NESDR Series

This page contains commonly asked questions that apply to all models in the NESDR series. Have a question about a specific model? You can find the FAQ section for each model on the left!

What are the technical differences between each of your NESDR models?

All NESDRs come with the RTL2832U USB interface. The primary differences between the models are found in the type of tuner, frequency range, and TCXO. Some models also have additional features such as a bias tee, different antenna connectors and enclosures. The main features of each model are summarized in the table below:

What is the frequency range of my SDR?
Generally speaking, if you have a standard NESDR (like the NESDR Mini or NESDR Nano) the frequency range is approximately 25MHz-1750MHz. If your NESDR has ‘XTR’ in the name, this means that it has an extended range from approximately 55MHz-2300MHz, with a small gap at 1100MHz. Please refer to the tables above to find out the exact frequency specifications of your SDR.

What is the current draw/power consumption?
All of our NESDRs are certified USB 2.0 devices. Power consumption is about 100 mA nominal, 280 mA maximum.

What is the NESDR transfer rate?
All models in the NESDR series are USB 2.0, which has a maximum transfer rate of 480 MSPS.

Do the NESDR series have static discharge protection?
Yes, all of our SDRs have this feature.

What is the bandwidth of the NESDR?
For all models in the NESDR series, it is 2.4 MHz nominal, and 3.2 MHz max.

How much of the spectrum can my NESDR receive at one time?
2.4 MHz nominal, 3.2 MHz max. However, you can use spectrum analyzer software to see arbitrarily large spans (not quite real time).

What is the input impedance of the NESDR?
The effective impedance at the input is 50ohm.

My NESDR gets very hot when in use. Is this normal?
Yes, it is normal for these devices to be hot to the touch when in use. They are designed to remove heat at the board-level and distribute it away from the PCB as evenly as possible. This will necessarily result in the enclosure becoming quite warm during operation.

We have taken this into account with our more recent NESDR models, and have included additional heat protection in their designs. For example, the Nano 3 comes with an aluminum enclosure as standard, and a custom heatsink that can be applied to the SDR to avoid overheating. Our SMArt and SMArTee models also have aluminum enclosures and feature internal heatsinks and thermal pads which distribute the heat away from the PCB to keep the device running smoothly.

What is the sensitivity and noise figure of your SDRs?
As SDRs, we are not able to provide guaranteed noise figure or sensitivity information, as these vary based on operating environment, application, installation environment, signal strength and other factors.

How many frequencies can I receive at one time?
The NESDR is capable of receiving 1 frequency at a time. The frequency you’re tuned to is determined by your SDR software. If your SDR application requires receiving two or more frequencies simultaneously, you will need to have one SDR for each frequency.

How do I get my SDR to pick up FM radio?
For FM radio, you need to choose a wide bandwidth, select a "station" between 88 and 108 MHz, and select FM as the demodulation type. If you’re having trouble, contact Customer Support for assistance!

I cannot get any SW frequencies. Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong?
If using SMArt v5, which is capable of direct sampling for HF, ensure you are using a frequency-appropriate antenna, that you have Q-branch selected in your software, and have adjusted your gain correctly. 

If you are using a different SDR, the lower frequency limit is approximately 25MHz or 55MHz. As most SW frequencies are below the frequency capability of our SDRs, in order to receive these, you would need to use an upconverter, like the Ham It Up. The Ham It Up works with your SDR to extend the frequency range to as low as 100kHz or 300Hz.  The results will be much better than receiving HF via direct sampling.

I've heard there's a way to modify my SDR to receive HF, can you tell me more about that?
Yes, technically it's possible to modify your SDR PCB to be able to receive HF frequencies, however we don't recommend it for two reasons:
• The hardware modification requires soldering which carries a risk of destroying the SDR if not done properly.
• The performance in direct sample mode is not great.

Instead we would recommend using an upconverter, which would provide far better performance and eliminates risk of damage to the SDR.

Which SDRs are compatible with the Ham It Up?
Any SDR that is capable of reception between 125-190Mhz is compatible with Ham It Up upconverters, provided you have the appropriate adapter or pigtail cable.

What is the purpose of the remote that I received with my NESDR?
The remote can only be used for DVB video, it is not designed for SDR purposes. It can be used anywhere that there are DVB signals, but you won’t find these in the USA or Canada. In North America, we use ATSC signaling, which is not compatible with this device.

Which of your NESDRs are capable of transmitting and receiving?
All models in the NESDR series are receive only. The only transceiver that we sell is the HackRF One, which is capable of transmitting and receiving signals from 1MHz to 6GHz.

Check out our complete NESDR product line in our webstore!

Can’t find the information you need? Contact our friendly Customer Support Team using the Support chat window in the bottom-right corner of the page. One of our Customer Support Specialists would be happy to assist you!