Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Gqrx is free, open-source software that turns a compatible software-defined radio (SDR) device into a computer-based receiver. It can demodulate AM, FM and SSB signals for listening, or display signals in a spectrum view. Gqrx is not an SDR dongle: you need compatible hardware, drivers and the application to receive live radio.
What Gqrx does
Gqrx is an open-source SDR receiver implemented with GNU Radio and the Qt GUI toolkit, as described in the project README. It uses GNU Radio, Qt and gr-osmosdr to connect its interface to supported SDR hardware.
Use it to listen to signals, inspect I/Q data, or monitor a portion of the radio spectrum. Its built-in modes include AM, FM and SSB demodulation with audio output, as well as an FFT-only mode for viewing signal energy across frequencies. Network-socket hooks let external applications interact with Gqrx.
The frequencies you can receive, the spectrum width you can inspect at once and overall performance depend on the connected SDR and its driver stack—not on Gqrx alone. Gqrx is documented here as receiver software; installing it does not by itself enable radio transmission.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes 1x RTL-SDR Blog brand R860 RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO HF Bias Tee SMA Dongle (V3) (Dongle Only)
- Several improvements over other brands including use of the R860 tuner, improved component tolerances, a 1 PPM temperature compensated oscillator (TCXO), SMA F connector, aluminum shielded case with thermal pad for passive cooling, and an activatable bias tee circuit.
- Can tune from 500 kHz to 1.7 GHz and has up to 3.2 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth (2.4 MHz stable). (HF reception below 24 MHz in direct sampling mode with reduced performance). Please note RTL-SDR dongles are RX only.
- Please follow the quickstart guide linked in the included the manual for installation of the drivers and free software. Please feel free to contact us via Amazon messaging for technical support - we're happy to help
What hardware works with Gqrx?
Gqrx supports devices through gr-osmosdr, including RTL-SDR, Airspy, HackRF, BladeRF, RFSpace and USRP hardware. SoapySDR-compatible devices are also listed on the supported-hardware page. Exact compatibility can depend on the device model, operating system and installed drivers.
| Hardware | Why consider it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| RTL-SDR USB dongle | A straightforward, generally low-cost way to start receiving with Gqrx. | Confirm the dongle model, driver support and frequency coverage for the signals you want to receive. |
| Airspy | An alternative receiver family for users looking beyond an entry-level dongle. | Verify the exact model’s frequency coverage, driver and operating-system support. |
| HackRF | Wideband hardware for more advanced SDR experimentation. | Check the exact model and driver. Some HackRF capabilities involve transmission; Gqrx’s documented role here is receiving, and transmitting requires suitable software and compliance with applicable laws. |
These devices differ by model, so a single frequency range or sample-rate figure would be misleading. Compare the specific model’s published coverage, maximum sample rate (which affects the spectrum width available at one time), driver and operating-system support, and whether it can transmit. Gqrx does not make a receive-only device transmit-capable.
Rank #2
- Turn your computer, phone or tablet into a radio scanner/ham radio receiver that can receive nearly all RF signals! Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android
- NESDR SMArt RTL-SDR v5 can be used for the reception of broadcast AM radio, broadcast FM radio, shortwave radio, CB radio, public security radio, trunked radio, air traffic control, ACARS (plane-ground communications), ADS-B (plane tracking), AIS (ship tracking), POCSAG (pagers), NOAA and GOES weather satellites (weather images), weather balloons, radiosondes, DAB radio, DVB-T video, Inmarsat, Iridium, and so much more!
- The best-performing low-cost RTL-SDR available anywhere! Compared with RTL-SDR v3, HF SNR is improved by up to 15dB, VHF & UHF SNR is improved by up to 6dB, tuning accuracy is improved by an average of 4x, and the frequency range is expanded all the way down to 100kHz
- v5 has a frequency capability of 100kHz to 1.75GHz and up to 3.2MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. HF reception below 25MHz is accomplished with direct sampling and requires a suitable antenna. We recommend using a Balun One Nine to make a DIY long wire or dipole antenna (sold separately, product ID B08HGSYB7R or B00R09WHT6)
- Though the direct sampling implementation of NESDR SMArt v5 is much better than any other RTL-SDR, we still recommend using an upconverter like the Ham It Up for a more fulfilling HF experience (sold separately, product ID B076CYK8XZ)
How to install Gqrx
Choose an installation route for your operating system. The project README describes Linux and macOS support and identifies radioconda as a Windows distribution route.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Linux: Install Gqrx through your distribution’s repositories if available, or build it from source.
