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Your cart is empty. Includes 1x RTL-SDR Blog Wideband LNA (Bias Tee Powered) and 1x SMA male to SMA male adapter. This is a general purpose SPF5189Z based wideband LNA. Works from 50 MHz to 4 GHz with a noise figure of less than 1dB and a gain of 18.7dB @ 900 MHz. Requires bias tee power, but there is an internal header which can be used to switch to external power, although you won't be able to use the enclosure in that case. If you're looking to improve ADS-B performance we recommend our Triple Filtered ADS-B LNA.
Please note again: Requires 3 - 5v bias tee power. The RTL-SDR V3 provides 4.5v so is suitable.
IMPORTANT ESD NOTE: If you use this LNA placed close to an outdoor antenna, please ensure that your antenna is sufficiently grounded. There is a fast ESD diode, and GDT on the LNA PCB for dual protection, but if the antenna is not grounded the effectiveness of ESD protection components will be severely reduced, and you run the risk of damaging the LNA.
BGB
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2025
Mine worked. The next one I ordered for my dad arrived DOA. The replacement arrived yesterday and I'll test it this weekend. When working, it does what it's supposed to - using it (turn on the Bias T) brings in signals that were unheard without it. It was the first thing I ordered after getting my RTL-SDR USB stick.
Mr. Bungle
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2025
I have several of these, they are good quality, they do a good job helping me boost my reception when I need it.
Bob
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025
Works as advertised.
DavidFromDownUnder
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
I've had several LNA's, all more costly than this one, and this little gem is the clear winner. I've used it for weeks side-by-side with the others and this one out-performs even ones from Mini-Circuits on my Uniden SDS200 scanner. A preamp won't work miracles, but it certainly helps pull in signals I otherwise could not receive.
Ian Stedman
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2024
I can't easily verify the gain figures but it has helped immensely with reception of NOAA satellites around 137 MHz and 433 MHz data. Works fine using the Biastee in the RTL-SDR blog dongle and is easy to connect in the daisy chain from the aerial.
william cutright
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2024
perfect product for what I needed.
Adrian JM
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2024
Bought for a longer cable run, allows me to keep the gain control lower on the receiver, no apparent noise increases. All good. Being Bias-Tee powered is a bonus not needing a separate power supply, powered via the antenna cable, make sure your receiver can do that before buying.
Daderp
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
There’s a lot to like about this LNA, but it didn’t do miracles for me. This is my first LNA so I’m not sure what to expect, but I was hoping to be able to turn off all amplification on the SDR side. This allowed me to lower it, but not completely disable it. I am using it to amp for two sdrs so maybe that’s my problem. Maybe I need two.That being said, it’s built like a tank, accepted power from my old silver SDR, and I’m running it in a hot attic with no issues so far. Overall, a solid product.
Steven Hageman
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
Based on the SPF5189Z RF Amplifier IC this device essentially mimics the data sheet specifications according to my tests. I tested it over a voltage range of 3 to 5 volts and it works as advertised, although the gain starts to fall off by a little less than 1 dB from 3 to 3.3 Volts.A great feature of this amplifier is the addition of overvoltage protection to the input. There is a ESD suppressor diode and that is followed by a dual diode in a back to back configuration. That should be plenty of protection.If you are not going to be using this with a Bias T then you can open it up, move a jumper and add some power lads to the provided solder pads.Hooks right up to the V3 or V4 RTL-SDR (Be sure to look for the instructions on how to enable the Receivers Bias-T function before use).Bottom line: I would buy this again.Edit: I added a photo and some RF tests I made. The PCB shot details the circuit and features. The RF Gain shows the measured gain and the Input SWR shows the measured RF Input SWR. Note: On a receiver the input SWR is not all that important and a LNA by definition will have a less than perfect SWR because it is matched for low noise instead of optimizing the SWR, also the inclusion of the input protection will degrade the SWR. All in all the match is fine for all applications that this amplifier is likely to be used in.
Heard Of Me
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2023
My first lna that wasn't already included with the antenna, such as the mla-30+. I hooked this up to a horizontal random wire with 1:9 balun to a rtl-sdr. You do need to download a free sdr# bias tee software to power the lna. By experimentation, I realised all the other sdr software needed to be off before using bias tee on dot bat to power this lna. So, once bias tee on window pops up, activates and pops off, open sdr# and you are good to go. Adjust noise levels as they will increase. And with all this, finally my random wire antenna works as well as my excellent mla-30. Another discovery was , when the rtl-sdr lna is powered, there is a green glow from the interior and can be seen to confirm powered status. I am very glad I added this affordable lna to my collection.
Mirko
Reviewed in Germany on December 16, 2023
Funktioniert Fabelhaft für Wettersatelliten wie zB. für NOAA 137MHz. Eine Verbesserung um 100%. Wahnsinn, danke !!!
Gary Turnbull
Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2022
Very disappointed. The LNA came without any documentation or instructions. After a little research on the RTL-CDR website I found out it needs 5VDC to power up. You can get 5V from the RTL-CDR.Com dongle. You have to activate the Bias Tee. and you can do this in software. I downloaded the zip file from the site, extracted the files to a folder and then Ran "bias_tee_on.bat. I then got a warning that I was trying to run an unrecognized file. But you could click on "More Info" and then on "Run Anyway". After I turned on the bias Tee, I opened CDRSharp. I did not see any signs of amplification or lower noise. I checked some known FM stations and had the exact same results with the bias tee on and the bias tee off. In other words the LNA was not working. I then removed the LNA and measured the spectrum. I then re-inserted the LNA. Again, no difference. Maybe the LNA is okay, but the bias tee software isn't working. I will have to see if I can measure the voltage with a meter. Note I also looked at signals in the 900 MHz band, again no difference.
Willy
Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2021
Strong enough for my project.Case can be taken off and you can hardwire 5V to the board as bias tee does not work for tx or rx on some of my SDRs. Very pleased. Thank you seller.
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