Software Defined Radio RTL-SDR usb dongle with HDSDR (updated for 820T)

Big Note:  This post was written for the older e4000 device...the newer 820T device uses a newer driver and installer
...download here!
...skip to bottom of this page for all new and improved steps...




Haven't been working on many projects...or should I say haven't been successful on many projects lately...

But about a month ago I heard about the $20 USB software defined radio...

Lets back up a bit. SDR or Software Defined Radio is easy to define but hard to explain. SDR means software running on a computer is the front end of your radio (controls, display, sound). There is some hardware involved but it is simply a box hooked up to your radio via USB, to an antenna and to power...no controls on it at all other than maybe a power switch.

Most people define SDR by the beautiful 'waterfall' displays they have seen.


But really SDR just means everything is controlled, manipulated, viewed, and heard on a computer.

BTW in that picture you see ALL the radio activity from about 162.0Mhz to 163.0Mhz simultaneously (but I am listening to 162.475 NOAA radio). So I can tune up large portions of a radio band and actually see where transmissions are taking place, then tune to those spots.

There are a few commercial SDRs out there with prices from about $500 to $2000 depending on what features you want...and obviously a receive only unit is cheaper than a TX/RX unit.

So what about this $20 USB dongle SDR?

Apparently there are some USB TV receivers running a Realtek 2832U chip that can be directed via software to receive from 60Mhz to 1.7Ghz. And originally they were selling for about $20...of course now they are a little bit harder to get...especially in the US, but still cheap.

I picked up the "Newsky Mini Digital TV Stick" for about $35 including shipping from Hong Kong. (I used this one but there are many choices)


I actually just got it in the mail yesterday, and am running it right now.

The software setup wasn't that difficult, but too many options were available that created more chaos than necessary.

I will post the link to the instructions I followed, then put some clarifications in.

https://www.thecraag.com/RTL-SDR_on_Windows

(Here are some more instructions...maybe these are better than mine?)

The first step in this includes everything you need. I did not realize the file also includes the HDSDR software...but it is not selected in the options when you run the file...so scroll down and select it.

It says put all the files in one directory...by default the HDSDR software wants to be in the HDSDR folder, so I recommend you chose "Program Files/HDSDR" as your initial installation folder.

During the install process the Zadig program will run, that allows you to put a different driver into your USB tuner to allow the SDR software to work with it.

What they didn't say was Win7 automatically installed drivers for it so you find the hardware in a different manner...

The software starts like this, and since Win7 loaded a driver for the USB TV, there was nothing showing in the devices.
But I went to options, list all devices...And now a list of USB devices WITH drivers showed up. I chose the RTL2832U and for "Target" the WinUSB driver.


Back to the original instructions...I did not download the updated "librtl2832++.dll" file...and that created much chaos on my system...so simply do it.

Now that you have done all that, start up HDSDR. Mine automatically opened up the ExtIO window, I didn't have to chose any thing (the directions say select ExIO_USRP.dll ...no idea what that is, it was not an option for me).

So the ExtIO window for my setup is below...initially the window is mostly blank...you need to type in "RTL tuner=e4k" (minus the quotes) in the 'Device hint:' window and click on 'Create'. Then if all went well during your install you will get a window filled out like below. (if not close out HDSDR, unplug the USB TV and plug it back in, you shouldn't need to change anything else)

BTW, I mentioned that I did not initially put in the updated librtl2832++dll drivers and I got errors at this screen when I tried to type in the RTL tuner=e4k


I just put up this shot to show how you would select USRP.

Next I will have to load up a fldigi type program and try to decode some data...


Update: Sep 2013                                                                                                                               

 I had been reading about a newer version of the RTL-SDR hardware.

The one I used up till now was a RTL2832 with the 4000e chip in it.

I just got the NooElec RTL2832 with the 820T chip in it. (if you pop it apart, you can read the number).  The 820t is supposed to have better filtering, and lower freq available...and better reception.

I plugged it in, used the latest  Zadig driver installation...and at the same time downloaded the latest HDSDR software.  I renamed the old HDSDR folder so that the new install would be in its own folder.  Only additional step was downloading ExtIO_RTL.dll as linked here at the bottom of the page. 'RTLSDR (DVB-T/DAB with RTL2832)' and putting it in the HDSDR folder...much easier...

Summary of new steps.

1. Use Zadig to install WinUSB to “Bulk-In, Interface (Interface 0)”

2. Download and run HDSDR installation.

3. Download ExtIIO_RTL.dll and place in HDSDR folder.

4. Enjoy.

iOS 5.0.1 Jailbreak, Untethered, Unlocked 3GS

If you look at my posts, you can see that I wait to upgrade to the new iOS until I have to.

Like now.

I have 2 Apps (not sure which ones) that show up on the upgrade list, but when I select all the upgrades (all) stop because one app needs iOS5. So you have to upgrade each app individually...pain.

So yesterday I looked to see if the iOS5 had an Untethered Jailbreak (JB) yet...it does.