- macOS: Use a project binary or source option, MacPorts, or Homebrew.
- Windows: The project README points to radioconda as a distribution route.
Building from source requires the GNU Radio runtime and signal-processing components, gr-osmosdr, Qt 5 or Qt 6, CMake, and the driver stack for the SDR device you plan to use. Those dependencies make a packaged installation the simpler starting point when one is available for your system.
Rank #3
- Turn your computer, phone or tablet into a radio scanner/ham radio receiver that can receive nearly all RF signals! Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android
- NESDR SMArt RTL-SDR v5 can be used for the reception of broadcast AM radio, broadcast FM radio, shortwave radio, CB radio, public security radio, trunked radio, air traffic control, ACARS (plane-ground communications), ADS-B (plane tracking), AIS (ship tracking), POCSAG (pagers), NOAA and GOES weather satellites (weather images), weather balloons, radiosondes, DAB radio, DVB-T video, Inmarsat, Iridium, and so much more!
- The best-performing low-cost RTL-SDR available anywhere! Compared with RTL-SDR v3, HF SNR is improved by up to 15dB, VHF & UHF SNR is improved by up to 6dB, tuning accuracy is improved by an average of 4x, and the frequency range is expanded all the way down to 100kHz
- v5 has a frequency capability of 100kHz to 1.75GHz and up to 3.2MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. HF reception below 25MHz is accomplished with direct sampling and requires a suitable antenna. We recommend using a Balun One Nine to make a DIY long wire or dipole antenna (sold separately, product ID B08HGSYB7R or B00R09WHT6)
- Though the direct sampling implementation of NESDR SMArt v5 is much better than any other RTL-SDR, we still recommend using an upconverter like the Ham It Up for a more fulfilling HF experience (sold separately, product ID B076CYK8XZ)
First launch and device setup
- Connect a supported SDR device and install its required drivers.
- Start Gqrx. Its first launch opens a device-configuration dialog; connected, supported hardware should be discovered automatically.
- Select the detected device and configure it for your setup, then start the receiver to tune and choose a demodulation mode.
The project recommends running GNU Radio’s volk_profile utility before using Gqrx. It enables processor-specific optimizations; it is a setup recommendation, not a hardware requirement.
Why Gqrx may not detect an RTL-SDR
An empty device list usually points to device access or the driver stack rather than to an AM/FM/SSB setting. Work through these checks:
Rank #4
- Included: Nooelec USB dongle & antenna
- RTL2832U interface IC & R820T tuner IC on USB dongle
- These are custom USB devices tuned for SDR and include much better components than generics
- Full 1-year warranty & installation support available!
- Confirm the connection: Check that the dongle is connected and recognized by the operating system.
- Check the SDR driver: Install or configure the driver required for the specific RTL-SDR and Gqrx’s gr-osmosdr connection.
- On Linux, check udev rules: Missing or incorrect rules can prevent a normal user from accessing the USB device.
- Check for a conflicting kernel driver: A kernel driver claiming the USB device can keep Gqrx from accessing it.
- Restart Gqrx after correcting access: Reopen the device-configuration dialog and check whether the dongle appears.
When Gqrx is a good fit
- Listening: Choose an appropriate AM, FM or SSB mode for the signal and hardware you have.
- Basic spectrum monitoring: Use the FFT display to inspect signals within the span the SDR can capture at its current sample rate.
- Further SDR experimentation: Use I/Q processing or network-socket hooks with external applications when your setup supports them.
Gqrx is a receiver application, not a substitute for checking local radio rules or for verifying that a particular SDR covers the frequencies and modes you need. The project’s official website and supported-hardware list are useful starting points for device-specific checks.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A full, wide-band RF solution for those interested in getting started with software defined radio and with a keen interest in HF bands
- The NESDR SMArt HF Bundle utilizes a well-designed upconverter--the Ham It Up--to receive HF, NOT direct sampling hacks. This results in a vastly different HF experience--much better performance, and no loss of gain controls
- Included is a Ham It Up v1.3 upconverter, installed in a custom black aluminum enclosure; an NESDR SMArt RTL-SDR, 3 antennas, an impedance matching balun for longwire and dipole antennas, and interconnect adapters
- Proudly manufactured by NooElec in the USA and Canada, with a full 2 year product warranty on all bundle components and 24/7 technical support availability. Please contact our support team any time if you have questions!
- Amazon-exclusive bundle! Only available for a limited time
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.
