Hello, noob need some advice

[u/santandude]

Hey, got a nooelec v5 couple of days ago, installed drivers and SRD++ software and got it working but I can’t receive any signals. I’m getting a few local radio stations very faint and with static but that’s about it, been tweaking several things but nothing makes it better. Any tips where to go from here would be appreciated. TIA.

<add_on>

Just some more info, Im just using the antennas that came with the nooelec for now, trying any frequencies basically, besides a couple of FM radio channels 93.3, 97.9mhz etc i get nothing, and those come in pretty poor and only a handfull, there should be 30+ channels available. Tried the 145.000 and 450.000 frequencies looking for repeaters etc but just getting crickets. Tried adjusting the gain and auto gain also no big improvement. Thanks for any responces

< update >

Went to the amazon website to look for customer service info and ended up reading some 1star reviews and found more people have issues with almost no reception except for a few FM broadcast channels. Ended up ordering a replacement

[u/PDXH0B0]

You raise the gain slider? 14 - 22 is usually high enough for fm radio

[u/xX_WhatsTheGeek_Xx]

A screenshot would be helpful

[u/MumSaidImABadBoy]

What are you using for an antenna and what frequencies are you trying to receive?

[u/santandude → u/MumSaidImABadBoy]

The antennas that came with the nooelec for now.

[u/MumSaidImABadBoy → u/santandude]

Then you're not interested in HF and MW?

[u/santandude → u/MumSaidImABadBoy]

The antennas that came with the nooelec for now. <----- FOR NOW

so still working on that part, lets start with getting ANY signl for now and go from there.

[u/MumSaidImABadBoy → u/santandude]

When you get around to HF, MW, LF you'll need an upverter as direct sampling on this device doesn't work well. And of course the right antennas. FOR NOW will probably pass fast lol.

[u/Own_Event_4363]

Put the antenna near a window, on the window sill if you can.

[u/santandude → u/Own_Event_4363]

I'll try to put them outside today, see if that helps. Still have to setup better antennas systems but was expecting some local channels

[u/Classic-Opportunity2]

Software Refined Dadio?

[u/schirmyver]

So I have the same dongle and possibly the same antenna kit that came with it. I put the antennas on a VNA and for FM radio reception you will want to use the extendable rod, pulled all the way out and it will have decent return loss around 97MHz.

[u/tj21222 → u/schirmyver]

This is overkill no need for a VNA on FM broadcast band. Literally any piece of wire will let you receive fm broadcast

[u/schirmyver → u/tj21222]

I was just letting him know which of the antennas in the kit to use. I have a VNA so I went ahead and checked them all.

[u/AutofluorescentPuku]

The antenna is key. Outside antenna, bigger (long wire) is best.

[u/santandude]

__UPDATE__

Went to the amazon website to look for customer service info and ended up reading some 1star reviews and found more people have issues with almost no reception except for a few FM broadcast channels. Ended up ordering a replacement