rtl-433 no output

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Chris Wharton

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Feb 5, 2023, 7:14:39 AM2/5/23
to rtl_433
I have a couple SDR USB devices and have tried a number of configurations none of them are producing any decoded output.  I thought this might be an issue with my local compilation so have also tried docker images but still no output.  Sometimes with -vvvvv I get some ghost attempts at decode, but no actual real output.  I have a couple of ariels a monopole 433 ariel and a dipole ariel both seem to be the same and the results are the same across the two dongles.

What else should I be looking at.

Command line and output.
=================================

chris@Dell-XPS:~$ docker run --device  /dev/bus/usb/001/004 hertzg/rtl_433 -vvvv
rtl_433 version 22.11 (2022-11-19) inputs file rtl_tcp RTL-SDR with TLS
Use -h for usage help and see https://triq.org/ for documentation.
Trying conf file at "rtl_433.conf"...
Trying conf file at "/root/.config/rtl_433/rtl_433.conf"...
Trying conf file at "/usr/local/etc/rtl_433/rtl_433.conf"...
Trying conf file at "/etc/rtl_433/rtl_433.conf"...
Registering protocol [1] "Silvercrest Remote Control"
Registering protocol [2] "Rubicson, TFA 30.3197 or InFactory PT-310 Temperature Sensor"
Registering protocol [3] "Prologue, FreeTec NC-7104, NC-7159-675 temperature sensor"
Registering protocol [4] "Waveman Switch Transmitter"
……….(truncated) ……..
Registering protocol [221] "Fine Offset Electronics WN34 temperature sensor"
Registering protocol [222] "Rubicson Pool Thermometer 48942"
Registering protocol [223] "Badger ORION water meter, 100kbps (-f 916450000 -s 1200000)"
Registered 191 out of 223 device decoding protocols
Found 1 device(s)

trying device  0:  Realtek, RTL2838UHIDIR, SN: 00000001
Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner
Using device 0: Generic RTL2832U OEM
Exact sample rate is: 250000.000414 Hz
[R82XX] PLL not locked!
Sample rate set to 250000 S/s.
Bit detection level set to 0.0 (Auto).
Tuner gain set to Auto.
Reading samples in async mode...
Tuned to 433.920MHz.
Allocating 15 zero-copy buffers
baseband_demod_FM: low pass filter for 250000 Hz at cutoff 25000 Hz, 40.0 us

Christian Z.

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Feb 5, 2023, 7:48:30 AM2/5/23
to rtl_433
Try
  -Y autolevel -M level
to see what the decoder input is.
Otherwise follow https://triq.org/rtl_433/ANALYZE.html to check if you actually get samples.

Chris Wharton

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Feb 5, 2023, 10:01:25 AM2/5/23
to rtl_433
The -Y autolevel -M level switches make no difference.
I have captured a file (attached), I have a remote for a windows opener that I captured in the file.  It creates three sets of pulses for a long press.
But there is no decoder for this device.  So i can see output from a local remote but there is no detection for other signals.  One of my aerials is outside on the roof, but not in an optimal position,  and yet no decodes happening from the surrounding area. Should I expect to see decodes of signals in my area (North London)

Thank you for your feedback, but still stuck. 

Christian Z.

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Feb 5, 2023, 10:09:58 AM2/5/23
to rtl_433
Sorry, confused -M level (show levels on successful receives) with
 -M noise
which you actually want.
Drop your samples on https://triq.org/pdv/ to check the waterfall for transmissions. If it's just that no decoders for your signals are present then use
 -A
to at least get feedback on the transmissions (but no decode).

Michael Cadiere

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Feb 5, 2023, 1:30:47 PM2/5/23
to rtl_433

So what happens if you run with nothing after rtl_433 ?

docker run --device /dev/bus/usb/001/004 hertzg/rtl_433

Chris Wharton

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Feb 6, 2023, 2:43:28 PM2/6/23
to Michael Cadiere, rtl_433
I have captured a wav file using CubicSDR and uploaded it to https://triq.org/pdv/
This shows activity on the 433 band
image.png
is this just noise or does it look like there are things that should be decoded?



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Christian Z.

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Feb 6, 2023, 3:18:28 PM2/6/23
to rtl_433
That wav file is probably an FM or AM demod, right? You really want an cu8 file.

Chris Wharton

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Feb 11, 2023, 6:42:37 AM2/11/23
to rtl_433
have captured some frames with rtl_433 -S all  
output attached,  I get similar from both dongles and both Ariel's.
g029_433.92M_250k.cu8

Christian Z.

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Feb 11, 2023, 9:28:54 AM2/11/23
to rtl_433
Did you look at that sample file?

There are two massive carriers (433.825M and 433.950) that jam everything. There is a transmission at the end, but you won't be able to read that.

With those jamming signals the 433.92M band is not usable for you.

Chris Wharton

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Feb 11, 2023, 1:16:45 PM2/11/23
to rtl_433
Thanks for the feedback, I don't really understand what I am looking at but can see it now that you have pointed it out.
Any idea how I can find or try and trace the transmitions?

Christian Z.

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Feb 11, 2023, 2:24:07 PM2/11/23
to rtl_433
Use a mobile computer with some SDR software like Gqrx, CubicSDR, SigDigger, … set a fixed gain then wander around. A directional antenna will help, but you'd need to build or buy one.
You might be able to involve authorities -- the transmission is likely breaking laws.
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