RTL-SDR V4 - Software Defined Radio (Explained)

❏ Equipment:
Video: Sony ZV-E10 + Sigma 16mm Lens & Canon 250d
Audio: Maono PD400X
Video Editor: Davinci Resolve
Audio Editor: Audacity
----------------------------
❏ Featured Product(s) (Affiliate):
RTL-SDR V4
➤Amazon.com: amzn.to/3xKyfFi
➤Amazon.ca: amzn.to/49JlqZ9
➤Amazon.co.uk: amzn.to/3U9SKTc
➤Amazon.de: amzn.to/3UqR7SH
➤eBay.com: ebay.us/V4b9jk
➤AliExpress.com: tinyurl.com/2f59nvyz
----------------------------
❏ Featured In Other Videos (Affiliate):
➤𝗥𝗚𝟯𝟱𝗫𝗫 𝗛: amzn.to/3UL6h5k
➤𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐗𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨-𝐢: amzn.to/4dt2L6U
➤𝗥𝟯𝟲𝗦 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱: amzn.to/3JOetv9
➤𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟱𝟬𝗱: amzn.to/44tTSpI
➤𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿: amzn.to/4b3s2mI
➤𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗪-𝟯𝟯: amzn.to/3UxG2hu
➤𝗠𝗮𝗼𝗻𝗼 𝗪𝗠𝟲𝟮𝟬 𝗟𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲: amzn.to/3UMgjDf
➤𝗕𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝟮.𝟱𝗞 𝟭𝟮𝟬𝗵𝘇 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻: amzn.to/3JMFHCu
➤𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗩-𝗞𝟱 (𝟴): amzn.to/3ygep4N
➤𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲: amzn.to/4a4zVqt
➤𝗦𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗭𝗩-𝗘𝟭𝟬: amzn.to/3JReLSk
➤𝗕𝗮𝗼𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗩-𝟱𝗥 (𝟴𝘄): amzn.to/4aarDO7
➤𝗠𝗫 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝘀: amzn.to/3UOzXOU
➤𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗔-𝟯𝟬: amzn.to/4a3SDyJ
➤𝗔𝗽𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗹 𝟲𝟬𝘅 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺: amzn.to/4aemnc6
➤𝗢𝗧𝗚 𝗜𝗥 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲: amzn.to/4bcmnLe
➤𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗶𝘅𝗼𝗼 𝟲𝟰: amzn.to/3QA0cGf
➤𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮 𝟭𝟲𝗺𝗺 𝗙𝟭.𝟰: amzn.to/3UL8nSK
➤𝗩𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝟮 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝗿: amzn.to/3UQi2rj
➤𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗡𝗣𝗛𝗢 𝗠𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱: amzn.to/3QzCdat
➤𝗥𝗧𝗟-𝗦𝗗𝗥 𝗩𝟰: amzn.to/3y08Jfd
➤𝗡𝗲𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗟𝟯𝟬𝟬: amzn.to/49wKZNr
➤𝗠𝗮𝗼𝗻𝗼 𝗣𝗗𝟰𝟬𝟬𝗫 𝗨𝗦𝗕 & 𝗫𝗟𝗥 Mic: amzn.to/3UsSP4Q
➤𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘅𝟳𝟰𝟬 𝗵𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 & 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁: amzn.to/3ULlUd1
➤𝗟𝗮𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸: amzn.to/4dqYL6Z
➤𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝟱: amzn.to/3woh4cc
➤𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟴-𝟯𝟬𝟬𝗺𝗺 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝘀: amzn.to/3QyiVC1
➤𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗱 𝟯 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝟭𝟱 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝘀: amzn.to/3Ww4i6a
➤𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲: amzn.to/44vVhvS
➤𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀: amzn.to/3QBfP0d
➤𝗛𝗣 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗸 𝟴𝟬𝟬 𝟲𝟱𝘄 𝗚𝟯 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶: amzn.to/44sHOF7
----------------------------
❏ Amazon Store Page:
www.amazon.com/shop/randomteq
----------------------------
❏ Disclaimer:
This is not a paid review. All the opinions on the video are my own. Using the product link(s) will earn me a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.
----------------------------
❏ Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:40 About RTL-SDR
02:29 Understanding Radio
04:56 Where To Buy
05:42 SDR Sharp
06:44 Installing SDR
10:25 Use On Your Phone
11:58 Built & Features
12:36 Signal Strength
14:38 Encrypted Signals
15:12 Signals You Can Pickup
15:48 Is It Legal?
16:13 Conclusion
----------------------------
❏ Donations:
If you wish to help with the production of future videos, you can donate using the following link on PayPal.
PayPal: www.paypal.me/ayubbb88
----------------------------
❏ Hashtags:
#airtraffic #radio #hamradio #sdrrtl @rtlsdr
----------------------------
❏ Music:
Bensound Music

[@kb8doa]

Keep in mind, that most aircraft communications (and services for them) utilize the AM mode. In your video, you had it in FM mode. Good job on the video, otherwise. It is nice to see that exploring radio no longer requires expensive radio scanners.

