RTL-SDR Blog V4, Better Than V3? (Review)
- by Burkhard Kainka
- Reading time: 3 min
RTL-SDR Blog sticks have been around for a while. They can receive HF signals up to 1,000 MHz or higher. The RTL-SDR Blog V4 is the fourth generation. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at it and see how it differs from its predecessor V3.
RTL-SDR Blog V4 sticks are the latest in a series known for their capability to receive a broad range of HF signals, extending beyond 1,000 MHz. This review delves into the RTL-SDR Blog V4, highlighting its advancements over earlier versions.
Preferred Software
The preferred software for the RTL-SDR Blog V4 is SDR-Sharp. After installation, it typically displays a frequency in the FM band, where numerous strong stations are available for initial testing. Reception is generally smooth, delivering clear sound quality. Users might also explore signals in the 2-meter band, the 70-cm band using narrowband FM, listen to AM aviation communications, or track radio thermometer signals.
RTL-SDR Blog V4 Dipole Antenna Kit
RTL-SDR V4 comes with a versatile dipole antenna kit, ideal for those without existing antenna setups. The kit includes 14 cm short and 1 m long telescopic antennas, which can be combined to form a dipole. A suction cup holder facilitates window mounting. The connection cable features a ferrite core with a dual turn of the antenna cable, functioning as a common-mode choke to balance the dipole connection and reduce interference from the PC to the antenna.
The included tripod is particularly useful for the longer antenna rods, allowing optimal dipole adjustment for frequencies up to a 4 m wavelength.
Shortwave Reception
My interest largely lies in longer wavelengths, particularly the shortwave range. Previous SDR sticks had a definitive lower frequency limit, which I initially overcame using a ring mixer and quartz oscillator to upconvert shortwave signals. However, this setup was imperfect, often overwhelmed by RF noise from the device and PC, obscuring real antenna signals among numerous phantom signals.
Use of Direct Sampling
The RTL-SDR Blog V3 introduced a feature for the lower frequency ranges, bypassing the first mixer and allowing the antenna signal to be processed directly by the AD converter. In SDR-Sharp, this requires setting Direct Sampling (Q-Branch) for lower frequencies, while Quadrature Sampling remains suitable for higher frequencies. Despite these adjustments, V3 still struggled with phantom signals and intermodulation products when connected to long antennas, particularly evident when receiving AM stations in the 40m amateur radio band during peak times.
Improvements with RTL-SDR Blog V4
The latest iteration, RTL-SDR Blog V4, includes an HF upconverter utilizing the SA612 mixer. This addition aims to address overload issues and improve signal clarity. The new version also features design tweaks to minimize interference, promising a cleaner reception up to 1 GHz.
Initial tests with FM signals yielded excellent results, with the device offering various settings to fine-tune the reception and manage interference effectively. This improvement extends to higher frequencies, notably enhancing clarity and reducing unwanted noise and signals.
Comprehensive Shortwave Tests with V4
Testing on shortwave bands demonstrated significant advancements. The RTL-SDR Blog V4 automatically enables the upconverter when necessary, allowing seamless tuning from 0 to 1,000 MHz. An initial scan of the 19m broadcast band clearly received a station from Turkey without interference, a notable improvement over previous versions.
Overall, the RTL-SDR Blog V4 marks a substantial improvement in the quality and clarity of SDR reception across a broad spectrum of frequencies, validating its effectiveness and versatility in handling various signals and conditions.
You can check out the RTL-SDR V4 on our store by clicking on this link