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RTL-SDR Frequency List

The RTL-SDR (RTL2832U-based Software Defined Radio) is a versatile device that can tune into a broad range of frequencies.

Depending on the specific model and configuration, the RTL-SDR can typically cover frequencies from 500 kHz to 1.75 GHz.

Here’s a detailed frequency list showing what you can listen to with an RTL-SDR, categorized by bands and types of communication:

General Frequency Coverage of RTL-SDR

  • Lower Bound: Approximately 500 kHz (with the RTL-SDR v4)
  • Upper Bound: Approximately 1.75 GHz (1700 MHz to 1766 MHz, depending on the tuner).

Common Frequency Bands and Uses for RTL-SDR

HF (High Frequency) Band (3 MHz – 30 MHz)

Note: Listening to HF frequencies with an earlier version of RTL-SDR often requires upconverters or direct sampling modifications.

  • 3.5 – 4.0 MHz: 80-meter amateur radio band.
  • 7.0 – 7.3 MHz: 40-meter amateur radio band.
  • 10.1 – 10.15 MHz: 30-meter amateur radio band.
  • 14.0 – 14.35 MHz: 20-meter amateur radio band.
  • 18.068 – 18.168 MHz: 17-meter amateur radio band.
  • 21.0 – 21.45 MHz: 15-meter amateur radio band.
  • 24.89 – 24.99 MHz: 12-meter amateur radio band.
  • 28.0 – 29.7 MHz: 10-meter amateur radio band.

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VHF (Very High Frequency) Band (30 MHz – 300 MHz)

  • 30 – 50 MHz: VHF low band, used for various communications including public safety and business.
  • 50 – 54 MHz: 6-meter amateur radio band.
  • 54 – 88 MHz: TV broadcast channels 2-6 (not used for TV in many regions anymore).
  • 88 – 108 MHz: FM broadcast band.
  • 108 – 137 MHz: Airband for VHF aircraft communications.
  • 118 – 137 MHz: Civil aircraft communications.
  • 137 – 144 MHz: Weather satellites and data transmission (NOAA satellites).
  • 144 – 148 MHz: 2-meter amateur radio band.
  • 148 – 174 MHz: VHF high band, used for public safety, business, and marine communications.
  • 154.570 and 154.600 MHz: MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) channels.
  • 162.400 – 162.550 MHz: NOAA weather radio frequencies.
  • 156.050 – 162.025 MHz: Marine VHF communication channels.
  • 174 – 216 MHz: TV broadcast channels 7-13.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) Band (300 MHz – 3 GHz)

  • 300 – 450 MHz: Military, satellite, and various commercial communications.
  • 380 – 400 MHz: Government and military communication.
  • 406 – 420 MHz: Government and public safety.
  • 430 – 450 MHz: 70-centimeter amateur radio band.
  • 450 – 470 MHz: UHF business band and public safety.
  • 462.550 – 462.725 MHz: GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels.
  • 467.550 – 467.725 MHz: GMRS repeater input frequencies.
  • 470 – 512 MHz: UHF TV channels 14-20 (used for various communications in some regions).
  • 512 – 698 MHz: TV broadcast channels 21-51 (in the process of being repurposed in many regions).
  • 698 – 806 MHz: LTE band and public safety.
  • 806 – 902 MHz: Various commercial and public safety communications.
  • 902 – 928 MHz: ISM band (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical).
  • Used for unlicensed communication, including some amateur radio (33 cm band) and low-power devices.
  • 928 – 960 MHz: Paging and commercial communication.
  • 1240 – 1300 MHz: 23-centimeter amateur radio band.
  • 1300 – 1700 MHz: Military and commercial communication, including radar and satellite downlinks.

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Notable Signals to Explore

Broadcast FM Radio (88 – 108 MHz)

  • Popular music and talk radio stations.

Weather Satellites (137 – 138 MHz)

  • NOAA satellite weather images and data.

Air Traffic Control (118 – 137 MHz)

  • Communications between aircraft and ground controllers.

Marine VHF (156 – 162 MHz)

  • Ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications.

Amateur Radio Bands (Various)

  • Conversations, digital modes, and experiments by ham radio operators.

Public Safety and Business Radio (150 – 174 MHz, 450 – 470 MHz)

  • Police, fire, EMS, and commercial communications.

NOAA Weather Radio (162.400 – 162.550 MHz)

  • Continuous weather updates and alerts.

Amateur Satellite (145.8 – 146.0 MHz and 435 – 438 MHz)

  • Communication with orbiting satellites.

TV Signals (54 – 88 MHz, 174 – 216 MHz, 470 – 698 MHz)

  • Over-the-air TV broadcasts (varies by region).

Digital Modes and Data

Decoding modes like ACARS (aircraft), AIS (ship tracking), and ADS-B (aircraft position data).

Tips for Using RTL-SDR

  1. Antenna: Use the appropriate antenna for the frequency range you are interested in. Multi-band antennas or specific antennas for HF, VHF, or UHF can significantly improve reception.
  2. Software: Use SDR software like SDR#, HDSDR, or GQRX to scan and decode different frequencies.
  3. Adjust Settings: Experiment with gain, bandwidth, and filter settings in your SDR software to optimize signal reception.
  4. Legal Compliance: Always ensure you are compliant with local regulations regarding listening and decoding certain frequencies.

