NooElecRTL-SDR v5 Bundle - NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) Software Defined Radio. Premium RTLSDR w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input, Aluminum Enclosure & 3 Antennas. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based Radio

The Nooelec NESDR SMArt v5 Bundle is a premium software-defined radio (SDR) kit designed to transform your computer, tablet, or smartphone into a versatile RF receiver. With a frequency range spanning from 100kHz to 1.75GHz, it caters to a broad spectrum of applications, including AM/FM radio, shortwave, CB, air traffic control, ADS-B, AIS, NOAA weather satellites, and more.⸻⚙️ Key Features• Wide Frequency Coverage: Receives signals from 100kHz to 1.75GHz, supporting a vast array of radio communications.• Enhanced Performance: Compared to previous versions, the v5 offers up to 15dB improvement in HF signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and up to 6dB in VHF/UHF SNR.• High-Precision TCXO: Equipped with a 0.5PPM temperature-compensated crystal oscillator for improved frequency stability.• Robust Build: Housed in a black brushed aluminum enclosure with an integrated heatsink, ensuring durability and efficient heat dissipation.• Comprehensive Antenna Kit: Includes a magnetic antenna base with a 2m RG58 cable and three antenna masts: a variable-frequency telescopic antenna, a 433MHz fixed-frequency antenna, and a UHF fixed-frequency antenna.• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android operating systems.⸻👍 Pros• Versatile Reception: Capable of receiving a wide range of frequencies, making it suitable for various applications.• Improved Signal Quality: Enhanced SNR ensures clearer reception, especially in HF bands.• Portable and Durable: Compact design with a sturdy aluminum enclosure makes it ideal for both stationary and mobile setups.• User-Friendly: Plug-and-play functionality with extensive software support simplifies the user experience.⸻👎 Cons• Limited HF Performance: While it supports direct sampling for HF reception, optimal performance may require an upconverter like the “Ham It Up” for frequencies below 25MHz.• No Bias-Tee Power: The v5 lacks a bias-tee, which means it cannot power active antennas directly.• Heat Generation: Extended use can lead to the device becoming warm; adequate ventilation is recommended for continuous operation.⸻🧪 User ExperienceUsers have reported positive experiences with the NESDR SMArt v5, noting its sensitivity and ease of use. One user mentioned, “I was amazed at the system’s sensitivity with nothing but a telescopic antenna mounted indoors. All bands perform very well.”However, some users have pointed out the absence of a bias-tee and the device’s tendency to heat up during prolonged use. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall consensus is that the NESDR SMArt v5 offers excellent value for its price point.⸻🧰 ConclusionThe Nooelec NESDR SMArt v5 Bundle stands out as a versatile and cost-effective solution for both beginners and seasoned radio enthusiasts. Its broad frequency coverage, improved signal reception, and robust build quality make it a reliable choice for various SDR applications. While it has some limitations in HF performance and lacks a bias-tee, these are minor considerations given its overall capabilities and affordability.

This does what an SDR is supposed to. The included antennas will get you going, but do something better as soon as you can. With a small SBC and a copper tape antenna you can mount the entire setup, SDR and all, to the surface of a window.

Product was as expected and is functioning well. Possibly a small pamphlet could be added to give brief explanation of the different aerials that are included in the bundle and how each one is used with the product.

gets a little warm but otherwise great radio

When I bought this little SDR, I was a bit discouraged by how it took extra work to get it to function on windows. It eventually did and performed well... for a while (both in windows and linux). It had success working with SDR#, HDSDR, GQRX, and I suspect it would have worked with any SDR software. Well, I used it successfully yesterday and had no mishaps storing it as usual, however, today it does not work at all. It didn't last 6 months (more like a week of actual use). I seldom used it until the last two months when I began to learn how much more I could do with a SDR. I have no explanation nor advice on how to avoid this- it just quit working. I have tried (un/re)installing (yes, I know about Zadig). No changes were made to the system it was used on yesterday. It was powered off, then powered on today and it doesn't work anymore. This is NOT an installation or user issue. I have tried it on multiple ports and more than one system, windows, linux, nothing. Before this, I definitely would have given it 5 stars. This makes me a sad panda.Now I get to play the warranty game. I am extremely grateful for the 2-year warranty... now, how to go about starting that?**UPDATE**I spoke with the NooElec support team at: support@nooelec.comI must admit to being a bit surprised. Their response was incredibly fast. In fact, it was almost immediate. It was so late in the night, I didn't bother looking for a response, but it was there, and didn't appear to be a scripted automatic response. Their support was amazing. Even through email, Sarah was quite pleasant and easy to work with. The information I provided seemed uninformative to me, but I gave all the steps I took to troubleshoot, my observations and also the two screenshots I put here (my details were a bit more expansive than what I put here). It was all that was needed to determine what was wrong. In my case, it was not deemed worthy of salvage or further troubleshooting. This is apparently a rare issue as all NooElec stuff is burn-tested for 24 hours. A bad one got through, but that sort of thing inevitably happens to almost everyone's product. I'm not trying to be a commercial, or sound like their PR, lol... just expressing pleasant surprise. A 2 year warranty speaks pretty highly by itself!A replacement is now on the way. Looking forward to it. I wish all warranty support went this easily. If it weren't such an easy process and an experience which also gave me so much confidence in their products, I would have only taken the 1star to a 4star. This went so smoothly and painlessly, it deserves 5 stars. I had been pondering which SDR brand to toy with next after this one broke... but after this warranty support, I will definitely be buying more of these! I am a loyal customer now... and my first one was a dud.If you are shopping for SDRs, get one of these. If it breaks, they'll take care of you.

I bought this to be a mobile SDR device and meant to be deployed on the go. Setup was a breeze, the antenna base and wire are kind of a pain, but everything worked pretty well out of the box except one thing. The darn USB connector is just slightly too long or narrow to fit snugly in ANY USB port! I tried 2 laptops, a Raspberry Pi, an expensive vertical USB hub, the supplied extension... And no matter what I changed, moving the antenna to tune the radio would inevitably disconnect it from the computer. I tried it for almost two months all while in contact with customer service and they told me it was common to have it disconnect due to the weight and I needed to keep trying hubs and extensions... Well that's not very good advice for your product and I returned it because I tried nearly everything, but if you have a way to snug this thing up and leave it alone it would work great. If not, get the RTL-SDR Blog v4 it fits much better without any wiggling or disconnecting. It's really a shame because if this USB issue was fixed this would easily have 5 stars from me.