R820T2 Dongle - First Impressions

[Bethsalem]

The R820T2 dongle arrived today, together with a smart new enclosure. I've connected it to my balcony window pcb antenna and LNA.

My first impressions are very favourable.

The noise threshold has dropped by 3dB according to the RTL1090 software and the signal strength/message rate is stronger/higher. I am using the same pcb antenna and would say that I'm not sure if the range has increased because my view from the window is obstructed in some directions. It certainly isn't worse.

At the moment the R820T2 is about double the price of the R820T dongle, but I think it's a worthwhile improvement on the original and worth buying.

Stephen

[shakysen]

Bethy. Buy another PCB antenna an place side by side 10-11/16ins apart. an see if any improvement

[Bethsalem]

Alas the money well runneth dry, so you're going to have to rely on my great observational skills 

[Bethsalem]

The R820T2 dongle arrived today, together with a smart new enclosure. I've connected it to my balcony window pcb antenna and LNA.

My first impressions are very favourable.

The noise threshold has dropped by 3dB according to the RTL1090 software and the signal strength/message rate is stronger/higher. I am using the same pcb antenna and would say that I'm not sure if the range has increased because my view from the window is obstructed in some directions. It certainly isn't worse.

At the moment the R820T2 is about double the price of the R820T dongle, but I think it's a worthwhile improvement on the original and worth buying.

Stephen

A more scientific review over at Ham Radio Science can be found here. The newer dongle seems to be an improvement over the original R820T

http://www.hamradioscience.com/rtl2832u-r820t-vs-rtl2832u-r820t2/2/

[Radio2.0]

SDR# + RTL1090 say my dongle is a R820T instead of a R820T2. 

So what is true?

[Bethsalem]

The software is telling you that you have an R820T dongle. Your dongle is not an R820T2.

[Radio2.0]

i order an t2 so?
on that picture is no "2" to:
http://www.hamradioscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RTL1090-2.jpg

[Bethsalem]

You need to ask for your money back as you've been sent an R820T dongle and not an R820T2.

[IanH]

Not sure whether the software tells the difference. Anyone confirm or otherwise?

The certain way to check is to take the dongle apart. The case just clicks open. Then look to see what the writing on the small black chip inside says - mine said R820T2 so I was happy,

[IanH]

Just run RTL1090, Dump1090 and ModeSDeco with the R820T2 dongle.

Like I thought, none of these identify the T2 chip - they just refer to R820T tuner.

So don't rely on software to check what version you have. Seems like opening up the plastic dongle case is the only certain way to identify the chip.

[spotter.ssol]

I'm getting better range with old R820T:

[Radio2.0]

1) where do you get the Dongle from?
2) Do you check the Frequency Correction?
3) Do you use the same Antenna at the same Time? (an reset the counter ?)

[spotter.ssol]

1) Both from China;
2) With kalibrate (http://www.satsignal.eu/raspberry-pi/acars-decoder.html#kalibrate)
3) Same antenna (6-element colinear), different days, but same time interval (20 hours, starting at 20:00 GMT).
Did the same test many times, with different dongles, even with different antennas. R820T aways performs better than T2 regarding range. Very weird!
I've posted this because I couldn't find any comparisson over Internet regarding those two. Have any of you guys have made such comparative?

ps: sorry my English!

[Radio2.0]

I never compare with each other.  .

But buy your dongle on your pc, laptop and search for the next VPLMET in your Area and use this for the exact frequency shift.

[ajen]

Same here.
In my setup the "old" R820T also performs better with receiving ADS-B.