Nooelec RTL SDR v5 SDR NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF Software Defined Radio Review

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Nooelec RTL SDR v5 SDR NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF Software Defined Radio. This is a USB connected software defined radio SDR that can be used for the reception of broadcast AM radio, FM radio, shortwave radio, CB radio, trunked radio, air traffic control, ACARS plane ground communications , ADS B plane tracking , AIS ship tracking , POCSAG pagers , NOAA and GOES weather satellites weather images , weather balloons, radiosondes, DAB radio, DVB T video, Inmarsat, Iridium and much more. I was very excited to get it up and running so that I could start exploring all of its features.

My first impression of the Nooelec was that it was very well designed and easy to use. The setup process was straightforward and it came with clear instructions on how to get started. It also came with a variety of software options including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Android. I chose the Windows version as this is my preferred platform.

The Nooelec provided me with excellent signal reception across a wide range of frequencies ranging from 100kHz to 1.75GHz with up to 3.2MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. The direct sampling implementation of the SDR was far superior to any other RTL SDR I have tried before and enabled me to receive signals even in difficult conditions such as poor signal strength or interference from nearby sources. This made it perfect for listening to weak signals such as shortwave broadcasts or distant aircraft transmissions.

The Nooelec was also great for exploring new bands or experimenting with different antennas something I found particularly enjoyable as an amateur radio enthusiast! The device comes with a variety of accessories including an antenna balun which allows you to make your own long wire or dipole antenna for improved performance on HF frequencies below 25MHz. If you are looking for even better performance on HF frequencies then I would recommend investing in an upconverter like the Ham It Up which will further improve your results significantly.

Overall I am very impressed by the Nooelec RTL SDR v5 SDR NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF Software Defined Radio and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring radio frequency signals or experimenting with antenna design and construction. With its excellent signal reception capabilities and wide range of features this is one product that should definitely not be overlooked when considering which SDR to buy!