Check your hardware

First you should make sure that your rtl-sdr stick is properly connected to your c.h.i.p and that your power source is suitable to drive the chip plus the rtl-sdr. Some of them are consuming more than 500mA (which is out of spec for USB2.0) which can cause the system crashing if under load.

Connect your rtl-sdr to the c.h.i.p, login and run lsusb -t. You should see an output like the one on the screenshot below. The last two lines are the rtl-sdr stick.

Install rtl-sdr

For convenience, I’ll use the rtl-sdr package. If you plan to do a source install you can have a look in one of my earlier posts.

To install the RTL-SDR tools in a chip, just run sudo apt-get install rtl-sdr.

Add udev rules

This is an important step if you plan to use your rtl-sdr as a non-root user (which is a good idea)

Step 1: Add a new rules file – sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/10-rtl-sdr.rules
Step 2: Paste the content of the listing below into the file and save.
Step 3: Reload the configuration – sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
Step 4: Replug the rtl-sdr stick

#
# Copyright 2012-2013 Osmocom rtl-sdr project
#
# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
# (at your option) any later version.
#
# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
# GNU General Public License for more details.
#
# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
#

# original RTL2832U vid/pid (hama nano, for example)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2832", MODE:="0666"

# RTL2832U OEM vid/pid, e.g. ezcap EzTV668 (E4000), Newsky TV28T (E4000/R820T) etc.
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2838", MODE:="0666"

# DigitalNow Quad DVB-T PCI-E card (4x FC0012?)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0413", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6680", MODE:="0666"

# Leadtek WinFast DTV Dongle mini D (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0413", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6f0f", MODE:="0666"

# Genius TVGo DVB-T03 USB dongle (Ver. B)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0458", ATTRS{idProduct}=="707f", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Cinergy T Stick Black (rev 1) (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00a9", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec NOXON rev 1 (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b3", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Deutschlandradio DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b4", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec NOXON DAB Stick - Radio Energy (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b5", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Media Broadcast DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b7", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec BR DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b8", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec WDR DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b9", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec MuellerVerlag DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00c0", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Fraunhofer DAB Stick (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00c6", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Cinergy T Stick RC (Rev.3) (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00d3", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec T Stick PLUS (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00d7", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec NOXON rev 2 (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00e0", MODE:="0666"

# PixelView PV-DT235U(RN) (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1554", ATTRS{idProduct}=="5020", MODE:="0666"

# Astrometa DVB-T/DVB-T2 (R828D)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="15f4", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0131", MODE:="0666"

# Compro Videomate U620F (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0620", MODE:="0666"

# Compro Videomate U650F (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0650", MODE:="0666"

# Compro Videomate U680F (E4000)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0680", MODE:="0666"

# GIGABYTE GT-U7300 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d393", MODE:="0666"

# DIKOM USB-DVBT HD
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d394", MODE:="0666"

# Peak 102569AGPK (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d395", MODE:="0666"

# KWorld KW-UB450-T USB DVB-T Pico TV (TUA9001)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d397", MODE:="0666"

# Zaapa ZT-MINDVBZP (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d398", MODE:="0666"

# SVEON STV20 DVB-T USB & FM (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d39d", MODE:="0666"

# Twintech UT-40 (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3a4", MODE:="0666"

# ASUS U3100MINI_PLUS_V2 (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3a8", MODE:="0666"

# SVEON STV27 DVB-T USB & FM (FC0013)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3af", MODE:="0666"

# SVEON STV21 DVB-T USB & FM
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3b0", MODE:="0666"

# Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (Logilink VG0002A) (FC2580)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1101", MODE:="0666"

# Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (MSI DigiVox mini II V3.0)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1102", MODE:="0666"

# Dexatek DK 5217 DVB-T Dongle (FC2580)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1103", MODE:="0666"

# MSI DigiVox Micro HD (FC2580)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1104", MODE:="0666"

# Sweex DVB-T USB (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="a803", MODE:="0666"

# GTek T803 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="b803", MODE:="0666"

# Lifeview LV5TDeluxe (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="c803", MODE:="0666"

# MyGica TD312 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d286", MODE:="0666"

# PROlectrix DV107669 (FC0012)
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d803", MODE:="0666"

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# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify

# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by

# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or

# (at your option) any later version.

# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,

# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of

# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the

# GNU General Public License for more details.

# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License

# along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

# original RTL2832U vid/pid (hama nano, for example)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2832", MODE:="0666"

# RTL2832U OEM vid/pid, e.g. ezcap EzTV668 (E4000), Newsky TV28T (E4000/R820T) etc.

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bda", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2838", MODE:="0666"

# DigitalNow Quad DVB-T PCI-E card (4x FC0012?)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0413", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6680", MODE:="0666"

# Leadtek WinFast DTV Dongle mini D (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0413", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6f0f", MODE:="0666"

# Genius TVGo DVB-T03 USB dongle (Ver. B)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0458", ATTRS{idProduct}=="707f", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Cinergy T Stick Black (rev 1) (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00a9", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec NOXON rev 1 (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b3", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Deutschlandradio DAB Stick (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b4", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec NOXON DAB Stick - Radio Energy (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b5", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Media Broadcast DAB Stick (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b7", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec BR DAB Stick (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b8", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec WDR DAB Stick (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00b9", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec MuellerVerlag DAB Stick (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00c0", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Fraunhofer DAB Stick (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00c6", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec Cinergy T Stick RC (Rev.3) (E4000)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00d3", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec T Stick PLUS (E4000)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00d7", MODE:="0666"

# Terratec NOXON rev 2 (E4000)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0ccd", ATTRS{idProduct}=="00e0", MODE:="0666"

# PixelView PV-DT235U(RN) (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1554", ATTRS{idProduct}=="5020", MODE:="0666"

# Astrometa DVB-T/DVB-T2 (R828D)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="15f4", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0131", MODE:="0666"

# Compro Videomate U620F (E4000)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0620", MODE:="0666"

# Compro Videomate U650F (E4000)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0650", MODE:="0666"

# Compro Videomate U680F (E4000)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="185b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0680", MODE:="0666"

# GIGABYTE GT-U7300 (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d393", MODE:="0666"

# DIKOM USB-DVBT HD

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d394", MODE:="0666"

# Peak 102569AGPK (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d395", MODE:="0666"

# KWorld KW-UB450-T USB DVB-T Pico TV (TUA9001)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d397", MODE:="0666"

# Zaapa ZT-MINDVBZP (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d398", MODE:="0666"

# SVEON STV20 DVB-T USB & FM (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d39d", MODE:="0666"

# Twintech UT-40 (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3a4", MODE:="0666"

# ASUS U3100MINI_PLUS_V2 (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3a8", MODE:="0666"

# SVEON STV27 DVB-T USB & FM (FC0013)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3af", MODE:="0666"

# SVEON STV21 DVB-T USB & FM

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1b80", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d3b0", MODE:="0666"

# Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (Logilink VG0002A) (FC2580)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1101", MODE:="0666"

# Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (MSI DigiVox mini II V3.0)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1102", MODE:="0666"

# Dexatek DK 5217 DVB-T Dongle (FC2580)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1103", MODE:="0666"

# MSI DigiVox Micro HD (FC2580)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1d19", ATTRS{idProduct}=="1104", MODE:="0666"

# Sweex DVB-T USB (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="a803", MODE:="0666"

# GTek T803 (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="b803", MODE:="0666"

# Lifeview LV5TDeluxe (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="c803", MODE:="0666"

# MyGica TD312 (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d286", MODE:="0666"

# PROlectrix DV107669 (FC0012)

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1f4d", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d803", MODE:="0666"

Test the SDR

Now it’s time to test the rtl-sdr. Run rtl_test and observe the output. If you don’t see any errors beside probably one at the end stating some bytes are lost, you’re good to go.

Bonus: Receive FM radio

For a real test, you can plug-in your headphones to the c.h.i.p and receive one of your local radio stations.

Run rtl_fm -M fm -f -r 32k -s 170k -A fast -E deemp - | aplay -t raw -r 32k -c 1 -f S16_LE

Frequency is in Hz. That means if your station is on 97.7 Mhz you have to put in 97700000 as value.