First off don't replace the included antenna until you have checked to see if the protection diode was included, that takes internet research and a careful if simple partial case dis-assembly. The version I purchased had the electrostatic protection diode, but research says that some don't and if you go to switching out antennas without that protection then you are almost certain to damage the chips.Yes the included antenna has very VERY poor reception, but until your sure your device has a the protection diode don't replace it. You still can experiment with the device just don't expect to hear distant radio transmitters.(Instead use your own transmitters.)
Once you have found the software and did the research to successfully interface it with the receiver I recommend STRONGLY you have several handheld radio transmitter present that you control and practice setting the software to hear those radios with the receiver before trying it with distant radio sources.(I also recommend these first transmitters be simple AM and FM radios.)
I've experimented with a MUR, FRS and since I'm a HAM a 2 meter handheld as well as a 40 channel CB radio and these nearby controllable radio sources were a big help in learning to use the software and what setting would let me hear/see clear audio/radio signals and what wouldn't.
For example there is a Gain function that is not obvious in the software I've tried that will help to receive a few more distant stations, but don't expect much until you can safely replace the antenna.
Another thing is that most of the programs I've tried "SDsharp" and "HDSR" tend to default and reset the bandwidth to very narrow levels, it's probably something I'm doing, but they seem to do this constantly. You probably won't get decent audio out until you manually increase the bandwidth to the correct levels.
Also a warning with the free downloaded software you need to expect crashes, this might be a function of the fact that I'm pushing an old 1.4 GHz Dell 600 running windows XP home edition. Both free software defined radio programs I've tried would almost instantly lock up if I set sampling rates much above 1 Megasamples often to the point that "Control Alternate Delete" was the only way to get the computer to respond. At just over 2 megasamples the old Dell laptop required a hard shutdown to recover from the locked OS.
In spite of the above warning about high sampling rates if I kept the sample rates below or around 1 megasamples the Dell had no trouble and after some experimentation with settings, it wasn't to long before I was hearing clear AM and FM signals from the CB and 2 meter radios.
I've not tried or even researched using Linux style Operating Systems yet, but it's probably the way to go if your wanting to plug this receiver into a older and slower computer, but what ever computer you use faster is better.
Did I mention the need for research? I had my best search results when I used numbers off the dongles circuit board in my case "EZTV645", RTC 2832U, FC 0013 and realtek, but this is dependent on the circuit board you have.
HDM
The sensitivity is good and I have used this on 6 meter WSPR and received many beacons.No need to spend the high $$$ on the over-priced SDR out there, just get this little baby for 20 BUX!
IT DOES THE SAME EXACT THING!
Takes a little while to figure it out, but the right searching on the internet got it working better than expected!This tuner module does more then originally designed, it works very well on the HAM bands as well as others. however the use of a powered USB hub may be needed with some systems.has new tuner chip. covers more bandwidth than the 4000 series tuner... and works gread with SRP# software and vista...
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