RTL-SDR Blog V4L (Lite) R828S SDR Dongle 500kHz–1.766GHz

The RTL-SDR Blog V4L (Lite) is the latest generation of the popular RTL-SDR Blog software defined radio receiver, combining the RTL2832U ADC with the Rafael Micro R828S tuner. Designed as a lower-cost successor to the discontinued V4, the V4L retains the built-in HF upconverter, 1 PPM TCXO, software-controlled bias tee, low-noise PCB design, SMA antenna connector, and aluminium enclosure while introducing a new diplexed RF front end.

With continuous reception from approximately 500kHz to 1.766GHz and up to 3.2MHz of instantaneous bandwidth, the V4L is an affordable wideband SDR receiver for radio scanning, ADS-B aircraft tracking, amateur radio, satellite reception, AIS, digital modes, RF experimentation, and many other receive-only applications.

Important RTL-SDR V4L Driver Compatibility Notice

The RTL-SDR Blog V4L requires updated RTL-SDR drivers. Older drivers will not operate the R828S-based V4L correctly and may result in no received signal.

Support is already available for most common Windows and Linux SDR workflows when current drivers are installed. Modern applications such as SDR#, SDR++, SDR-Console V3, and GQRX can be used with compatible updated drivers. Support on macOS and Android is still more limited and depends on individual application developers updating their bundled RTL-SDR drivers.

We recommend checking the official RTL-SDR Blog V4L user guide for the latest software and driver compatibility before purchasing for a specific application or operating system.

R828S Tuner and RTL2832U ADC

The V4L introduces the Rafael Micro R828S tuner to the RTL-SDR platform. It is paired with the proven RTL2832U 8-bit ADC used throughout the RTL-SDR ecosystem, providing broad compatibility with established SDR software once the correct V4L-compatible driver is installed.

• Tuner: Rafael Micro R828S
• ADC: RTL2832U, 8-bit
• Frequency range: approximately 500kHz to 1.766GHz
• Stable bandwidth: up to approximately 2.56MHz
• Maximum bandwidth: up to approximately 3.2MHz with possible dropped samples
• Typical input impedance: 50 Ohms

Built-In HF Upconverter

Unlike conventional RTL-SDR receivers that rely on direct sampling for HF reception, the RTL-SDR Blog V4L includes a built-in HF upconverter using a 28.8MHz local oscillator. This allows the receiver to tune directly into HF frequencies down to approximately 500kHz without manually enabling direct sampling mode.

The upconverter architecture provides improved HF sensitivity, adjustable tuner gain on HF, and avoids the Nyquist folding behaviour associated with direct-sampling designs.

V4L vs RTL-SDR Blog V4

The original RTL-SDR Blog V4 used the discontinued R828D tuner with three RF inputs, enabling a triplexed filtered front end. The new R828S has two RF inputs, so the V4L uses a diplexed design with separate HF and combined VHF/UHF paths.

The simpler front end gives the V4L slightly improved sensitivity because there are fewer filtering losses. The trade-off is reduced filtering against very strong out-of-band signals compared with the original V4. In high-interference environments, an external band-pass or notch filter may therefore be beneficial.

1 PPM TCXO for Stable Tuning

A temperature-compensated crystal oscillator provides approximately 1 PPM frequency stability, significantly reducing frequency drift compared with inexpensive generic RTL-SDR dongles. Stable tuning is particularly useful for narrowband digital signals, satellite reception, ADS-B, trunked radio, and long-running monitoring stations.

Software-Switchable 4.5V Bias Tee

The integrated bias tee can supply approximately 4.5V through the SMA antenna connector with up to 180mA continuous current. It can be activated through compatible software and is useful for powering supported low-noise amplifiers, active antennas, and other RF accessories directly through the coaxial cable.

Only enable the bias tee when a compatible powered RF device is connected. Do not enable it into a DC-short antenna without a suitable LNA or other DC-blocking arrangement.

