RF Spectrum analyzer for less than $50US

[bruce]

Frequency offset: Yes, see the “Adjusting Frequency Correction” section in http://www.atouk.com/SDRSharpQuickStart.html

 

Displaying a wider freq range: The max range is a function of the bandwidth of the device, and for most of the cheapie units is around 2 of 3 MHz. Some of the more sophisticated devices will do 10.

[paulears]

I had to adjust the onset on mine too as it was misreading. The only annoyance is that windows insists on re-installing the wrong driver for it every time, so I have to run the driver utility first, then start the software or it can't communicate with the dongle. windows 10 does this on other USB devices I have - which is annoying and I've not found a way to prevent to doing it yet!

[sandall]

Thanks Bruce. It's a nice clear guide, but unfortunately the current software (v1.0.0.1444) has a different GUI, which doesn't appear to offer frequency correction (mine varies from 4.5kHz low at VHF to 38kHz low at the top of Ch.70), unless there is a less-visible work-round.

 

I downloaded (& printed-off) that guide yesterday - today I'm locked out - curious.

 

 

Edited July 13, 2016 by sandall

[scjb]

Don't use the RTL's too much myself, but I believe there can be some temperature drift as the oscillator warms up, so worth letting them settle down (in a stable environment!) before setting the offset. Example linky, many more knocking around. I seem to recall one chap even immersing his set-up in an oil-bath to keep the temperature as constant as possible...

 

ETA: didn't see the previous replies before making this one. Apologies if redundant.

Edited July 13, 2016 by scjb

[paulears]

I downloaded the version linked to above, and it has the offset capability? Did you download something different?

[sandall]

I was looking for a "Front end" tab, but I see in the current version it's been replaced by the Config cog. Offset now sorted, though as expected it drifts quite a bit while warming up.

 

Thanks to all for your help. It's a great little toy.

Edited July 13, 2016 by sandall

[sandall]

Anyone know where / how to find the pre-2015 version of SDRSharp ? My "toolbag" laptop is still XP, which the current version of SDRSharp doesn't support.

[paulears]

There's another an offset adjustment in the 'cogwheel' box with the gain slider - I've just noticed.

[sandall]

In the current version that seems to be the only one

[sandall]

If anyone else wants to install SDR on an XP machine there is a link to the 2015 XP version (same GUI as the Win 7/10 version) on http://www.sdrplay.c...topic.php?t=248 which works fine, once you find where the dongle is hidden in the devices list

[sandall]

Update on this. Having updated my Win-7 laptops to Win-10 a few months back I recently found that SDR no longer recognised the RTL dongle. After a bit of faffing around, I installed Zadig 2.5 & then used it to reinstall the driver for the dongle. All is now well.