Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 SDR - NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) Software Defined Radio. Premium RTLSDR w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input & Aluminum Enclosure. RTL2832U & R820T2 (R860)-Based Radio

Other than the getting the appropriate drivers installed (hard as Chinese math), its a very good product. The driver problem was my failure to read instructions properly on NooELCs web site. My bad. The stick works very well. Sensitivity level is outstanding and doesnt drift. I have always had great success with NooElec products and HIGHLY recommend the company and this Premium RTL-SDR stick to you.

First off I have been a ham radio operator since the 80s and hold an extra class (top) rating. I was looking for a very portable scanner that I could take along on my travels to listen to airline frequencies (also a private pilot) that wouldnt take up a lot of space in my full under seat bag nor look suspicious while in the airport, as a standard scanner might. The good news is that it does work, the bad news is that there are some limitations. The idea of slapping a small antenna on it and plugging into a cell phone or tablet with an OTG adapter is not feasible. The main issue is that the SDR radio draws more power than the OTG via the usb port can deliver. Solution, purchase a powered USB cable. This allows you to plug one end into a charging battery, which I always travel with, which powers the radio and doesnt drain the phone or tablet. https://www.amazon.com/Degree-Angled-Female-Enhancer-Adapter/dp/B071X8BCFH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=powered+usb+cable+otg&qid=1552141974&s=gateway&sr=8-3 Then you will need an extension USB cable to the phone or tablet so you can place the unit in suitable position, and any adapters to your particular phone, USB to C, etc. Easily done and not expensive. Then there is the antenna! The beauty of this Radio is that it is extremely wide band covering below commercial FM to 1.700 Ghz or more. This covers most of the commercial bands including Aircraft, first respondeners, most walkie talkie and even cell phones. Note that many systems on those bands are encrypted and not easily monitored. The beautiful thing about this SDR radio is the spectrum display, or waterfall which will show you a chunk of the band and all the active frequencies. You are able to simply slide your virtual vernier to a hot spot and monitor the frequency. In addition there is a running visual display of all the activity on that part of the spectrum so you can see frequencies with intermittent activity. You also can easily select all the common radio modulation schemes, like AM, FM, FM narrow, amateur radio SSB USB, LSB and CW, etc. Of course, you will need an antenna and unfortunately antennas are tuned to the frequencies you want to listen to. Very critical if you are transmitting, less so for receiving. For example, international ham radio frequencies have a wave length of around 65 feet (20 meters) the length of a full wave antenna. 1/4 wave antennas also work at approximately 16 feet. Not practical to carry around plus you will need an additional adapter (Ham it up) to receive the lower frequencies. On the other hand a 1700 MX signal close to the top end of LTE cellphone data as a full wave length of 6. For receiving a wide band scanner antenna is probably your best bet like: https://www.amazon.com/AEcreative-Wide-Band-Scanner-BCD396XT-BCD436HP/dp/B07HWLSNQP/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3RCJLW4EP4MW&keywords=wideband+scanner+antenna&qid=1552143429&s=electronics&sprefix=wide-band+scanner+antenna+%2Celectronics%2C205&sr=1-8 When looking for an antenna you will need an SMA female connector. Lastly, you will need software for your phone, tablet or computer. Some of it is open source and free (donation) and others have a demo version and a small fee ($5-10) for the Android / IOS versions. Try before you buy! All in all a great product with serious applications.

Ive been using UniTrunker software with a cheaper receiver that had the RTL2832U & R820T Tuner. It worked, but drift corrections were massive, the receiver was easily overloaded, and sensitivity/selectivity was not up to par. This little NooElec receiver basically fixes all of those issues for just a few dollars more. Since it uses the same receiver and tuner, it was a simple drop in replacement of my other receiver. It took off and began working immediately. I track a VHF trunked P25 system that has simulcast issues from time to time. It can really whack the receivers while trying to listen to distant towers. I wont say this NooElec receiver is completely immune to the RF onslaught but it is heads and tails above slightly cheaper versions. I also attempted to listen to an adjoining state 800 P25 system. My old receiver would BARELY register a control channel while the NooElec, using same antenna and gain settings, is easily able to hold the tower and provide reliable decode over 60ish air miles. It also comes with a real connector!!!! Those infuriating MCX connectors so commonly seen are completely negated by the NooElec and its SMA connector. Overall, if your software requires a receiver with the RTL2832U & R820T Tuner, it is hard to beat the NooElec with radios even twice as expensive. Very happy with the upgrade.

While this SDR may work the same in terms of the firmware as other SDRs, it has a much better build quality, and I appreciate that.

Works great on a Pi 3 using OP25 to decode local Sheriff dispatch and stream to Broadcastify.

Fantastic SDR! Very compact for traveling and with a USB OTG cable and an android tablet, this dongle makes the perfect gift/stocking stuffer for a techie person or a radio enthusiast. Best price out there and the quality for the price cant be beat. Gets a little warm sometimes but not enough to burn your hand. Overall, I am happy with my purchase and Id definitely recommend it.

NEVER WORKED

Expect any little movement or vibration to affect USB connection and require you to restart the software. Other than that, It receives well and I have finally found some software I like.

Read good reviews of this SDR, was expecting a great product. It sure looks nice, and well built. However, it does not work. Yes, I downloaded the driver I was supposed to, and installed it. No problem. Then, I downloaded the SDR software. No go. So, I downloaded another one of the 4 recommended software bundles to use with the NESDR. No go. Then, I downloaded the 3rd recommended software. No go. Cannot tell if it is hardware failure or I just cannot make any of the software talk to it. It does not matter if I am not a software engineer, a buyer should be able to install this and plug it in and it works. That is simply NOT the case. For the record, I am an electrical engineer and a P.E. and I know my way around computers. If I cannot make it work, how does the average user make it work? Edit: I should add that I also have one of the RTL-SDR.com dongles and it works just fine in the same computer. I suspect the NooElec dongle I received was defective. Thank you for the comments and suggestions. By the way- Amazons return policy is excellent!