RTL-SDR BLOG V3 USB Dongle with Dipole Antenna Kit

The RTL-SDR Blog V3 is a low-cost software-defined radio (SDR) USB dongle bundled with a multipurpose VHF/UHF dipole antenna kit. It receives radio signals across a wide frequency range — from 500 kHz to 1,766 MHz — and processes them in software on your computer, making it an accessible entry point into SDR experimentation.

The V3 dongle features a temperature-compensated oscillator (TCXO) for frequency stability, a 4.5 V bias tee for powering active antennas, and an aluminium case for passive cooling. HF direct sampling mode extends reception down to 500 kHz without an upconverter.

Key Features

• <1 PPM TCXO – Stable frequency reference without drift
• 500 kHz – 1,766 MHz Range – Wide coverage including HF via direct sampling
• 4.5 V Bias Tee – USB-powered for active antennas and LNAs
• HF Direct Sampling – Receive 500 kHz – 24 MHz without an upconverter
• Aluminium Case – Passive cooling and improved shielding
• R820T2 Tuner – Popular, well-supported tuner IC
• Dipole Antenna Kit Included – Two sets of telescoping antennas with mounts

Specifications

• Tuner – R820T2
• ADC – RTL2832U (8-bit)
• Frequency Range – 500 kHz – 1,766 MHz (500 kHz – 24 MHz in direct sampling mode)
• Bandwidth – Up to 2.4 MHz (stable)
• Antenna Port – SMA female
• Input Impedance – 50 Ω
• Current Draw – 270–280 mA
• Compatibility – Windows (7+), Linux, macOS, Android, Raspberry Pi

Ideal For

• Amateur radio monitoring and experimentation
• Aircraft tracking (ADS-B)
• Weather satellite reception
• Learning about software-defined radio

Resources

• Datasheet (PDF)

Package Contents

• 1× RTL-SDR Blog V3 USB dongle
• 2× Telescoping VHF/UHF antennas (23 cm – 1 m)
• 2× Telescoping antennas (5 cm – 13 cm)
• 1× Dipole antenna base with 60 cm RG174 cable
• 1× 3 m RG174 extension cable
• 1× Flexible tripod mount
• 1× Suction cup mount