RTL-SDR V2 USB Software Defined Radio Receiver with Antenna
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$42.99at WalmartChecked Nov 5
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The RTL-SDR V2 is a USB dongle that turns a computer into a radio receiver. It uses the RTL2832U chipset with an FC0013 tuner, covering roughly 22 to 1100 MHz at about 2.4 MS/s with 8-bit sampling. It suits beginners and hobbyists who want to listen to FM, ham bands, aircraft ADS-B, ship AIS and weather satellites with free software. Against the RTL-SDR V4, it is cheaper and simpler but lacks the V4's better tuner, HF reception and higher stability, and the FC0013 tuner is less sensitive than the R820T2 found in many rivals.
Availability unknown
Lowest price we've seen: $42.99 on Nov 6 at Walmart. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 6.
Owners treat the V2 as a cheap entry point into SDR. They like that it works out of the box with common software, but note weaker reception and no HF coverage compared with newer models.
The RTL-SDR V2 is a USB software defined radio (SDR) receiver. It was originally designed for DVB-T TV reception. Community developers later opened it up for general radio reception. It plugs into a Windows, macOS or Linux computer and works with SDR software.
It can receive ADS-B signals from aircraft on 1090 MHz, which show flight paths, altitudes and call signs on screen. It can also tune local FM and AM broadcasts and listen to amateur (ham) radio bands. With free software, it can decode NOAA weather satellite images, ship positions (AIS) and various sensor data. It can also serve as a simple spectrum analyzer.
This is a receive-only device and cannot transmit or broadcast. It does not natively receive HF/shortwave signals below 24 MHz. An upconverter or the RTL-SDR V4 model is needed for HF.