NESDR Nano Series

This FAQ pertains to the Nano series, which includes models 2, 2+ and 3. If you have a question about a different product, click on the appropriate FAQ on the left!

The NESDR Nano series are our smallest SDRs, designed for portable and embedded applications. 

What are the differences between the Nano 2, 2+ and 3?
The Nano 2 and 2+ both have plastic enclosures, though the 2+ was redesigned to maintain lower temperatures than the previous generations. ​The Nano 3 comes with an aluminum enclosure as standard, and is a smaller device than the 2 & 2+, so they will fit side by side in close spaces.

The 2+ and 3 each contain a custom TCXO, which is the same as in the SMArt series. This provides greater tuning accuracy in these models: <0.5PPM vs up to 50PPM for the Nano 2.

The major features of each model are summarized in the table below:

	Nano 2	Nano 2+	Nano 3
Product Photos
USB Interface IC	RTL2832U	RTL2832U	RTL2832U
Tuner IC	R820T2	R820T2	R820T2
Frequency Range	25MHz - 1750MHz	25MHz - 1750MHz	25MHz - 1750MHz
TCXO Clock?	No	Yes	Yes
Antenna Port	Female MCX	Female MCX	Female MCX
Enclosure Material	Plastic	Plastic	Extruded Aluminum
Warranty Period	1 year	2 years	2 years
Nooelec SKU	100647	100684	100746

Why does my SDR get so hot when in use?
The Nano series SDRs are expected to get very warm during extended operation. The device is designed for elevated temperatures, so this will not affect the performance. However, it is important to always have the antenna plugged into the MCX port during extended operation.

Which side of the Nano 3 should I adhere the heatsink to?
The heatsink can be adhered to either side of the SDR. Both sides have silicon pads inside the enclosure, and with the aluminum casing, the temperature will equalize almost immediately.

How do you interface with the Nano 3 Stratux bundle?
Most customers utilize Stratux, which is a software project that runs off of a Raspberry Pi. Unfortunately, Nooelec is unable to provide support for this software application, but there is plenty of information available online to get you started.

I bought the Stratux bundle, but I want to tune in to frequencies other than ADS-B. Do I need to buy another SDR?
No, there is no hardware difference in the SDRs in the Stratux bundle. You can use them to tune into any frequency between 25 MHZ and 1700 MHz. Just make sure that you are using the appropriate antenna for your desired frequency!

I purchased a Stratux bundle and am outside of North America where 978MHz UAT is not used.  Can I use it for a different frequency?
Of course!  You will need to ensure you are using an appropriate antenna for the frequency of interest.  One common application would be to use the second SDR to receive 868MHz FLARM.  For some software you may need to reprogram the EEPROM, but this can be done by the end user.  For more information, please check out these very helpful instructions!

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