directly to your antenna or to a tuner and what adapter did you use?

[@TheSmokinApe]

You can listen all ham bands within the range of the receiver, I used a make sma to so-239 adapter and connected directly to my antenna 👍

[@MrCcfly]

which antenna u suggest for radio/tv watching indoor apartment

[@TheSmokinApe]

You would likely need two different antennas, loops are popular for folks in apartments.

[@jdschauss]

I'd love to use one of these for MW listening. Let me know if this sounds like an acceptable antenna: SMA to F Connector, shielded run of RG6(to block any noise from inside the house) up to an aluminum bracket outside about roof level, ground the bracket to a ground rod below, then run 100 feet of wire coming off the center conductor out through my trees as high up as I can get it.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Try it out and see what happens 👍

[@pooppyybuhhole]

does the antenna need to be outside? i just bought the beginner kit but i can only seem to pick up a few FM stations :(

[@TheSmokinApe]

You will get better reception with the antenna outside.

[@AlexTrr]

Same issue, beginner kit as well. I will try outside

[@edbarber6932]

Ape, I followed your RTL-SDR directions to a T. I have plugged in the dongle into a USB 3.0 port. Either, the dongle will not work on USB 3.0 or I have a fake dongle.. Anny suggestions. Thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

Did you try USB 2.0? Where did you get the dongle?

[@edbarber6932]

Sadly, my HP laptop only has (3) USB 3.0 ports. I purchased my RTL-SDR dongle through Amazon. Hmm. Advice please 1. buy a USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 converter cable 2. or bite the bullet and buy the dongle from AirSpy. Thanks, Ed

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@edbarber6932 I don’t know if a 2.0 will fix it, should be fine with 3.0

[@edbarber6932]

Thank you sir. Have a good one.

[@ManuelPinner]

I have a SDR Play RSP DX and a Adalm Pluto SDR for DATV Reception with SDR Angel Software,

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sounds like serious business over there, thanks for watching Manuel.

[@telosfd]

Hi i am looking for air band! Is that able?

[@TheSmokinApe]

You can get air band on an SDR 👍

[@Barc0d3]

4:41 clip it! :D Perfect out of context moment.

[@princearthur4946]

I wonder if anyone could answer one very simple question! I recently purchased RTL-SDR Version 3 for monitoring world band radio stations and HAM HF bands. I have listened to many tutorials on the subject, but so far, no one has been clear and specific about a direct and easy-to-understand question: What is the name, brand, or model number of the best software for PC and/or Mac computers. Any specific answer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey PA, for windows use SDR# / SDRsharp and for Mac use CubicSDR or SDR++ 👍

[@any1alive]

kinda havbing trouble too, but im only a few hours in, so far, making sure the dipoles the right length and outside works well XD, and.... usign speaker wire tied to the end of the dipole to extend it works pretty alright fr when you need ot logner than 1.2m on each leg XD

[@Eyes_In_Your_Darkness]

Hi, Have you got an install guide for windows 11 with SDR Sharp

[@TheSmokinApe]

I don't at the moment, it's on the list.

[@Eyes_In_Your_Darkness]

@@TheSmokinApe ok thank you. Thank you for your videos 👍

[@goku445]

How do you know when to switchto USB or LSB or AM? Just trial and error?

[@TheSmokinApe]

As you gain experience you will be able to see an AM signal, it will have both upper and lower sidebands and a carrier signal. For ham radio it's typically USB on 20m and up and LSB below 40m 👍

[@goku445]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks!

[@ruffocracia]

Has anyone achieve this with rtl-sdr v3 and sdrangel? I go the Linux way but I can't yet figure out the correct settings of sampling, decimation and filtering. I'm also aware of the direct sampling mode but again, I can't really find directions about fine tuning values.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I have never used sdrangle

[@jjrobiso]

Shouldn’t it be for Lower Side band?

[@TheSmokinApe]

20 and up is upper, I may have said the wrong thing 👍

[@axi6ne8us]

I tried this with my magnetic loop antenna. All the HF bands are dead, except for FM. couldn't pick up any signals on 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m ... zip! nada!

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Now that I'm a HAM with a radio I'm wondering if I should keep my dongle or pass it along to a tech like free droggas. Lol

[@TheSmokinApe]

I still use mine often, in fact I ordered a second.

[@karlmadsen3179]

Interesting....

[@TheSmokinApe]

I thought so, thanks for watching Karl 👍

[@shanerorko8076]

I have one of these and the noise it picks up is horrid on HF. I did wind the cable it comes with around a FT240-43 which I think is RG174 and it cut out a lot of noise on the FM broadcast band. I've seen Airspy and SDRplay SDRs on YT and they seem much better with noise. Also I listen to a few KiwiSDR stations here in Australia and when those SDRs are mated to a T2FD or a big loop they're very quite.

[@Scaliad]

Can this RTL-SDR really tune down to 500kHz with no other requirements?

[@3asyrider75]

yes but you need an antenna for the frequency band. I have done 20m with success. Low frequencies may be difficult without additional filters as the noise floor on these can be high.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’ve never attempt to go that low.

[@3asyrider75]

@@TheSmokinApe I don’t think many can do 160m. Even a 1/4 wave vertical is going to be huge!

[@norrinradd8952]

Not a fair comparison to amateur radio, but to answer your question, I listen to AM stations one state over below 600kHz. I also have no problem picking up 80m FT8. Reported to PSKReporter, every continent with an RTL-SDR and a wire dipole. Haven't tried 160m.

[@3asyrider75]

@@norrinradd8952 What size of dipole do you have? I made one for 20m around 32” half wave dipole.

[@pen25]

need to tune to a known beacon and then calibrate

[@Newlife-ol6pk]

But if i need lower than 500 khz? Others are starving from 100 khz.

[@TheSmokinApe]

The SDRPlay RSP1a goes down to 1khz

[@TheJONNYSHADOW]

Just to clarify for me, this dongle does not require any software other than the sdr sharp component?.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It does not 👍

[@SFD45182]

Starts at 3:11

[@TheSmokinApe]

Probably about the same time they will see your comment 👍

[@ZeroHarry]

unsubscribed

[@almightyEsquilax]

OK, hater

[@ZeroHarry]

@@almightyEsquilax Haha not a hater! I posted a positive comment twice) on this video including a comment about another feature... Well both times it was deleted. Why????

[@TheSmokinApe]

hey ZH, I don't see them.

[@ZeroHarry]

​@@TheSmokinApe Hello Ape, thank you for taking the time to reach out to me. I posted the same comment twice and for some reason on both occasions the comments were deleted. My comment went something like this… “Smokin video Ape” and proceeded to mention a feature that you may or may not know regarding the Airspy server network option and searching for sdrsharp-guide-v4-2. Cheers

[@weedeater64]

Can this be done with gqrx or other Linux software that is in the repos? If not, what is a good software that runs on linux from third parties?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes, you can use gqrx or SDR++ 👍

[@williamgreenleaf9302]

KD2QOJ Fun video. Thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out William 👍