[@RandomTeq]

The feedback is much appreciated. My primary reason to get the device was to capture air traffic signals, and I seem to have a better luck capturing it on the WFM signal. I tried to specifically search for the information you just stated but was presented instead with countless unrelated answers. Hopefully, viewers will find your comment helpful.

[@Graeme_Lastname]

That's what I came here to say. 🤣🇦🇺🖖

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this video ! I just ordered one on Amazon with delivery estimated in 4 days.. This will be my second SDR.

[@RandomTeq]

Hey Steve, thanks for tuning in! Great hobby with a lot to explore. Once you're comfortable using it, you can explore the wideband LNA, which is a device that works with SDR devices and helps capture satellite images.

[@contra1981]

Great video bro! This was really helpful. Thank you!

[@jkrjhn8]

Fantastic video, thanks for taking the time to produce it!

[@RandomTeq]

Thank you so much!

[@Stephen-J-in-IA]

This is a very informative video. The installation portion has been especially useful to me. I can that tell you have invested a significant amount of time in research and production. Thank you and 73s!

[@RandomTeq]

I appreciate you, Stephen. Very kind. Thanks for dropping by. 73s.

[@jcp312]

Many Thanks, you've been most helpful in getting me running 😀

[@RandomTeq]

Thank you so much for the feedback!

[@philswede]

Greetings from Sweden! You, Sir, just got yourself a new subscriber 🎉

[@RandomTeq]

Thank you so much, Phil! Greetings back to my viewers in Sweden 🇸🇪

[@RafalOnVR]

Big thanks for this video !

[@donwon2576]

thanks for getting me up and running...i am HOOKED !

[@RandomTeq]

Pleasure 👍 🙂

[@hippy9835]

Fantastic information and thank you for sharing this information it's very well presented and easy to follow. I had to sub as I would look forward to any rmore vids.

[@RandomTeq]

I appreciate it! I'm glad you liked it 😀.

[@HellHound___0]

Im going to order this weekend Im excited to start using it

[@RandomTeq]

Order on eBay or Amazon, Aliexpress will delay shipping due to the Chinese spring break. Let us know how it goes once you set it up.

[@HellHound___0]

@@RandomTeq I definitely will and Thanks for sharing the links too I appreciate it I'm going to start using it with my Ubuntu/linux machine

[@RandomTeq]

I have a video coming soon on signal strengthening device for the SDR, more stuff on SDR if you enjoy this one.

[@HellHound___0]

@@RandomTeq Sounds good I will definitely be watching as I'm still new to this stuff good videos by the way

[@davidhollfelder9940]

For HF, you need a LONG, long wire antenna, an SMA to long wire balun, and AM and FM broadcast notch filters.. and know which sampling to use.

[@harryparis3326]

Great video. Thx a lot 😊

[@RandomTeq]

Much appreciated. Thanks for dropping by.

[@vitaliykondrenko742]

Good video to understand principles of device. But what if I need to use it as signal sender in variations of range instead? Is there options available at all or should I look at some different products?

[@RandomTeq]

Hello Vitaly, Just made a video on handheld radios, I would recommend the Quansheng Radio, it covers the entire spectrum and the most range for transmitting signal. amzn.to/3v4NE22

[@bobr3541]

Best video I've seen on sdr,.

[@RandomTeq]

Thank you so much, Bob!

[@danedewaard8215]

Good information video!!!! This will help others to get started in this wonderful hobby!

[@RandomTeq]

Very kind of you!! Thank you so much.

[@newtron9]

Nice job RT. I was wondering if you would be covering or have covered pairing two V4's through one antenna to pickup P25 communications, since most bigger cities are ditching Analog and going digital..........thank you!

[@RandomTeq]

Hey newtron, thanks for tuning in. I'm not familiar with the subject, but I'm up for the challenge.

[@ronclarkson5125]

Great introduction to SDR. I'd like to see some more vidios on this subject. Pulling pictures from NOAA satelites is what I'm currently trying to perfect, with the GEOS satelites being next.

[@RandomTeq]

I made a post on Reddit earlier and got some suggestions that made me realize that the SDR possibilities are huge indeed. Thank you for your encouraging words, very kind of you.

[@michaelmannel9534]

The antenna is completely in the wrong place! The PC interferes quite strongly on many frequencies. It is better to place the antenna as far away from the PC as possible.

[@RandomTeq]

Hey Michael, Thanks for the advice. I've had a better signal when away from the PC, but I just attributed it to a bad signal. It makes sense.

[@htx5649]

@@RandomTeqIt’s better to put antenna outside

[@lohitsinghi2674]

could you give advice about the different types of antenna to use, for what frequency. and is there a way to start auto scanning all frequencies ?

[@RandomTeq]

This is an antenna rated for 160KM/ 100 miles. s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkXnTqf As for the auto scanning, it's not built in the software, so it requires a bit of tinkering. Here's an article that walks you through the process. github.com/shajen/rtl-sdr-scanner-cpp

[@tomdonahoe3539]

I'm trying to run in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS but am having difficulty installing SDR Sharp. Any suggestions where to find LINUX instructions?

