# RTL-SDR Blog V4

> Start a receive-only software-defined radio setup over USB.

- **Category:** Radio & mesh
- **Availability:** Listed by maker
- **Price:** US$37.95 (at rtl-sdr.com), checked 2026-09-15
- **Good for:** Start a receive-only software-defined radio setup over USB.
- **You'll need:** Compatible V4 driver, receiver software and a band-appropriate antenna.
- **Trade-off:** V4, V4L and generic RTL-SDR dongles are different hardware.
- **Page:** https://gadgets.sh/devices/rtl-sdr-blog-v4/

## Where to buy

| Shop | Status | Link |
|---|---|---|
| RTL-SDR Blog | Orderable | https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/?utm_source=gadgets.sh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rtl-sdr-blog-v4&utm_content=api |
| Amazon | Orderable | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CD745394?utm_source=gadgets.sh&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=rtl-sdr-blog-v4&utm_content=api |

## Blueprint

**Closed design.** RTL-SDR Blog publishes a short datasheet/quick-start PDF with specs but no schematic, PCB, or BOM for the V4 dongle.

### Design files

- datasheet: [RTL-SDR Blog V4 datasheet (PDF, quick-start style)](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RTLSDR_V4_Datasheet_V_1_0.pdf) (PDF)

### Key parts

| Part | Role | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|
| Realtek RTL2832U | DVB-T COFDM demodulator / USB 2.0 ADC | https://www.realtek.com/Product/Index?id=615 |
| Rafael Micro R828D | Tri-band (HF/VHF/UHF) tuner front end |  |

_Notes:_ Fetched the datasheet PDF directly: it is a short spec/quick-start sheet, not an engineering schematic. R828D has no public manufacturer datasheet page (Rafael Micro doesn't publish one); the Realtek product-index page was confirmed live for the RTL2832U.

## Specifications

### Receiver

| | |
|---|---|
| Model | R828D tuner and 8-bit RTL2832U ADC; receive only. |
| Coverage | 500 kHz–1.766 GHz. |
| Capture bandwidth | 2.56 MHz stable; 3.2 MHz may drop samples. |
| HF path | Built-in 28.8 MHz upconverter; compatible drivers handle the offset. |
| Front end | HF/VHF/UHF triplexer with automatic broadcast-band notch filtering. |
| Filtering trade-off | Launch measurements show reduced sensitivity on some bands; filters do not prevent all overload. |
| Reference | 1 ppm TCXO. |
| RF port | SMA input, typically 50 Ω. |

### Power and antenna

| | |
|---|---|
| USB | USB-A male; typical draw 250–270 mA. |
| Bias tee | Software-switched 4.5 V, up to 180 mA. |
| Bias-tee load | Do not enable into a directly connected DC-short antenna; follow the maker’s bias-tee wiring guide. |
| Cooling | Aluminium enclosure and thermal pad dissipate heat. |
| Package choice | V4 launched as dongle-only or antenna-set packages; confirm the exact seller bundle. |

### Software and revisions

| | |
|---|---|
| Required drivers | Use a V4-aware library; older applications may need their RTL-SDR DLL replaced. |
| Windows driver | Quickstart installs WinUSB for the RTL interface, normally Bulk-In Interface 0; verify USB ID 0BDA:2838:00. |
| Application selection | Select RTL-SDR USB as the SDR# source after driver setup. |
| Linux and macOS | V4 guide covers current librtlsdr installation; packaged old drivers can lack V4 support. |
| Android | Maker documents V4 support through updated SDR Driver and supported SDR applications. |
| HF settings | Use the upconverter path; V3 direct-sampling setup is not the V4 workflow. |
| V4L is different | V4L uses R828S and a diplexed front end; its software-support requirements differ. |
| Stock boundary | The 2023 launch page’s production forecast is historical, not a current V4 stock guarantee. |

## Firmware & community

- [RTL-SDR Drivers & Tools](https://github.com/osmocom/rtl-sdr) — Primary software defined radio receiver drivers, spectrum utilities, and raw I/Q capture tools.
- [Gqrx SDR](https://github.com/gqrx-sdr/gqrx) — Open source software defined radio receiver GUI powered by GNU Radio and Qt.

## Documentation

- [V4 datasheet v1.0](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RTLSDR_V4_Datasheet_V_1_0.pdf)
- [V4 design and launch details](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v4-dongle-initial-release/)
- [V4 platform and bias-tee guide](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/v4/)
- [Windows and SDR quickstart](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-quick-start-guide/)
- [Maker store and model distinction](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/)
- [V4L introduction](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v4l-lite-now-available-for-purchase/)

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Source: gadgets.sh · https://gadgets.sh/devices/rtl-sdr-blog-v4/ · JSON: https://gadgets.sh/api/v1/devices/rtl-sdr-blog-v4.json