Choose by the highest frequency you need and whether you must transmit. The RTL-SDR Blog V4 receives from 500 kHz to 1.766 GHz, the SDRplay RSP1B receives continuously from 1 kHz to 2 GHz, and HackRF One covers 1 MHz to 6 GHz as a half-duplex transceiver. That makes the V4 the low-cost receive-only option, the RSP1B the broadest low-frequency receiver with a wider display span, and HackRF One the only model here that can transmit and reach 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz.
Frequency range is only the first filter. Instantaneous bandwidth, front-end filtering, overload limits, antennas, gain, software and local interference determine how useful that range is in practice. Use the comparison and frequency-specific guide below to match a radio to your signals rather than buying on a single headline number.
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At a glance: the three frequency ranges
| Device | Tuning coverage | Radio role | Bandwidth or sample-rate figure | Front-end details | Best match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTL-SDR Blog V4 | 500 kHz–1.766 GHz | Receive only | 2.56 MHz stable; up to 3.2 MHz with drops | Triplexed HF/VHF/UHF input filtering, switchable notch filtering, 4.5 V software-switchable bias tee | Low-cost monitoring below about 1.7 GHz |
| SDRplay RSP1B | 1 kHz–2 GHz continuous | Receive only | Up to 10 MHz of spectrum monitored at once | 11 band filters; switchable AM/FM and DAB notch filters; 0 dBm continuous maximum input and 10 dBm burst | Wideband receiving, especially LF through 2 GHz |
| HackRF One | 1 MHz–6 GHz | Half-duplex transmit and receive | 2–20 Msps quadrature sample rates | 50-ohm SMA antenna connector; external filtering and attenuation may be needed for a setup | 2.4/5.8 GHz work and lawful TX/RX development |
These are tuning and interface specifications, not sensitivity rankings. No single specification predicts reception in every installation; the antenna, cable loss, gain setting, nearby transmitters, software and filtering all matter.
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What frequency range does RTL-SDR cover?
500 kHz to 1.766 GHz receive-only coverage
The RTL-SDR Blog V4 is specified for 500 kHz–1.766 GHz. It cannot transmit. Signals below 500 kHz are outside its stated tuning range, and signals above 1.766 GHz require another receiver. For ordinary VHF and UHF monitoring, this covers a large portion of the spectrum, including many broadcast, aviation, marine, public-service, satellite and amateur applications. The exact signal must still fit within the tuner’s usable bandwidth and your antenna’s response.
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Bandwidth and filtering
The V4 provides 2.56 MHz of stable bandwidth. The specification allows up to 3.2 MHz with drops, so the larger setting can lose samples and is not the same as a guaranteed stable span. Its 8-bit RTL2832U ADC is paired with an R828D tuner. Triplexed HF/VHF/UHF input filtering divides the front end by region, and switchable notch filtering can reduce selected strong interferers. A software-switchable 4.5 V bias tee can power a compatible powered antenna or LNA; enable it only when the attached hardware is designed for that voltage.
Typical current draw is listed as 250–270 mA. Check the USB port, hub or powered antenna arrangement if several dongles share one host, because the radio and any bias-powered accessory draw from the same supply.
When the V4 is the sensible choice
- You need receive-only scanning, spectrum viewing, ADS-B, AIS, pager or similar monitoring below 1.766 GHz.
- You want the least expensive way to learn SDR software and radio concepts.
- A 2.56 MHz stable view is sufficient for the signal or channel block you are studying.
The V4 is not the right purchase for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi-class work, 5.8 GHz links or any project requiring transmission. Those frequencies and functions exceed its specification.
Is SDRplay better than RTL-SDR for HF?
Coverage below 500 kHz is the decisive difference
For HF and lower-frequency receiving, the SDRplay RSP1B has the broader specification: continuous tuning from 1 kHz to 2 GHz. The RTL-SDR Blog V4 starts at 500 kHz, so the RSP1B is the straightforward choice when you need long-wave or other signals below that boundary, or when you want one receiver that continues through 2 GHz without a coverage gap.
“Better” still depends on the signal and installation. The RSP1B’s frequency range does not guarantee stronger reception than a V4 at a particular station. Antenna design, grounding, local noise, gain, software settings and external filters can outweigh nominal coverage.
