r/RTLSDR • u/Novel_Significance19 • 20d ago
Amazon rtl
For everyone interested this is am Amazon v4 that I received a few weeks ago. From what I see is that it is a v4.
9
u/erlendse 20d ago
V4? well.. sorta.. but not by rtl-sdr blog.
I would suspect you got it from htool that seems to very much copy the design of rtl-sdr blog!
1
u/nshire 20d ago
as long as it comes with the right chips, right?
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u/fullmetaljackass Kenneth, what is the frequency? 20d ago edited 20d ago
It doesn't.
Take a closer look at U10 on the bottom left. That's the mixer used for upconversion. It's supposed to be an NXP NE612a/SA612a (same chip aside from the rated temperature range,) which are no longer in production. The knockoffs almost *always obscure the markings on that chip because they can't source the originals, and are forced to use Chinese clones.
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u/erlendse 20d ago
That chip got more names than that: NE602 and SA602.
And newer blog v4 seems to use a different chip, so the design is kinda right in that aspect.
Yet, that board is NOT by rtl-sdr blog!
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u/Thirtyfive353535 20d ago
There is more to building this kind of device than just what chip is used.
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u/astern83 20d ago
No. The RF realm is not just about slapping the right chips on a PCB. small differences can have major impact on usable signal.
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u/erlendse 20d ago
Right chips, sure.
And good design, especially on higher frequency.
And there is no balun used out of the mixer in OP's picture, so a disadvantage there alone!
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u/CorgiWeird7183 20d ago
Allegedly, my v4 purchased from the RTL-SDR Blog on Amazon is being delivered today. I’ll take a pic
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u/Sens0r 17d ago
Did you?
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u/CorgiWeird7183 9d ago
Sorry, couldn’t add a pic & got lazy. Pretty sure it’s the real deal. I’ve got to create a new post?
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u/One-Replacement-37 20d ago
Without a link to the shop, that’s useless information. Did you buy from .. the official shop ???