NooElec Ham It Up Plus v2 - Extend The Range of Your RTL-SDR, NESDR or Other Radio Down to 300Hz. HF/MF/LF/VLF/ULF Upconverter and Panadapter w/TCXO & Switchable LNA/Passthrough Options

It's always a good experience when a product is ordered, and actually does what is claimed in the ad text, so I like to give credit where it's due. Yes, this upconverter costs a bit more than some of the mystery "clones" one might find on eBay, but as the saying goes, you do get what you pay for. My main ambition was to catch radio traffic in some of the HAM bands, but also in AM broadcast, SW, and so on. As for the Ham it Up unit, it took only a few minutes to get it set up and running. It's a very simple procedure (provided you already have your RTL-SDR or similar device installed and running), but no worries, there are numerous YouTube videos which give very good step by step instructions. The main criteria to know about is setting the tuning offset of your software to -125 MHz, to compensate for the upconverter. It's purpose is to compensate for the tuning limits of your RTL-SDR device, which cannot reach below 25 MHz. If not familiar, I would strongly suggest using the HDR# software, as this has a huge user base and lots of blog sites and YT videos one can refer to. You can also use HDSDR with similar results, I have used both. Aside from setting up the tuning parameters and some other details in the software, your biggest variable will likely be antennas. It's good to have several different antennas to select from, depending on what you're tuning in on, but even more importantly is where the antennas are and how they're positioned. This you'll just have to experiment around a bit with. But as for the NooElec Ham it UP itself, no complaints, does exactly what it should do. My only suggestion is to have an extra USB power cord handy (I run my USB power from an AC powered USB extension port), as the device does not ship with one.

Despite the Amazon driver throwing the package at my front door like a Frisby and nothing but a amazon paper bag as protection (not a single layer of bubble wrap or cushioning), the unit is working great. My Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 SDR receive seems to be just as sensitive as my FT-2000 on the low bands now, 100% better than without the upconverter below 28MHz. Working great with SDR++, SDRSharp, and SDRUno so far. SDR++ has a preset for ham it up, the others you manually set the offset. Highly recommended.

UPDATE 11/26/2025 Noeelec ?! What could have happened to the quality control of their products? The photos speak for themselves. I bought the second version of their Up Converter out of curiosity, and it was a huge mistake. Not only were there loose screws in the package, but also a switch that will have a short life because it doesn't seem to release the electrical contact properly. Nooelec took charge of the problem and was serious and professional in solving the problem. My rating goes to 5 stars without any doubt. The unit, which this time was replaced directly by Nooelec, is now in perfect mechanical and electrical condition, and I can honestly tell you that it works perfectly. Nooelec, serious and professional as I have always been accustomed to. If you have any problems please contact them directly, there is something that escapes the quality control post Nooelec. The prof comes in a simple clear plastic bag which offers no mechanical protection. The metal case arrived marked with scratched surface treatment because the matching sma connectors are in the same plastic bag touching the metal case . Add that Amazon shipped the product in a simple plastic bag, this increases the chances that the product will be damaged during transport . Considering the price, it is necessary to make a packaging box. It works but the overall quality can be improved.

The upconverter works as described - worth getting the fully enclosed version unless you are planning on adding additional modifications yourself. The enclosure is aluminum, sturdy, and could be easily disassembled if you wanted to get in there. The switch has good tactile feedback. The SMA connectors are quality. BUT... here's the thing. This little guy needs USB power from a Male USB type B cable. This cable is NOT INCLUDED with the item. As a HAM operator, I understand where NooElec is coming from - HAMs like to tinker, and supplying your own power for a device is common in the HAM world. However, in this case I strongly disagree with NooElec's decision to not include a power cable with the device - they cost pennies for companies to buy in bulk and supply with their products. It should absolutely come with a power cable because it cannot function without one. The description even says it comes "ready to use". Not true. It's like selling a car without wheels. Or getting into a canoe without a paddle. I am disgruntled. But it's a good piece of equipment otherwise.