Why the RSP1B is attractive for wideband monitoring
The RSP1B can monitor up to 10 MHz of spectrum at once, giving a substantially wider view than the V4’s stable 2.56 MHz span. That helps when you need to see several channels, locate activity across a band, or follow a signal while retaining surrounding context. Its front end has 11 band filters plus switchable AM/FM and DAB notch filters, which can help manage strong broadcast signals before they overload later stages.
The published input limit is 0 dBm continuously and 10 dBm for a burst. Keep strong external signals below those limits; use attenuation or appropriate filtering when an outdoor antenna exposes the receiver to high-level transmitters.
Price and availability caveat
The SDRplay product page reviewed in 2026 listed the RSP1B at £105.80 ex. VAT (approximately US$139.98) and marked it out of stock, with availability expected by the end of October. That is a region-specific, time-sensitive listing rather than a permanent price or stock promise. Confirm the current price, tax and delivery status for your country before ordering.
Rank #2
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Can HackRF transmit?
Half-duplex TX/RX from 1 MHz to 6 GHz
Yes. HackRF One is the only transceiver in this comparison. Its documentation specifies operation from 1 MHz to 6 GHz, with half-duplex transmission or reception rather than simultaneous full-duplex operation. It uses 8-bit resolution, USB power and a 50-ohm SMA antenna connector. Supported quadrature sample rates are 2–20 Msps.
Half-duplex means your application switches between sending and receiving. It is suitable for many development, test, education and protocol experiments, but it is not equivalent to a radio that can continuously transmit and receive on separate paths at the same time.
Transmit power changes with frequency
Do not treat HackRF as a uniform-power 6 GHz transmitter. The documentation lists typical maximum output from roughly 5–15 dBm through much of the lower-frequency range, falling to about −10 to 0 dBm from 4–6 GHz. Actual output is frequency-dependent, and cable, connector and filter losses reduce the power delivered to an antenna. Use the appropriate attenuation, filtering, shielding and power measurement for the experiment.
Legal and hardware safeguards
- Transmit only on frequencies, modes and power levels permitted by the regulations where you are located.
- Use a dummy load, attenuator or screened setup when testing a signal that does not need to radiate.
- Filter harmonics and out-of-band energy, and verify the antenna, connectors and amplifier are rated for the band.
- Never connect a powered transmitter output directly to another receiver input without suitable attenuation and protection.
The manufacturer notes that exact detection performance for a particular application must be measured; modulation, frequency, software, configuration and the required error target all change the result. External antennas, amplifiers and filters can significantly improve a system, but they can also overload the receiver if gain is excessive.
Which SDR works for 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz signals?
2.4 GHz
HackRF One is the choice among these three because its continuous range extends to 6 GHz. The RTL-SDR Blog V4 stops at 1.766 GHz, and the SDRplay RSP1B stops at 2 GHz, so neither reaches the 2.4 GHz band. This applies to both receive and transmit experiments: only HackRF has the stated tuning coverage, and only HackRF can transmit.
5.8 GHz
For 5.8 GHz, HackRF remains the only matching device. It covers the band within its 1–6 GHz specification, although the lower typical transmit power in the 4–6 GHz segment and any cable or filter loss should be considered. The two receive-only devices are outside their specified ranges.
Bandwidth is separate from frequency ceiling
Reaching a band does not tell you how much of it appears on screen at once. HackRF’s 2–20 Msps sample-rate range supports wider captures than the V4’s stable 2.56 MHz figure, while the RSP1B’s published view is up to 10 MHz. The useful span for a particular modulation also depends on sample format, decimation, computer performance and software configuration.
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RTL-SDR Blog V4: regional input paths and a notch option
The V4 uses triplexed HF/VHF/UHF input filtering and a switchable notch filter. These features help separate broad frequency regions and suppress selected strong interferers, but they do not turn the dongle into a laboratory-grade preselector. An antenna receiving powerful nearby stations can still require an external band-pass filter or attenuator.
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SDRplay RSP1B: more built-in preselection
Eleven band filters, plus switchable AM/FM and DAB notch filters, give the RSP1B more documented front-end filtering than the other two devices in this comparison. That is particularly useful with wideband antennas in areas dominated by strong broadcast transmitters. The 0 dBm continuous input limit remains the boundary to respect, regardless of how many filters are enabled.