Improved Power Supply and Low-Noise PCB

The V4L retains the improved power architecture and PCB layout developed for the V4 platform. These changes reduce internally generated noise and phase noise around strong signals while also improving efficiency and lowering heat generation compared with older designs.

Aluminium Case with Passive Cooling

The RTL-SDR Blog V4L is supplied in an aluminium enclosure with an internal thermal pad that transfers heat from the circuitry into the case. This passive cooling system improves thermal stability during long reception sessions and at higher operating frequencies.

SMA Female Antenna Connector

The 50-Ohm SMA female RF connector provides a durable and widely supported connection for SDR antennas, coaxial cables, filters, LNAs, attenuators, and other RF accessories.

Key Features

• Official RTL-SDR Blog V4L (Lite) software defined radio receiver
• Rafael Micro R828S tuner
• RTL2832U 8-bit ADC
• Approximately 500kHz to 1.766GHz frequency coverage
• 2.56MHz stable instantaneous bandwidth
• Up to 3.2MHz bandwidth with possible dropped samples
• Built-in HF upconverter with 28.8MHz LO
• 1 PPM temperature-compensated crystal oscillator
• Software-switchable 4.5V bias tee
• Bias tee output up to approximately 180mA continuous
• SMA female 50-Ohm RF input
• Diplexed HF and VHF/UHF RF front end
• Improved power supply and PCB layout
• Additional ESD protection
• Aluminium enclosure with passive thermal cooling
• USB-A male connector
• Receive-only SDR hardware

Popular RTL-SDR Applications

• General wideband radio scanning
• HF and shortwave reception
• Amateur radio monitoring
• ADS-B aircraft tracking at 1090MHz
• ACARS aircraft communications
• AIS marine vessel tracking
• APRS reception
• POCSAG pager decoding
• Trunked radio monitoring
• P25 and DMR/MotoTRBO reception where legally permitted
• FM, AM, SSB, CW, and digital radio reception
• NOAA and Meteor weather satellite reception with a suitable antenna
• Weather balloon tracking
• DAB digital radio reception
• Radio astronomy experiments
• Panadapter use with amateur radio equipment
• Raspberry Pi and remote SDR receiver projects

Compatible SDR Software

With current V4L-compatible drivers, the dongle can be used with a large ecosystem of SDR applications, including SDR#, SDR++, SDR-Console, GQRX, HDSDR, CubicSDR, GNU Radio, rtl_tcp, SatDump, dump1090 and many other RTL-SDR compatible tools.

Compatibility depends on the operating system, application version, and bundled driver. Always install current V4L-compatible RTL-SDR drivers before troubleshooting reception problems.

Technical Specifications

• Model: RTL-SDR Blog V4L (Lite)
• Tuner chip: R828S
• ADC chip: RTL2832U, 8-bit
• Frequency range: 500kHz to 1.766GHz
• Stable bandwidth: 2.56MHz
• Maximum bandwidth: up to 3.2MHz with dropped samples possible
• Input impedance: approximately 50 Ohms
• Typical current consumption: approximately 250–270mA
• HF architecture: upconverter with 28.8MHz local oscillator
• Frequency stability: 1 PPM TCXO
• Bias tee: 4.5V, up to 180mA continuous, software switchable
• RF connector: SMA female
• USB connector: USB-A male
• RF front end: diplexer
• Enclosure: aluminium
• Cooling: thermal pad coupled to aluminium enclosure
• Transmit capability: none, receive only

What's in the Box?

• 1 × RTL-SDR Blog V4L (Lite) R828S SDR dongle

This is the dongle-only version. Antennas, cables, LNAs, filters, and other accessories are not included.

Important V4L Notice

The V4L uses a new R828S tuner configuration and must be used with updated drivers. If an older RTL-SDR driver is installed, the receiver may appear connected but receive no usable signal. Please install current V4L-compatible drivers before use.