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Mini RTL-SDR USB-C Dongle | Portable Radio Receiver for Signal Exploration
Mini RTL-SDR USB-C Dongle | Portable Radio Receiver for Signal Exploration
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Turn your computer into a radio receiver with the Mini RTL-SDR Dongle. Connect a suitable antenna to the SMA female antenna connector, connect the dongle to your computer through USB-C, and use compatible SDR software to listen to broadcasts, track aircraft, explore satellite signals, or inspect the radio spectrum.
Built around the RTL2832U and R860 chipset, this compact receiver combines wide frequency coverage, a precision TCXO, a software-controlled 5V bias tee, and HF direct sampling inside a CNC-machined aluminium enclosure.
✨ Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| RTL2832U + R860 Tuner | 100 kHz–1.74 GHz reception across HF, VHF, UHF, and L-band. Suitable for ADS-B, NOAA, FM, ATC, and more. |
| TCXO Oscillator | Temperature-compensated oscillator with a maximum initial offset of 1 ppm and temperature drift of 0.5–1 ppm for accurate tuning and stable decoding. |
| 5V Bias Tee | Powers compatible active antennas and LNAs through coax. Software-controlled on/off with a side LED status indicator. |
| HF Direct Sampling | Receives 100 kHz–28.8 MHz without an upconverter, covering shortwave, mediumwave, longwave, and amateur HF bands. Enabled through software. |
| Aluminium Alloy Housing | CNC-machined enclosure provides RF shielding and passive cooling. Compact dimensions: 54 × 26 × 10 mm. |
| USB-C Interface | Reversible connector for compatible laptops, tablets, and single-board computers. Works with USB-C to USB-A adapters. |
🖥️ Applications
| Application | Uses |
|---|---|
| Aviation & Marine | ADS-B aircraft tracking at 1090 MHz; air traffic control voice at 118–137 MHz; AIS vessel tracking at 162 MHz. |
| Weather & Satellites | NOAA weather satellite imagery at 137 MHz; Meteor-M2 LRPT weather images; GOES geostationary satellite data. |
| Signal Intelligence | Trunked radio system monitoring; ISM band and IoT signal analysis; POCSAG/FLEX pager decoding; RF spectrum scanning and recording. |
Please Note: These applications require suitable antennas and compatible software. Satellite reception may require additional receiving equipment.
📋 Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuner Chipset | RTL2832U + R860 |
| Frequency Range | 100 KHz – 1.74 GHz |
| HF Direct Sampling | 100 KHz – 28.8 MHz (no upconverter needed) |
| Oscillator | TCXO — 1 PPM max. initial offset, 0.5–1 PPM temperature drift |
| Bias Tee | 5V, software-controllable, LED status indicator |
| USB Connector | USB-C |
| Antenna Connector | SMA female |
| Housing | CNC-machined aluminium alloy |
| Dimensions | 54 × 26 × 10 mm |
| OS Support | Windows / Linux / macOS / Raspberry Pi |
| Software | SDR#, GQRX, SDR++, CubicSDR, GNU Radio and more |
🔗 Getting Started
-
Connect a suitable antenna to the SMA female antenna connector.
-
Connect the dongle to your computer through its USB-C interface.
-
Follow the setup instructions for your chosen SDR software.
-
Select the receiver and configure the frequency, reception mode, and decoding settings for your application.
⚠️ Bias Tee Notice
The 5V bias tee is disabled by default and must be enabled through supported software, such as SDR#, GQRX, SDR++, or rtl_biast.
The side LED indicates when bias tee power is active. Use only with compatible LNAs and active antennas. Do not enable bias tee power when connecting passive antennas without a DC block.
For any questions or assistance, contact us at shop@techxartisan.com. We are always happy to help.
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