Unable to get Gqrx to work with RTL SDR on mac

[TheRubbersoul1991]

Hi all

I'm new to all this. I have installed Gqrx successfully on Macbook Air running Sierra 10.12.2. It recognises the RTL SDR (v3 for HF) but when I try and configure the SDR the software crashes. When reopening the Gqrx a message comes up stating that it has detected configuration problems with the program and that it is likely to crash. It then asks me if I want to reconfigure the SDR. If I choose No it crashes, or I can choose yes. I do not know what I should reconfigure it to. I have used the following settings as follows:

Device: RTL SDR Spectrum Server
Device string: rtl_tcp=localhost:1234
Input rate: 1800000
Decimation: 0
Sample rate: 1.8000
Bandwidth: 0000
LNB LO: 0000
Device: Built in output
Sample rate 48khz

I would appreciate anyone's help. It seems it should open without drama according the various videos etc, but not for me.

Many thanks

Phil

[Alexandru Csete]

Phil,

You have to select RTLSDR device, not the spectrum server... The
spectrum server requires that you have a server already running before
starting gqrx.

Alex

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[TheRubbersoul1991]

Hi Alex

Thank you for the reply. I don't appear to have that option in the drop down menu. I have the following:
Complex sampled (IQ) File
RF Space Cloud IQ Receiver
RF Space Net SDR Receiver
RF Space SDR IP Receiver
RF Space SDR IQ Receiver
RTL SDR Spectrum Server
Red Pitaya Transceiver Server
Other (which seems to require manual entry of values)

I'm not why this is. Any ideas?

I'll keep searching around in the meantime

73
Phil

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[TheRubbersoul1991]

Hi Alex
well some partial success. By plugging in the dongle before starting the software it has now recognised the RTL SDR. No signal though on any bands. The RTL SDR is working as I am receiving signals nicely in the Cubic SDR program. I have set the LNB LO to -24.0000 mhz or thereabouts in order to receive MW. I've no idea if this is correct. I'm getting closer but not quite there yet.

Regards, Phil

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[Alexandru Csete]

Hi Phil,

"LNB LO" is only for display purposes. It is used when you have an up-
or downconverter in front of your device. Do you have that? If yes,
what is its LO frequency? I doubt it's 24 MHz...

If you want to use direct sampling, then you have to change the device
string depending on whether you are using I or Q branch, e.g.

rtl=0,direct_samp=1

or

rtl=0,direct_samp=2

and you don't need to set LNB LO to anything.

Alex

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[TheRubbersoul1991]

Hi Alex

Success! The receiver is working. Unfortunately the front end is overloading terribly from the BCB right across the bands. More work to be done with a filter, but at least it's up and running.

Many thanks

Phil

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[Simon Kennedy]

Phil

One cause of overload is having the gain too high. You need to experiment with it to find the 'sweet spot'.

Simon.

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