OKJohnny

Well, playing with the gain I did finally get something coming in (FM). Thanks bluemachine and TN.Frank for the guidance. I have an adapter coming to hopefully will help me go up to a better antenna .... Some of the problem may be that - I live in a very rural section of Oklahoma.... I'd like to find how to pick up the local NOAA weather and my local volunteer fire department - any ideas on that? Thanks again!

OK... installed Kali... Followed along Hak5 video on grc... Here's the result - short answer - nothing: <<< Welcome to GNU Radio Companion 3.6.5.1 >>> Loading: "/root/test.grc" >>> Done Showing: "/root/test.grc" Generating: "/root/top_block.py" Executing: "/root/top_block.py" linux; GNU C++ version 4.7.2; Boost_104900; UHD_003.005.003-0-unknown Using Volk machine: sse3_32_orc gr-osmosdr v0.0.x-xxx-xunknown (0.0.3git) gnuradio 3.6.5.1 built-in source types: file fcd rtl rtl_tcp uhd hackrf Using device #0 Realtek RTL2838UHIDIR SN: 00000001 Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner Exact sample rate is: 2000000.052982 Hz >>> gr_fir_ccf: using 3DNow! >>> gr_fir_fff: using 3DNow! >>> gr_fir_ccc: using 3DNow!Ext My waterfall is a flat blue... nothing ....

Blue light is lit... I've never received FM (or any other audio) ... I can pick up the airplane transponder info using Scope... I've adjusted the gain..etc.. and nothing... I find it strange that I get the signal bump center screen - no matter what frequency I'm tuned to... (see my picture) ... could it be the dongle is malfunctioned? I'd think if it picks up plane info.. it should pick up FM or anything else for that matter... could it be the little antenna that came with the device - that's all they're using at Hak5.... so that wouldn't seem the reason for a total failure. I do appreciate any thoughts ....

I have a NooElec SDR & ADS-B USB Set w/ R820T Tuner USA; 1090MHz 1090 MHz RTL2832U RTLSDRNooElec SDR & ADS-B USB Set w/ R820T Tuner USA; 1090MHz 1090 MHz RTL2832U RTLSDR. OS = Windows 7 64bit.... I have the dongle plugged into the back of the computer and the antenna that came with it mounted outside my house. I can pick up air traffic using ADSB# and ADSB Scope. I cannot get any other thing - FM, AM, PS .. anything.. using SDR# ... it sees the dongle, the driver has been updated using zadig. When I start the program, I get a constant signal in the middle of the display and it doesn't move if I change frequency .. it stays centered. There's nothing but static around it and a steady signal when I'm on it. Help! If that's possible. I'm out of options.

Which "radio" type do I select for the weather station in SDR#.... I haven't been able to do anything with this so far except track planes - no AM/FM ..etc .. I went to the 162.500 MHz and see a spike there... and trying various of the radio buttons .. CW I get a strong tone ... all the rest of them either static or nothing at all. Obviously I have some trouble with something.. but not sure what. I'm on a Windows 7 64 Bit... the dongle seems to be installed correctly ( I can track planes with scope) ... I have the antenna outside stuck on the side of my house. Any suggestions appreciated.

Not sure it is the antenna... I have major flights that come directly over (well, as close as any others that I DO get a Lat/Long on) and never pick up them up on my screen. I wonder if there is a way to measure their transmission strength? Maybe some transponders don't put out like others? I really don't know what's possible. I am looking at the other posts concerning antennas to see what I can do to beef up my receiving ability.

Speaking of interference - I have my USB dongle plugged into the rear of my computer.. with the antenna cable running out a small hole in my wall and the magnetic antenna stuck to a small piece of metal on the side of my house. I saw on youtube somewhere (sorry - don't recall where) that someone used an USB extension cable to get the dongle away from the computer ... Does anyone know if this is necessary / or even helps? I could move the entire thing outside at that rate.... I have yet to have the FM radio to work... all I get is static :*( but I've been focused on the adsb scope for now (one thing at a time) Looking forward to your reply.

I think I can answer my own question - I get a bunch of planes with NO Lat/Long data ... only planes with Lat/Long data actually display. So my question is - why wouldn't these other planes be broadcasting Lat/Long ?

I'm a newbie to SDR as well - using ADSB# and adsb-Scope in Windows 7 - 64bit - I've managed to get it functioning .. but when comparing flightradar24.com I certainly don't get the planes on my screen that are in my area. I AM getting a nice list of info in the right had logging area (some of it seems bogus - however.) Any thoughts as to why I'm only getting limited aircraft icons on the map section - as right now - I have 4 planes in my log list and only 1 displaying.