HackRF One: plan the external signal chain
HackRF’s key advantage is coverage and transmission, not a promise of universal overload immunity. For a real installation, select an antenna for the target band, add a band-pass or harmonic filter where needed, and use attenuation to keep input and output levels controlled. The correct chain depends on the signal, nearby transmitters and whether you are receiving or transmitting.
Choosing by frequency and task
Below 500 kHz
Choose the RSP1B. It is the only model here specified down to 1 kHz. The V4 begins at 500 kHz, and HackRF begins at 1 MHz.
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500 kHz–1.766 GHz, receive only
Choose the V4 when cost and simple monitoring matter and a 2.56 MHz stable span is adequate. Choose the RSP1B instead when you want up to 10 MHz visible spectrum, continuous coverage through 2 GHz or its additional filtering.
1.766–2 GHz, receive only
The RSP1B is the only one of these three whose stated range continues through this interval. The V4 ends at 1.766 GHz.
2–6 GHz
Choose HackRF One. The RSP1B ends at 2 GHz, so even frequencies just above that boundary are outside its specification. HackRF is also the only model suitable for lawful transmission in this range.
GNU Radio or other transmit development
Choose HackRF when your project requires a controllable transmitter as well as a receiver. Its half-duplex design, 2–20 Msps rates and 1–6 GHz coverage make it the development-oriented option here. Build the test setup around legal limits, attenuation and filtering rather than connecting an experimental signal directly to an antenna.
Frequency-planning examples
A project centered at 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz or 1.2 GHz falls inside both receive-only products’ published ranges, so bandwidth, filtering, antenna choice and price become the deciding factors. A signal at 1.8 GHz is inside the RSP1B range but outside the V4 range. A 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz project immediately requires HackRF One from this shortlist. A long-wave experiment at 100 kHz rules out both the V4 and HackRF because their lower limits are 500 kHz and 1 MHz respectively.
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These boundary checks prevent a common buying mistake: selecting a device because it handles a familiar band, then discovering that a second project sits just above its ceiling or below its floor. Write the actual minimum and maximum frequencies, including any harmonics or adjacent channels you must observe, before comparing prices.
Bandwidth, sample rate and computer load
“Frequency range” describes where the local oscillator can tune; it does not describe the width of the digital window captured around that tune point. The V4’s 2.56 MHz stable span is suitable for a focused channel group, but its 3.2 MHz setting may drop samples. The RSP1B’s up-to-10 MHz view is useful for surveying a larger block, while HackRF’s 2–20 Msps settings offer flexibility when a project needs broad captures or signal-generation experiments.
Use the smallest span that contains the signal and the context you need. Wider sampling creates more USB traffic and processing work, and software may trade span against decimation, resolution or stability. A fast computer cannot extend a device beyond its hardware tuning range, and a wide display cannot compensate for an antenna that does not work at the target frequency.
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Accessories and installation requirements
All three radios need an antenna and a suitable coaxial path. Use an antenna designed for the band rather than assuming a supplied whip is equally effective from kilohertz to gigahertz. Keep cable runs short when loss matters, and account for connector and filter losses, especially near 5.8 GHz.
The V4 can supply 4.5 V through its software-switchable bias tee, but only enable it with compatible powered hardware. The RSP1B and HackRF are USB-powered; the V4 is typically listed at 250–270 mA, so an unpowered hub may be marginal when several dongles or accessories are attached. An LNA can help a weak-signal system, but placing gain ahead of strong local transmitters can cause overload. Add attenuation or a band-pass filter when the input environment is crowded.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing tuning with decoding: a device may tune a carrier without having the bandwidth, antenna or software support needed to decode it.
- Assuming the maximum span is always stable: the V4’s 3.2 MHz figure explicitly allows drops.
- Ignoring input limits: the RSP1B is rated for 0 dBm continuously and 10 dBm in a burst; external attenuation may be essential.
- Expecting full duplex from HackRF: it switches between transmit and receive.
- Forgetting losses at high frequency: coax, adapters and filters can materially reduce a 4–6 GHz signal.
- Using a bias tee casually: voltage on the antenna port can damage incompatible accessories.
