HB3YAQLucerne
NESDR SMArt v5
SDR
USB SDR covering 100 kHz–1750 MHz: Q-branch direct sampling for HF, a TCXO and an SMA antenna input.
At a glance
All specifications ↓- Modes
- Software-dependent demodulation; receive only
- Receive range
- 0.1–25 MHz direct (Q branch); 25–1750 MHz through tuner
- Antenna connector
- Female SMA, 50 Ω
- Power supply
- 5 V via USB; typically 300 mA, 270–330 mA per datasheet
- Dimensions, W × H × D
- 16.9 × 14.2 × 59.1 mm
The Nooelec NESDR SMArt v5 is a USB receiver covering 100 kHz to 1750 MHz. A computer provides the spectrum display, waterfall and demodulation. With suitable software, the same dongle can receive broadcast, shortwave, airband or amateur radio signals. The v5 generation extends reception into longwave and mediumwave without requiring a hardware modification.
Below 25 MHz, the receiver uses direct sampling through the Q branch. This mode is selected in the SDR application, and a suitable antenna is still required. From 25 to 1750 MHz, the tuner operates in quadrature mode. Nooelec also reports lower noise and fewer unwanted spectral lines compared with v4. For more demanding shortwave reception, the manufacturer continues to recommend an optional upconverter.
The narrow aluminium enclosure contains an internal heatsink. A temperature-compensated oscillator limits frequency deviation to a maximum of ±0.5 ppm. Antennas connect to a 50-ohm female SMA socket; USB-A carries data and power. The SMArt v5 has no integrated bias tee for powering active antennas. Nooelec lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Android support; suitable drivers and an application are required for the chosen system.
Features & equipment
- 100 kHz–25 MHz with Q-branch direct sampling; 25–1750 MHz through the tuner.
- RTL2832U with R820T2/R860 tuner according to the current product description.
- TCXO with a maximum frequency deviation of ±0.5 ppm.
- Narrow aluminium enclosure with an internal heatsink and female SMA connector.
Specifications
Reception and signal processing
- Generation
- NESDR SMArt v5
- Receive range
- 0.1–25 MHz direct (Q branch); 25–1750 MHz through tuner
- Chipset
- RTL2832U + R820T2/R860
- Instantaneous bandwidth
- 0.25–3.2 MHz; typically 2.4 MHz
- Sample rate
- Up to 3.2 MS/s according to the datasheet
- Digitisation
- Datasheet revision 1: 7-bit ADC
- Tuner gain
- 0–49.6 dB, adjustable
- Modes
- Software-dependent demodulation; receive only
- Noise figure at 1 GHz
- Typically 10 dB
- Reference
- TCXO, maximum ±0.5 ppm
- Phase noise
- −138 / −150 / −152 dBc/Hz at 1 / 10 / 100 kHz offset
Connections, power and enclosure
- Antenna connector
- Female SMA, 50 Ω
- Computer connection
- USB Type A
- Power supply
- 5 V via USB; typically 300 mA, 270–330 mA per datasheet
- Maximum RF input power
- +10 dBm
- Bias tee
- Not integrated
- Dimensions, W × H × D
- 16.9 × 14.2 × 59.1 mm
- Weight
- 34 g
- Enclosure
- Aluminium, internal heatsink
- ESD protection per datasheet
- 23 kV, IEC 6100-4
- Manufacturer SKU
- 100701 (receiver); 100700 (antenna bundle)
Model notes
The owner confirmed the v5 version. According to Nooelec, a v5 marking underneath distinguishes it from older generations.
The datasheet’s electrical table places the direct-sampling/tuner crossover at 25 MHz. Its simplified block diagram uses inconsistent labels; the table values are used here. The specific tuner chip in this individual receiver has not been separately verified.
Maximum bandwidth is a manufacturer specification. The practical sample rate also depends on the computer and USB connection. An antenna bundle or upconverter is not assumed to be owned.
Documents & sources
- Nooelec – NESDR SMArt v5 product page (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Nooelec – v5 datasheet, revision 1, 4 October 2022 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Nooelec – v5 FAQ and Q-branch setup (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Nooelec – SMArt series model comparison (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
The ideas behind the equipment.
A closer look.
Hardware features describe the equipment. They do not establish personal transmitting privileges or current operation.
Open product source ↗
Reviewed 14 October 2026