RTL-SDR
Introduction
The RTL-SDR is the device that unintentionally delivered SDR, or 'Software Defined Radio' to the general public. Designed as a compact TV/FM/DAB tuning device, its chipsets, the RTL2832U and R820T give the device a vast operating frequency range (24 - 1750MHz).
Its budget cost, compact footprint and compatibility with cross-platform SDR platforms - such as GNU Radio make the RTL-SDR the ideal device for starting in the world of SDR.
If you require advanced functionality (TX, wider operating frequency, larger bandwidth, etc) - Lab401 also has the HackRF One and the BladeRF.
The device is delivered with an wide-band antenna and SMA connector. If you get bored listening to the ISS, you can always channel-surf TV with the included remote control.
Functionality in a glance
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the RTL-SDR's advantages:
Budget SDR Device
Literally the cheapest way to get into SDR
Fully Cross-Platform
Supported on Windows, Linux and macOS.
Pocket-sized SDR
SDR Functionality in a USB Thumb-drive.
RTL-SDR Pentest Applications
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Sniffing GSM signals
- Reverse engineering unknown protocols.
- Use rtl-sdr as a high quality entropy source for random number generation.
- Using rtl-sdr as a spectrum analyzer
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Use as a police radio scanner.
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Tracking aircraft positions like a radar with ADSB decoding.
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Tracking maritime boat positions like a radar with AIS decoding.
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Decoding POCSAG/FLEX pager traffic.
Technical Specifications
- RTL28232U-based USB stick with R820T Tuner
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Operating frequency range 24 – 1750 MHz
- 2.0 Msps sample rate
- Native resolution – 8 bits
- Carrier Type – 2 K/ 8K
- Modulation – QPSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM
What's included
- 1x RTL-SDR
- 1x Wide-band antenna with SMA connector
- 1x Remote Control