Your first receiver

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

1. Pick the radio

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

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 station you know is on air locally. The Device follows the channel on its own, so you do not need to tune the radio. See Tuning.

3. Listen

Start the Speaker. If it stays silent:

• Click the page once. Browsers block audio until you do.
• Turn squelch off on the channel.
• Check the channel marker sits on the station in the Scope.

Adjust the Device gain until the station stands clearly above the noise without clipping. More help: silent audio.

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. Everything saves on its own.

Next

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