So then I checked to see if it could still be unlocked...it can.

And once again it seems I must reinvent the wheel to do an iOS upgrade etc...so here is the list of links I used.

One part is knowing which bootrom (iBoot) your phone uses...if it has an older bootrom, the JB is simple...mine does, but how do you know for sure? This link for one, later I will mention a possible other way.

A need to know item for iPhone JB is how to enter and exit DFU mode. Most JB tools will get you into DFU mode...but what if something happens and you need to get out? This link has all the info.

Next part of puzzle is Unlocking the iPhone. Unlocking is where you free up the carrier on the phone, so you can use whatever SIM card/cellphone carrier you want. I have a roaming international pay as you go SIM card I use. Cheaper than any regular carrier so far.

Evertime Apple does an iPhone update they change the 'radio' and only certain radios can be unlocked. What radio do you have? (it is also called Baseband, and Modem Firmware).

Mine is radio 05.13.04, an unlockable version...

...but I need to keep that version to keep the iPhone unlockable after the iOS update...this is a key point.

So lets get to the iOS update and we will use Redsn0w. I have used Redsn0w for about half of my JBs and I like it better than sn0wbreeze.

I followed these two links...the iOS5 seems to be a bit more difficult to JB than previous versions, so a few more steps are required.

redmondpie.com is a fantastic website for this kind of info. But these steps were from iphonehacks.com

Here is a quick summary of what we are doing, then I will post the links.

BEFORE DOING THIS, MAKE AN iTUNES BACKUP OF YOUR PHONE, AND TRANSFER PURCHASES FROM PHONE TO COMPUTER

-download redsn0w and the iOS5.0.1 update for the iPhone 3GS (each device has a different iOS...get the correct one)

-use resn0w to modify the iOS5 file to not change the current Baseband (BB, radio, modem firmware) in my iPhone.

-fool iTunes into installing this modified iOS5 update to my phone.

FIRST LINK

...then the second link does the following steps.

-apply untethered JB to now iOS5 phone (be advised, the software will want to look at the original iOS5 update file, but will not install it...don't worry.

-install Cydia etc.

SECOND LINK

Now that I have a JB iOS5 iPhone, I can run the Ultrasn0w software I download to my iPhone using the Cydia app that the JB installed.

Ultrasn0w unlock.

It was a straight forward install, but it asked some questions I was not ready for...first one (asked twice) was if i had an older iBoot.

The second one was when it asked for the original iOS5 file, I was mildly afraid it was the wrong choice...it wasn't.

Just follow the steps and it will work.

Obviously after I did the upgrade and unlock etc...I used my fresh backup to put all my stuff back on the iPhone, and also tranferred all my apps back.

Cydia will also keep track of what paid apps you have so you can reinstall those.

Nintendo DS Canon Camera Interface (pt1)

I am always trying to find a way to improve my astrophotography, and HDR.

I bought into a Kickstarter project (TriggerTrap) ...but it won't be done until spring...I will talk about it then.

A while ago some smart folks figured out how to interface a NintendoDS with a Canon DSLR.

The project became the Open Camera Controller (OCC). I remembered reading about it, but at the time I didn't have a Canon DSLR.

I don't have the interface yet (hence the pt1 for this post), but I did spend some time getting everything else lined up, and there was a bit of learning curve.

...Now the Nintendo DS...

A while back, some hackers figured out that you could utilize the SLOT-1 on the DS and creating a small interface, you could put microSD cards in, and force the DS to read the files and execute them...one use could put games on the microSD card and not be tied to carrying a bunch of cartridges...use your imagination...

This interface card was originally called the R4...and was banned for a while (in some countries anyway). The original R4 cards are hard to find, and limited to 2G microSD cards.

I picked up a newer replica R4 card...a R4SDHC...here are a bunch of different type cards etc...but the one I got works for what I needed...and it will use a microSD card larger than 2G.

Now that you have the card...the DS still won't read files off it, you need to put some software on the card to make that happen. (they call it firmware)...so the next question is what software etc.

My card had a website on it, and listed the software for the card...and some confusing instructions...I will list what I did for this particular card.

After I downloaded the software for my card (R4 V1.48b English.zip), and unzipped it...I had a R4.dat file and 3 directories...the poorly written webpage left me scratching my head as to what to do next.

Since I am not using this to play games etc, all I needed was the filesystem. (after some trial and error I figured out what I needed on the card)

So on the microSD card I placed R4.dat and the R4iMenu directory. (ignored the other directories).

I popped it in the DS and it gave me this menu.

Of course I hadn't put any of my software on it yet, so I removed the card and put the 4 OCC files on it, (in a directory on the root...or just the files on the rood microSD card would work.)

Now when I turn on the DS, and select the GAME icon, I am taken to the directory with the OCC files. This shot is one of the apps running.



For Part2 I will put it in operation (I am waiting for the cable to come from Germany...I don't have enough free time to make my own).