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FR24 build - Impressive performance with simple adjustments
I purchased this USB-connected software-defined radio (SDR) to set up a Raspberry Pi based FlightRadar24 receiver/reporter.The setup was quick and straightforward. Initially, my FR24 rig with the SDR's included antenna placed near a second-story window captured ADS-B position data from around 12 airplanes. Cool, but I wanted more! After experimenting with the antenna's length and setting the antenna on a makeshift ground plane (an aluminum cookie sheet), the transformation was remarkable.Opting for a half-wavelength setup (13.75 cm for 1090 MHz ADS-B signals), strategically placing the antenna near the exterior window, and using my cookie sheet ground plane, the system went from tracking 12 airplanes to an impressive 32, with position data extending up to 95 nautical miles! These adjustments proved crucial, unlocking the full potential of the included antenna.This USB-connected SDR, combined with the provided antenna, does a great job as part of a budget-friendly FlightRadar24 ADS-B rig. Highly recommended for those willing to explore and fine-tune for exceptional performance.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
The setup was quick and straightforward. Initially, my FR24 rig with the SDR's included antenna placed near a second-story window captured ADS-B position data from around 12 airplanes. Cool, but I wanted more! After experimenting with the antenna's length and setting the antenna on a makeshift ground plane (an aluminum cookie sheet), the transformation was remarkable.
Opting for a half-wavelength setup (13.75 cm for 1090 MHz ADS-B signals), strategically placing the antenna near the exterior window, and using my cookie sheet ground plane, the system went from tracking 12 airplanes to an impressive 32, with position data extending up to 95 nautical miles! These adjustments proved crucial, unlocking the full potential of the included antenna.
This USB-connected SDR, combined with the provided antenna, does a great job as part of a budget-friendly FlightRadar24 ADS-B rig. Highly recommended for those willing to explore and fine-tune for exceptional performance.
FR24 build - Impressive performance with simple adjustments
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
I purchased this USB-connected software-defined radio (SDR) to set up a Raspberry Pi based FlightRadar24 receiver/reporter.Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
The setup was quick and straightforward. Initially, my FR24 rig with the SDR's included antenna placed near a second-story window captured ADS-B position data from around 12 airplanes. Cool, but I wanted more! After experimenting with the antenna's length and setting the antenna on a makeshift ground plane (an aluminum cookie sheet), the transformation was remarkable.
Opting for a half-wavelength setup (13.75 cm for 1090 MHz ADS-B signals), strategically placing the antenna near the exterior window, and using my cookie sheet ground plane, the system went from tracking 12 airplanes to an impressive 32, with position data extending up to 95 nautical miles! These adjustments proved crucial, unlocking the full potential of the included antenna.
This USB-connected SDR, combined with the provided antenna, does a great job as part of a budget-friendly FlightRadar24 ADS-B rig. Highly recommended for those willing to explore and fine-tune for exceptional performance.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015
Other reviews complained about poor build quality, however that wasn’t the case with my unit. No solder balls or broken components, though there was some leftover flux from the hand soldering of the LED and IR receiver, but that was easily to take care of with an anti-static brush and some 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.
There have also been some concerns over heat, which I share. NooElec could easily help cool the tuner and receiver ICs by simply soldering applying solder paste to the bottom ground paddles; the board already has the required vias, so I’m not sure why they don’t do solder them…
At any rate, I took care of the heat issue by applying some two tiny 15x15mm heatsinks to the chips. (You can find these here on Amazon; just search for “Raspberry Pi Heatsinks” and get the small aluminum ones [not the larger versions designed for the SoC].)
I also bought one of the extruded aluminum cases from NooElec, which should help with heat issues as well.
So yeah, aside from that minor issue (which in practice might not be an issue at all, but as an electrical engineer it worries me) this is a great little SDR dongle. Since NooElec has these custom made, specifically for SDR use, the component quality and layout are much better than the cheap $7 dongles (designed for DVB-T) you can buy; spend the extra $13 and go for the Mini 2, you won’t be disappointed!
There have also been some concerns over heat, which I share. NooElec could easily help cool the tuner and receiver ICs by simply soldering applying solder paste to the bottom ground paddles; the board already has the required vias, so I’m not sure why they don’t do solder them…
At any rate, I took care of the heat issue by applying some two tiny 15x15mm heatsinks to the chips. (You can find these here on Amazon; just search for “Raspberry Pi Heatsinks” and get the small aluminum ones [not the larger versions designed for the SoC].)
I also bought one of the extruded aluminum cases from NooElec, which should help with heat issues as well.
So yeah, aside from that minor issue (which in practice might not be an issue at all, but as an electrical engineer it worries me) this is a great little SDR dongle. Since NooElec has these custom made, specifically for SDR use, the component quality and layout are much better than the cheap $7 dongles (designed for DVB-T) you can buy; spend the extra $13 and go for the Mini 2, you won’t be disappointed!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2015
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Henk Os
AIR & Music stations. So much fun! Also buy the XHDATA AN-80 FM SW antenna
Reviewed in the Netherlands on August 3, 2023
Henk Os
Reviewed in the Netherlands on August 3, 2023
Just follow the instructions for this device on the Nooelec website and you are good to go. I do receive my FM music stations with great quality and I also receive the communication of the towers of the Airport nearby (20km). However, I did spent an extra 11 euro to a 'simple to attach and use' antenna. Check it out, it is the XHDATA AN-80 FM SW, which you can also buy on Amazon. Connect (clip on) it to your out-of-the box antenna (that came with the device) and connect the other side to the curtain rail before your window. That side you can also just clip on. Now you have a much better antenna and it makes all the difference!
I use the easy to use (after some playing and Youtube watching) software SDR++, and I downloaded the beta (nightly built) version. It is important you use that one! Get in on the sdrpp.org website. It works great and after some time you learn how to master it as a pro :) Again, read the instructions on the Nooelec website. Also refer to the SDR++ manual, which you can download from the SDR++ website.
In order to improve the quality of the FM radio stations, I enabled RTL AGC but left Tuner AGC disabled. I manually set the Gain to 40.2 dB. I also enabled IF Noise Reduction. Last but not least, I set the bandwidth for each stations to 200Khz. Each station can be stored in the Frequency Manager for quick access. This all together (and combined with the XHDATA AN-80 FM SW antenne) delivers more signal and sound quality then any of the radio receivers I have. And all of this while I sit inside behind a desk, between walls and 4 meters from the window.
PS: On your first usage, after installing the driver. Select (under source in the sidebar) your device and set the sample rate to 2.4Mhz. Don't forget to press PLAY in the upper left corner and make sure you have Radio enabled in the sidebar and Squelch disabled (on start). Then you will hear a sound (noise). Now type in a FM radio station (put the mouse on the left digit of the frequency) and when entered, you will see it's working. Also be aware that you can not zoom out the display more then 2.4Mhz. This is the limitation of the device as it samples 2.4Mhz a time, like almost all of these devices. So, just scroll left or right to explore all frequencies.
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