Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 SDR - NESDR SMArt HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) Software Defined Radio. Premium RTLSDR w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input & Aluminum Enclosure. RTL2832U & R820T2 (R860)-Based Radio

I bought this because I've had a Nooelec SDR dongle previously and wanted to add HF reception for shortwave and ham listening. It's easy to set up using their get started page and it basically uses the same drivers and utilities as other RTl-SDR dongles, which makes things relatively easy. I've tested it on Windows, Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and Android, all working well with standard drivers and apps. The ony thing I would say for Android though is that the current maxes out around 300mA (so says the datasheet anyway), so for extended usage you'd probably want a powered USB hub /otg-cable (you can get USB-C PD ones online for a few buckpounds).While I have a Hamitup for lower frequencies I wanted to have HF in the dongle for casual scanning and for ease of carrying when going away and doing a bit of holiday DXing. Obviously that means I expect the HF reception not to be as good as an upconvertor, but I was pleasantly surprised by the range of shortwave stations, the limited noise, and audio quality, I got just using a few metres of wire and the Balun 1:9 (a Nooelec SDR accessory for making long wire antennas).So overall it seems a pretty impressive and inexpensive USB RTL-SDR dongle for everyone from beginners to ham operators, especially those who want an easy way into shortwave and HF ham listening.

Use this for the TX Advance app on my android phone, works well & not too bulky or heavy to connect to a phone USB C port with an adapter

UPDATE: December 2021. This was a great buy. Having used it for tracking weather balloon signals; low earth orbit satellites and FM radio DX'ing! .... it has proven to be an excellent SDR, not only for the price but for its dynamic range and sensitivity.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I bought this RTL-SDR to replace the Nooelec NESDR Mini 2. I believe the Mini 2 had deteriorated; no physical damage that I could see, but it had gone 'deaf' and was not performing well on a couple of different SDR applications ... HD-SDR, SDRUno and CubicSDR.The SMART v4 has a better dynamic range, better overall sensitivity and is more stable.I use it primarily in a SatGate set-up; I-gating ISS APRS packets to the Internet/ARISS and it is much more capable of obtaining virtually 100% successful decodes than its predecessor (Mini2).I would recommend it.

I bought this device to attach to a Raspberry Pi, running the FR24 software to submit ADS-B data. Works perfectly out of the box, no issues (like other reviewers) with drivers etc. The only thing I was concerned about was that the device gets quite hot with routine use - too hot to comfortably handle, so I'm a little concerned regarding safety and longevity of the product.

poor usb connector

This is a genuine Nooelec SDR. Bought direct as I did not want a copy. Wow.. Its a great little sdr and almost as sensitive as my ham radios. This little sdr however recieves on many frequencies that my much more expensive radios do not. You can see 2mhz at once. (the whole of 2m all at once) you can see traffic you would otherwise miss. The air band is superb. From Redditch I'm listening to planes off the coast of Wales and even in Scotland. There is still more I haven't even played with yet. CB and 10meters, 6m, 4m, 2m 70cm and 23cm, FM radio (very good!) and air band. Lots of fun and listening for £35. It benefits from a good antenna but this can be home made. Buy one, you will not regret it.

worked fine for few weeks then stopped being detected by my android phone. tried different cables and used a powered usb hub but still connect very randomly

This is a FANTASTIC entry point into the world of SDR receivers. This version does not offer BiasT power however.NooElec also do the Lana wideband RF amplifier, which to be honest adds a load of gain but offers no benefit if used right before the input of the SDR. I suspect it needs to be used like a masthead preamp next to an antenna to amplify signals down a long coax run.The Flamingo FM+ is excellent however and offers good attenuation of broadcast FM stations.This SDR provides great stability and capability when using SDR#. And yes it can be used to pick up ADS-B if you want to feed flightradar24 etc....2Mhz of bandwidth is very usable, more is great but you have to pay for it.This is the perfect first step into SDR.Highly recommend!