[@RandomTeq]

Ubuntu always seems to have issues running SDR Sharp since 20.04. Here is a solution I found online: Install WINE via apt. Install dotNET 4.8 via winetricks - force Install the Verdana font via winetricks Here's an article/page, 5 months ago, by a self-proclaimed Linux guys detailing how to run SDR Sharp with screen shots on github.com gist.github.com/grahamwhaley/094d62d88575141377f02fa92342fb7e He doesn't say which version he ran it on, but I will assume it works on the latest linux. Hope this helps.

[@EvertG8086]

Meh just use GQRX.

[@RandomTeq]

I checked it out, It seems like a good option. Clean interface!

[@Slimhaven1]

Great Video as I have been struggling to get this to work. I think I found problem but not sure where to find the .zadig file as it doesn't show up in my folder and when I try to run app it says device cant be found. I am a lot closer now with your video and I thank you for that and I too have now subscribed as your explanation is very clear and concise!

[@RandomTeq]

Im glad I could help. Go slow with the installation and be sure to run zadig as an administrator. www.rtl-sdr.com/getting-the-rtl-sdr-to-work-on-windows-10/

[@rodo19724]

Hi !! Greetings from Argentina !!!!!!! How can I use two Baofeng BF-999 and two arduinos to transmit and receive data over-the-air ?? Thanks !!!!!

[@RandomTeq]

Hello Rodolf, Thanks for dropping by. Unfortunately, your request is beyond my scope of knowledge. Here's a video that I found on how to transmit data via baofeng: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGPLgnSsndarhM0si=YOO_PUCAdJJZX5j2

[@KH07734]

I have 2 V3 versions that work fine but the V4 black version does not bring in any signals. Is there any software switches or settings I may be missing?

[@RandomTeq]

Do you mean it turns on, but you can't capture any signal?

[@KH07734]

It turns son and captures signal but nothing strong enough to use. Might have a bad one..@@RandomTeq

[@RandomTeq]

Increase the gain, its low be default.

[@newtron9]

Pretty sure the V4's need it's own driver, not the one for the v3

[@Playerpool]

I just ordered from ebay !

[@RandomTeq]

Awesome 👌

[@MrBecker666]

It ran but I pulled the antenna to make sure is picking up from there now it doesn't work DeviceMgr Says device is fine did I just burned it by pulling the antenna? Update: needed to specifically eject the RTL then it saw it again

[@RandomTeq]

I'm glad it worked out.

[@hafez591]

What about the sdr-sharp for android version?

[@RandomTeq]

The company that owns the software "air spy" doesn't make an android app.

[@agustawestland4434]

I got Error ''Cannot access RTL device'' problem. How can I fix that

[@RandomTeq]

I get this message when I forget to plug it to my PC. It simply means that it's not connected.

[@robertpaulson4960]

Both your computer and monitor most likely are emitting a ton of electronic noise being that close to the antenna

[@RandomTeq]

Correct, moved it away from the computer, and the signal improved. A comment suggested it earlier and it proved effective.

[@KlipschHead281]

I got this kit and signal reception is horrible, I'm close to some powerful stations and all are showing up weak, so far not impressed even a little. Tomorrow I'm going my SMA to N connector should be here so I can try a better antenna but this shouldn't need it for FM.

[@RandomTeq]

It takes a little bit of tweaking. If this is your first time trying it, I would suggest you adjust the settings. If you're using Airspy, make sure you crank up the gain. (Look for a horizontal bar with the heading" RF Gain"). If this doesn't work, share a screenshot of your settings on my Instagram.

[@jamesslick4790]

In my part of the world (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) 99% of police, fire and EMS calls are unencrypted analog UHF-FM. This SDR would receive them (and a Baofeng UV-5R is useful as a "scanner" here too!) and It's 100% LEGAL to LISTEN here! (in fact you can get the police frequencies for free from the US FCC database!) In the US it IS legal to monitor UNENCRYPTED police calls. (some states ban MOBILE scanners, But Pennsylvania does NOT).

[@RandomTeq]

US is generally OK, but it never hurts to check your state law. I added that part of the video because RTL SDR did have a similar article. Thank you for tuning in. Best of luck to you.

[@jamesslick4790]

Folks should absolutely check their national and local laws! (I know that some countries outlaw police call monitoring, for example.) Luckily in the US, it's TRANSMITTING without a license (or with the wrong license/equipment) that will get you in trouble. If it's unencrypted over the air radio, you are usually fine LISTENING here. But that might be vastly different world wide.@@RandomTeq

[@newtron9]

The only way to pick up p25 encrypted is with special permission and the code to do so, which is extremely rare. So check with your county and or city to see if theirs is encrypted or not!

[@matturner6890]

KSOWATCHAWANNADOISYAWANNA

[@okhouri]

Oh my God, this is full of inaccuracies and incorrect information

[@GrandpaMadeMeSwallow]

What did he get wrong?

[@GunnyWombat]

So many things in this video that are completely, fundamentally wrong. They don't understand the relationship between frequency and wavelength, they don't understand modulation, they don't understand propagation.

[@edpodellis]

I believe that SDR will be mainstream very soon , it will be become very popular and quickly accepted .