Nooelec’s main RTL-SDR receiver families are:
Here are Nooelec’s commonly sold software-defined radio (SDR) models and product lines (consumer/ham/RTL-based and more advanced units):
- Nooelec NESDR (RTL-SDR family)
- NESDR Nano 3 (RTL2832U + R820T2)
- NESDR Nano 2+ (RTL2832U + R820T2)
- NESDR Smart v4 / Smart (variants with improved shielding/filtering)
- NESDR SMArt XTR (improved front-end)
- NESDR Nano 3 Pro
- Nooelec RTL-SDR Blog co-branded variants (common retail listings derived from NESDR line)
- RTL-SDR Blog V3 (sold under various Nooelec product names)
- Nooelec Ham It Up / Upconverter accessories
- Ham It Up v1.3 (HF upconverter for RTL-SDR)
- Nooelec SDRplay / RTL alternatives and USB dongles
- Nooelec SDR USB (general-purpose RTL-based dongles and improved RF shielding variants)
- Nooelec SDR receivers (higher-end / USB connected)
- Nooelec Nano 2 Pro (improved components)
- Nooelec SMArt SDR series (multiple revisions like v1–v4)
- Nooelec accessories often sold alongside SDRs
- SMA antennas (dipole, telescopic)
- Filters (FM broadcast notch, bandpass)
- Preamps and attenuators
- Antenna adapters and cables
Notes:
For exact current model names, specifications, and new releases, check the vendor listing where you plan to buy (models frequently refresh).
Many Nooelec products are iterative revisions (v1/v2/v3/v4) and are sold under similar NESDR/SMArt/Nano names; availability varies by retailer.
Nooelec SDR models — key specs
| Model | Tuner/Chipset | Frequency range (typical) | Sample rate / ADC | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NESDR Nano 3 / Nano 3 Pro | RTL2832U + R820T2 | ~25 MHz – 1.75 GHz (with upconverter for HF) | ~2.4 MSPS (real-world usable ~2.0 MSPS) | Compact nano form factor, improved shielding (Pro adds components/filters) |
| NESDR Nano 2 / Nano 2 Pro | RTL2832U + R820T2 | ~25 MHz – 1.75 GHz | ~2.4 MSPS | Low-cost, compact; Pro has better components/filters |
| NESDR SMArt v4 (SMArt XTR) | RTL2832U + R820T2 (enhanced front-end) | ~25 MHz – 1.75 GHz | ~2.4 MSPS | Improved front-end, better AGC and filtering, SMA connector |
| NESDR Smart (earlier v1–v3) | RTL2832U + R820T2 | ~25 MHz – 1.75 GHz | ~2.4 MSPS | Iterative improvements in shielding/filters across versions |
| RTL-SDR Blog V3 (co-branded listings) | RTL2832U + R820T2 | ~25 MHz – 1.75 GHz | ~2.4 MSPS | Common reference dongle; SMD-tuned components, SMA |
| Ham It Up v1.3 (upconverter) | NE612/SA612-based upconverter | Extends HF to RTL dongles (0–30 MHz upconverted) | N/A (acts as front-end) | Adds HF capability; requires bias power; includes bandpass filtering |
| Nooelec wideband USB SDR (higher-end USB receivers) | Varies (e.g., RTL-derived or other front-ends) | Often ~500 kHz – 1.7 GHz (model dependent) | Varies (depends on ADC) | Better shielding, built-in filters, accessory bundles |
Notes:
- RTL-based dongles use an 8‑bit ADC with practical sample rates near 2–3 MSPS; effective performance varies by driver/host and antenna.
- HF reception below ~25–30 MHz requires an HF-capable model or an upconverter (e.g., Ham It Up).
- Exact specs differ between revisions (Nano, SMArt, SMArt XTR, Pro). For purchase-specific details, consult the seller’s product page.
The Nooelec “SMArt E” (often written SMArtE or SmartE) is a compact RTL‑SDR USB dongle in the SMArt family that focuses on improved front‑end filtering, shielding, and convenience features compared with basic NESDR Nano units. Key points:
- Chipset: RTL2832U tuner with R820T/R820T2 front-end (8‑bit ADC).
- Frequency: Typical receive band ~25–1750 MHz (HF requires upconverter).
- Front end improvements: Better shielding, tuned components, and additional filtering to reduce strong-signal overload and spurious responses versus older cheap RTL sticks.
- Connectors: SMA female antenna connector on the dongle (some variants use RP‑SMA).
- Bias‑tee: Some SMArt E/SMArt variants offer a bias‑tee (DC on the SMA) — check the specific SKU.
- Form factor: Small, USB dongle intended for desktop and portable use.
- Use cases: FM broadcast, aircraft ADS‑B (with appropriate antenna or frontend), APRS, trunking, general VHF/UHF monitoring, shortwave with upconverter.
- Software support: Works with common SDR software (SDR#, GQRX, CubicSDR, SDRangel, dump1090 for ADS‑B). Drivers: standard ZADIG/WinUSB for Windows; native drivers on Linux/macOS.
- Limitations: 8‑bit ADC limits dynamic range and weak-signal performance vs. higher‑end SDRs; HF requires an upconverter; performance varies by revision.
- Purchasing tips: Verify exact revision and whether the SKU includes bias‑tee, SMA type, and any bundled filters or antennas.