Summary

With an RTL-SDR, you can explore a vast range of frequencies and discover many interesting signals. Whether you’re into listening to aircraft communications, monitoring weather satellites, or exploring amateur radio bands, the RTL-SDR provides a gateway to the fascinating world of radio waves.

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Of course! Here is a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for an article on RTL-SDR frequency lists, structured to be helpful for both beginners and experienced users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Basics & Getting Started

Q1: What is an RTL-SDR?
A: An RTL-SDR is a very inexpensive USB software-defined radio (SDR) dongle. Originally designed for receiving digital TV (DVB-T), it was discovered that with special software, it could be used as a wideband radio scanner to listen to a vast range of radio signals.

Q2: What is a frequency list and why do I need one?
A: A frequency list is a curated catalog of known radio frequencies and their purposes (e.g., 121.500 MHz for aviation emergency). The RTL-SDR can tune across a huge spectrum, and a frequency list acts like a map, telling you where to find interesting signals instead of searching blindly through static.

Q3: What frequencies can the RTL-SDR actually receive?
A: Most common RTL-SDR dongles (like the RTL2832U and R820T2) can typically receive signals from approximately 24 MHz to 1766 MHz. This covers a massive range including air traffic, public safety radio, FM radio, amateur radio, weather satellites, and much more. Note: they cannot transmit, only receive.

Q4: Is it legal to listen to these frequencies?
A: In most countries, it is perfectly legal to listen to any radio transmission that is not intentionally encrypted (like military or certain government communications) or is not considered a “private” two-way conversation (e.g., cell phones, which are also encrypted and outside the RTL-SDR’s range anyway). It is illegal to divulge or act upon the content of any transmission you are not intended to hear. Always check your local laws.

Finding & Using Frequencies

Q5: Where can I find a good frequency list for my area?
A: The best lists are local. Great resources include:

  • RadioReference.com: The best source for up-to-date, location-based frequencies for public safety, aviation, and business radio (especially for the US/Canada).
  • Local amateur radio clubs: Ham radio operators often have detailed local knowledge.
  • National databases: For things like NOAA weather radio, air traffic control, and railroad frequencies, which are often standardized nationally.
  • Satellite frequency lists: Websites like RTL-SDR.com and SatNOGS maintain lists for NOAA and other satellites.

Q6: I put in a frequency but I only hear noise or a weird digital buzzing. Why?
A: This is common! You are likely hearing one of two things:

  1. A digital modulation mode: Signals like P25 (used by police), DMR, or NXDN sound like loud buzzing or gargling to your ears. You need special software like DSD+ Fast Lane or SDR# with the right plugin to decode them into audio.
  2. Encrypted traffic: The transmission is scrambled and cannot be decoded, even with the right software.

Q7: How do I know what type of signal I’m looking at (e.g., FM, AM, USB)?
A: Your SDR software (like SDR#, SDR++, etc.) has a “mode” or “demodulation” selector. Common modes are:

  • WFM: Wide FM (for FM radio broadcasts).
  • NFM: Narrow FM (for most two-way communications like police, fire, and business radios).
  • AM: Amplitude Modulation (for aircraft, AM radio, and some older systems).
  • USB/LSB: Upper/Lower Sideband (used by amateur radio operators and HF communications).

Q8: What are some “cool” or common frequencies to start with?
A: Here are some reliable and often active ones to get you started:

  • NOAA Weather Radio: 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz (US/Canada).
  • Airband – Aircraft Emergencies: 121.500 MHz (VHF Guard).
  • Airband – Air Traffic Control: Search for your local airport’s tower/approach frequencies on RadioReference.
  • FM Radio Broadcast Band: 87.5 – 108.0 MHz (obviously!).
  • Marine VHF: Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is the international hailing and distress channel.

Technical & Troubleshooting

Q9: I see a strong signal on my waterfall display, but I can’t hear anything. What’s wrong?
A: Check these common issues:

  1. Wrong Mode: You’re likely using the wrong demodulator. A police signal (NFM) will be silent if you have the mode set to AM.
  2. Squelch: Your squelch setting might be too high, blocking the audio. Turn it down.
  3. Muted Audio: Check your audio output settings in the SDR software and your computer’s volume.

Q10: Why do I need an upconverter?
A: The standard RTL-SDR has poor performance below roughly 24-30 MHz, which is the HF/shortwave band. An upconverter is a device that shifts these low frequencies up into a range where the RTL-SDR can receive them well, allowing you to listen to international shortwave broadcasts, amateur radio HF bands, and more.

Q11: My signals seem weak. How can I improve reception?
A: The tiny antenna that comes with the RTL-SDR is notoriously poor.

  • Get a better antenna: A simple discone or dipole antenna designed for the frequencies you’re interested in will make a massive difference.
  • Get it outside/by a window: Place the antenna as high and clear of obstructions as possible.
  • Use an LNA (Low-Noise Amplifier): This boosts weak signals before they enter the dongle, which is especially useful for receiving satellites.

Q12: What software should I use with my RTL-SDR?
A: Popular choices include:

  • SDR# (SDRSharp): Very popular for Windows, great for beginners.
  • SDR++: Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), modern, and feature-rich.
  • GQRX: The standard for Linux and Mac users.
  • SDRangel: Very powerful and advanced, for complex tasks like satellite decoding.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always comply with your local laws and regulations regarding radio reception.