Experimental mode
RTL-SDR in your browser
A free software-defined radio receiver that runs in a browser tab. Plug in an RTL2832U USB stick and start listening, with no program to install.
ATS Mini Controller has a second mode for RTL-SDR receivers. The browser talks to the stick over WebUSB, and the samples are demodulated inside the tab, so nothing about the signal leaves your computer. The mode is marked Experimental.
What you can do
- Watch the spectrum and waterfall, and listen to up to six VFOs at once inside the captured band.
- Demodulate AM, SAM, DSB, USB, LSB, CW, NFM and WFM, with RDS on FM broadcast.
- Scan a frequency range, a channel list or your bookmarks.
- Record audio and IQ, and open IQ files (WAV, RF64, SigMF) as a source.
- Browse the EiBi shortwave schedule, live spots and airband frequencies near you.
Decoders
- Amateur radio: CW, RTTY, SSTV, FT8, FT4, PSK31, WSPR, APRS, 9600 baud packet, NCDXF beacons.
- Aviation: ADS-B, Mode A/C, ACARS, VDL2, VOR, SELCAL, ELT.
- Maritime: AIS, NAVTEX, DSC, WEFAX.
- Broadcast and satellites: DAB, Meteor LRPT, SARSAT beacons.
- Digital and signalling: DMR, dPMR, D-STAR, TETRA, POCSAG, DTMF, CTCSS and DCS tones, ISM sensors.
Encrypted traffic is only flagged, never decrypted, and no voice codec is included. You decide what you may receive where you are. The decoders guide explains what each one reads.
What you need
- An RTL2832U stick with an R820T, R820T2 or R828D tuner, such as the RTL-SDR Blog V3 or V4 or a Nooelec NESDR. Help with buying is in RTL-SDR receivers.
- Chrome, Edge or Opera on a computer, or Chrome on Android. Safari, Firefox and iPhone browsers have no WebUSB.
- On Windows, the WinUSB driver installed with Zadig. On Linux, the DVB driver blocked. macOS needs no driver.
Get started
- Open the app and choose RTL-SDR in the Device menu in the header.
- Plug in the stick and follow the steps on the connect card.
- Tune to a station. Getting started with an RTL-SDR walks through it, and troubleshooting covers common problems.
Questions
Do I need to install anything?
No program. On Windows and Linux the system needs a one-time driver step so the browser can open the stick. On macOS you just plug it in.
Which RTL-SDR sticks work?
RTL2832U sticks with an R820T, R820T2 or R828D tuner get every feature. Sticks with other tuners open in a basic mode, where you can see the spectrum and record but not tune.
Does my signal data leave the computer?
No. The samples are processed inside the browser tab.
Does it work on a phone?
In Chrome on Android, with a USB OTG adapter. Browsers on iPhone and iPad have no WebUSB, but you can still open an IQ file there.