Reddit reviews NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR & DVB-T USB Stick (RTL2832 + R820T2) with Antenna and Remote Control

Here's the ADS-B receiver that I have. It's really simple to setup.

Hi, you can instead get:

http://amzn.com/B00MV6TAJI
and
http://amzn.com/B00P2UOU72

But it won't have the software pre-loaded. See the instructions on http://stratux.me under "Loading the Software" on how to do this.

That is the only real difference.

I've contacted the seller now to see what happened to the pre-loaded kit, I think it has sold out.

Here's another candidate - the RasHAWK. A RaspberryPi + Arduino DFing system. This could probably be built for about $250. If you were poor and desperate you could make a workable version for $180 or so.

It utilizes an RTL-SDR as its receiver, which is a $20 USB dongle you can get on Amazon (I have one, they're pretty nifty. A great place to start if you want to get into SDR.)

I got my kit for $85 from amazon (raspberry pi and antenna), and you could even get it cheaper if you wanted. Here's fr24's instructions, although you may need some more help like I did setting up the raspberry pi.

I emailed them about this. Here's the reply I got:


> It contains the same high-accuracy standard crystal as our NESDR Mini, 25PPM instead of 100PPM+ used in 'generic' RTL-SDRs.
>
> Kind Regards,
> Sarah
> NooElec Inc.
>
> On Wed, Nov 5, 2014 at 8:11 PM, NooElec Contact Form <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Name: [removed]
> E-mail: [removed]
> Telephone: [removed]
>
> Comment: Hello,
> Does your new NESDR Mini 2 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2UOU72/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00P2UOU72&linkCode=as2&tag=txtl02-20&linkId=WF4ONOBNSWPHGNUC) have the same crystal as that in a normal RTL-SDR with a normal R820T, or does it have an improved crystal? If it is improved, what are the specifications of the improved crystal?

Oh! Sorry. Well, it's actually not that expensive! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UOU72?psc=1

Instead of the R820T, I suggest the R820T2 which has improved sensitivity and noise characteristics.

For DXing (long distance), you can get a shortwave receiver with SSB for under $100 (example). If you want to transmit back to those stations you would require a HF transceiver and a ham license (in the US, General-class is recommended). You can get a 1980s-vintage model used for $250-350. Or a new one like the FT-450 for $650-700. Also required for a transceiver would be a power supply or 12V battery, an antenna, and possibly an antenna tuner.

http://www.amazon.com/NooElec-Receiver-Compatible-Packages-Guaranteed/dp/B00P2UOU72/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1415227534&sr=8-4&keywords=nooelec+r820t2

The frequency range on the USB stick is from 24MHz-1750MHz. I have a quadcopter with a 15 minute flight time, 500 meter range that receives signals at 2.4Ghz, and am looking into getting an ultra-light weight video camera + transmitter that transmits at 5.8Ghz. The dongle wouldn't be able to detect the signals and at several hundred feet in the noise would be inaudible.

Sure, you might be able to detect military drones but if you're going to be worried about drones you should be worried about consumer ones more than military ones. Very few people have access to military drones and chances are a Predator drone isn't going to do an airstrike on you.

Yes, I am using this: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P2UOU72

NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR & DVB-T USB Stick (RTL2832 + R820T2) with Antenna and Remote Control

Ninja edit: they're not specific to airband, but coupled with the RTL-SDR software I linked to in another reply and an adequately-tuned rooftop antenna (I use the Telewave ANT125F2, but you can get good results for much cheaper or even DYI) you'll be monitoring the airband in no time. You can also improve the signal-to-noise ratio with a filter such as this one. You'll also need to install Icecast 2 to stream from the RTL-SDR software.

How would I know which version of the radios I have? edit:
I have these

http://sdr.osmocom.org/trac/wiki/rtl-sdr

Get one with Elonics E4000 chipset & another with Rafael Micro R820T or R828D chipset.

The reasons for this choice are that the E4000 covers a higher range 52 - 2200 MHz BUT with a gap from 1100 to 1250 MHz

While the other has no gap but it is limited to 1766 MHz.

In other words one gives you a higher reception range but with a 150MHz gap and the other covers this gap, used separately of course.

Never get a dongle with an RF Antenna connector (old TV antenna connector that looks like this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_aerial_plug) because I heard it degrades signal reception.

If you are just starting, do not worry too much just get this one:
https://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-RTL2832-Antenna/dp/B00P2UOU72/

Remember once you are done to edit your post at the end indicating that. :)

Communications enthusiast here, browsing the sub. I know of people who have picked up almost every "world leader"'s aircraft, Air Force One and various other "big shots" included. If you're radiating ADS-B, anybody with a $20 "software defined radio" stick from Amazon and a free piece of software can locate you.

NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR & DVB-T USB Stick (RTL2832 + R820T2) with Antenna and Remote Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UOU72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_sM-MwbB15DFP5

these are the blog SDRs
http://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-RTL2832-Antenna/dp/B00P2UOU72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450573736&sr=8-1&keywords=nooelec

and this is the new one..

http://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-Compatible-Guaranteed/dp/B00VZ1AWQA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450573736&sr=8-2&keywords=nooelec

which one are you ACTUALLY using..

Or a DVB Tuner / RTL-SDR used to watch broadcast TV in Europe or view/record wireless signals everywhere else.

(Remote comes with one like this - but don't buy that one. Buy one like this or this for better shielding - and the first one won't cover up three USB ports on a /r/raspberrypi.)

See /r/rtlsdr

you need to get a USB tuner like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UOU72?psc=1

than you can listen in to these acurite temp/humidity sensors https://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-06002M-Wireless-Temperature-Humidity/dp/B00T0K8NXC/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1497352868&sr=1-1&keywords=acurite+592tx


using rtl_433 on the same RPi running HA. the program will spit out mqtt which you can template to get the temp and humidity values. I've been running this setup for the last six months and it's solid.

I'm in the UK. Is this an acceptable substitute?

"NooElec NESDR Mini 2 USB RTL-SDR & ADS-B Receiver Set, RTL2832U & R820T2 Tuner, MCX Input. Low-Cost Software Defined Radio Compatible with Many SDR Software Packages. R820T2 Tuner & ESD-Safe Antenna Input, Guaranteed"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00P2UOU72/

This is what I got...but a Vilros package:
http://www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Aviation-Set-Micro-Pre-loaded/dp/B01BX1QSFK?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

With:

http://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESDR-Mini-RTL2832-Antenna/dp/B00P2UOU72?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

That is the only thing i have plug in. Power sources i used, what came with the package and a 5v wall plug

hope this helps and thanks for your time, much appreciated

If you're crafty enough you could assemble an ADS-B receiver out of a Raspberry Pi parts are available on Amazon.de and Amazon.co.uk (I looked on Amazon.nl but they don't stock them).

You could then build your own antenna such as a coax colinear which doesn't require any soldering, just a hobby knife and electrical tape (PVC pipe optional but recommended).

Edit: direct links for parts

Raspberry Pi
RTLSDR (the receiver)
MCC to F adapter (this ships from China, be prepared to wait a month)

Make everything from RG6 TV coax which you can get pretty much anywhere for pennies and don't worry about anything referring to "impedance matching" are my two suggestions.

Ah yes sorry.

I'm using the NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR with stock antenna. It's frequencies are 24MHz-1750MHz. And what "settings" do you mean? There are multiple tabs that have settings.