- Comparing price without availability: VAT, shipping and regional stock can change the total cost.
A practical buying decision
- Write down the lowest and highest frequencies. If the highest value exceeds 1.766 GHz, remove the V4 from consideration. If it exceeds 2 GHz, remove the RSP1B as well. If the lowest value is below 500 kHz, the V4 cannot cover it; below 1 MHz, HackRF cannot cover it.
- Mark receive-only or transmit/receive. Any transmission requirement selects HackRF from this set. For receive-only work, continue to the bandwidth and filtering questions.
- Choose the required view width. A 2.56 MHz stable span favors the V4 for narrow monitoring. Up to 10 MHz visible spectrum favors the RSP1B, while HackRF offers 2–20 Msps sampling for projects that need its wider capture options.
- Check strong-signal conditions. Near broadcast towers or with a large outdoor antenna, the RSP1B’s 11 filters, the V4’s regional filtering and notch option, or an external filter may be more important than the headline tuning range.
- Plan the antenna and accessories. Match the antenna and coax to the band. Add a suitable LNA only when the noise and overload budget supports it, and use attenuation when strong signals threaten the input.
- Confirm current supply and regional cost. Prices, VAT, shipping and stock change. The RSP1B listing cited above was both region-specific and temporarily out of stock.
What frequency coverage does not tell you
A receiver that tunes a frequency is not guaranteed to decode every signal there. Sensitivity depends on noise figure, antenna efficiency, feed-line loss, gain distribution, interference, modulation, demodulator software and the error rate you can tolerate. HackRF’s own documentation specifically says an exact answer for a particular detection application requires measurement. Treat the ranges in this article as compatibility limits, then validate the complete antenna-and-software setup for the signal you care about.
Bandwidth also has practical limits. A wide sample rate consumes more USB and computer resources, and an advertised maximum may involve trade-offs in resolution, stability or dropped samples. The V4’s 3.2 MHz figure is explicitly a with-drops ceiling, not its stable operating span. For every model, select the narrowest sample rate that contains the signal and the context you actually need.
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- What frequency range does RTL-SDR cover? 500 kHz–1.766 GHz, receive only; 2.56 MHz stable bandwidth.
- Can HackRF transmit? Yes, from 1 MHz to 6 GHz, half-duplex, with frequency-dependent output power.
- Is SDRplay better than RTL-SDR for HF? It is the broader choice when you need continuous coverage down to 1 kHz or a wider spectrum view; neither range specification alone proves better sensitivity.
- Which works for 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz? HackRF One; both bands are outside the V4 and RSP1B ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the RTL-SDR Blog V4 transmit?
No. It is receive-only and covers 500 kHz to 1.766 GHz.
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Does the SDRplay RSP1B reach below the AM broadcast band?
Yes. Its specified continuous coverage starts at 1 kHz, so it reaches long-wave and other signals below 500 kHz.
Which device covers 1.8 GHz?
The SDRplay RSP1B and HackRF One do; the RTL-SDR Blog V4 stops at 1.766 GHz.
Can I monitor 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with the RSP1B?
No. The RSP1B is specified to 2 GHz. HackRF One is the matching device here because it tunes continuously to 6 GHz.
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No. HackRF One is half-duplex, so an application switches between transmitting and receiving.
Does a wider bandwidth automatically mean better reception?
No. Wider views show more spectrum but increase data and processing demands. Antenna, gain, interference, filtering and software still determine usable reception.
What should I add near a strong broadcast transmitter?
Use appropriate attenuation or an external band-pass filter, and take advantage of the V4 notch option or the RSP1B’s 11 band filters. Keep input levels within the device limits.
Is the listed RSP1B price guaranteed?
No. The cited £105.80 ex. VAT listing and out-of-stock status are region- and date-specific. Check current price, tax, shipping and availability before ordering.
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Pick the RTL-SDR Blog V4 for the lowest-cost receive-only work from 500 kHz to 1.766 GHz. Pick the SDRplay RSP1B when you need continuous 1 kHz–2 GHz coverage, up to 10 MHz visible spectrum and more built-in filtering. Pick HackRF One when your project reaches 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz, needs 1–6 GHz coverage, or requires lawful half-duplex transmission. Then size the antenna, filtering, attenuation, software and computer around the actual signal.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
