Your first receiver

Listen to a local FM station with an RTL-SDR. You need the receiver, an antenna, and SDRmm installed.

1. Pick the radio

Attach the antenna and plug the RTL-SDR into the computer running the server. Open SDRmm.

A new installation starts with a Device wired to a Scope, and a Speaker. Pick your RTL-SDR on the Device node and set the rate to 2.4 MS/s.

Radio not listed? Press Check hardware on the Device node, or see RTL-SDR.

2. Add a WFM channel

WFM is broadcast FM. Press + Add, search for WFM, and add it. Wire it up:

Device iq   → WFM iq
WFM audio   → Speaker audio

Set the WFM dial to a local station. The Device follows the channel, so you never tune the radio itself. See Tuning.

3. Listen

Press play on the Speaker. Adjust the Device gain until the station stands clearly above the noise without clipping.

Silent? Drag the WFM squelch handle far left, and press Resume audio if the Speaker shows it. More in Troubleshooting.

4. Station name and text

Add a Readout and wire WFM events to it. It shows the RDS station name and radio text when the station sends them and the signal is strong enough.

5. Arrange

Select a node and press p to pin it to the Rack. Press v to switch between Patch and Rack. Changes save automatically.

Next

• Nodes and wires explains what you just built.
• Library → Templates sets up other receivers in one click.
• The decoder catalog lists every mode.