As of April 2024, using a ~2017 NooElec NESDR Smart XTR SDR device with this ~2017 NooElec Ham It Up Plus v2, and finding very similar, if not the same results as when using an ~2019 AirSpy Discovery HF+ device! With the exception, the Nooelec hardware works with many more commonly known software than the AirSpy high frequency device. About the only difference, seemingly only cosmetic or looks, I found the NooElec high frequency setup to have a +10-20dB gain in comparison to the AirSpy Discovery HF+ device. (I'll further clarify this from my notes once the review is published, rather than writing from memory.) I was expecting a 10dB decrease with the Ham It Up, but found the opposite to be apparently true. As documented within prior AirSpy reviews, the AirSpy USB device likely just incorporates additional hardware filtering, resulting in a less than 10-20dB gain, or decreased signals and noise floor. No real difference when using the Nooelec hardware, once you lower the gain level by 10-20dB! Audible noise levels sound about the same, but some less ghosting. Weird... Had I known the performance would be extremely similar, and having access to more compatible and much more stable software with the Nooelec hardware, I would have never had purchased the more expensive AirSpy. Also seems to be no reviews documenting the comparisons between the two popular devices. PROS Same/similar performance as the later ~2019 AirSpy Discovery HF+ device. Can easily save yourself a $100, unless you desire the sleeker looking AirSpy Discovery HF+ device. 2) RTL-SDR and Nooelec are all well supported throughout most all popular operating systems. AirSpy developers (via mailing lists or forums) only support Windows' SDR++, with little support elsewhere, even though they say otherwise on their website. CONS The Nooelec high frequency device setup, requires connecting an RTL SDR USB device to the Ham It Up Plus V2 device. (eg. NooElec NESDR Smart XTR SDR USB device) Also requires a -125mHz offset, however most software nowadays is automatically configured upon detection. Really no big deal, for those already computer literate.

This thing works great! I use a RTL SDR dongle V4 with it. It gets the job done quite well! I need a better antenna than the long ground wire I am using. It gets pretty good reception even with that bad antenna.

My five-star review is based solely on the fantastic customer support provided by Nooelec. I had initially purchased a fully assembled Ham-it-up Plus, but as with many of projects, it sat for a couple months before I actually got around to using it. Unfortunately, I discovered the item was defective (it was short-circuiting or something similar, it was drawing too much current from the USB port causing the USB controller to shut down to protect itself until the device was unplugged.) This was WELL after the return period outlined by the seller and I thought I was pretty much S.O.L., so to speak. On the off-chance that I could maybe probe the components and fix it myself, I emailed Nooelec. After sending a few photos of the device and demonstrating the odd current-draw, the support team (thank you Danielle!) sent me a brand new replacement unit by their own volition! I was blown away by this level of customer support, and will continue to use Nooelec for my RF and component needs moving forward. The replacement board arrived a few short days later and works perfectly.

The UHF/VHF one works great but this is a dud. I tried with several antennas I own and nothing on 6m, 10m, 15m or 20 m for me with the switch set

Değişik bir kapı açtı. Ucuza HF Bandlarını dinlemek için kaliteli ve iyi yapılmış

This device is excellent. Paired with my NESDR Smart dongle it really has improved reception in the lower bands. Very happy!

以前は、100Mhzの基盤むき出しのものを使用していましたが、調子が悪くなったので買い換えました。 以前のものと比較すると、損失も少なく良好です。 またスルーさせるスイッチがついているのも、ケーブルの接続を変えずに済むので使い勝手が良いです。

Aun no le he sacado todo el provecho, pero funciona perfectamente y es un dispositivo imprescindible para recibir desde HF hasta VLF con tu receptor SDR.

When coupled with the E4000 based NooElec SMArTee SDR & BalUn provides an excellent HF communications receiver for less than £100 when attached to a Raspberry Pi 3B+ or 4B and HD monitor. Sensitivity is comparable to my old Kenwood HF transceiver. I also bought the the HF LNA module but this is effectively redundant as it doesn't improve overall performance (sensitivity to weak signals and S/N ratio) on weaker signals.