---
syntax: markdown
tags: [tldr, common]
source: https://github.com/tldr-pages/tldr.git
---
# rtl_sdr

> Raw data recorder for RTL-SDR receivers.
> Data is encoded using I/Q sampling (aka quadrature sampling).
> More information: <https://osmocom.org/projects/rtl-sdr/wiki/Rtl-sdr>.

- Save RAW data from a frequency (specified in Hz) to a file:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} {{path/to/file}}`

- Pipe data to another program:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} - | {{aplay}}`

- Read a specified number of samples:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -n {{20}} -`

- Specify the sample rate in Hz (ranges 225001-300000 and 900001-3200000):

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -s {{2400000}} -`

- Specify the device by its index:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -d {{0}} -`

- Specify the gain:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -g {{20}} -`

- Specify the output block size:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -b {{9999999}} -`

- Use synchronous output:

`rtl_sdr -f {{100000000}} -S -`
