fpv-sdr

Receive and decode analog 5.8 GHz FPV video (the analog NTSC or PAL link in many drones and FPV cameras) with common software-defined radios. Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

• What you need
• Install
• Run
  • Tuning the picture
  • Common adjustments
• Channels
• Supported radios
• Troubleshooting
• License
• Legal & Acceptable Use

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What you need

• A supported SDR: HackRF, BladeRF, B210/200mini, ANT E200, ADALM-Pluto
• Linux/Widows/macOS machine

Install

git clone https://github.com/lukeswitz/fpv-sdr.git
cd fpv-sdr
./setup.sh 

Tip

Run ./setup.sh --check to report what's already installed

• DragonOS — everything is prebuilt; ./setup.sh just confirms it.
• Debian / Ubuntu Linux — ./setup.sh installs via apt. Fedora / Arch: prints the packages to install
• macOS — needs Homebrew; ./setup.sh does the rest.

Updating: git pull, then restart the scanner— no rebuild needed (re-run ./setup.sh only if it ever reports a missing component).

Windows

The tool runs inside Ubuntu (WSL). From the project folder in PowerShell:

.\setup.cmd                 # install (run as Administrator the first time; reboot if asked, then run again)
.\run.cmd --sdr hackrf      # run  (leave off --sdr for ANTSDR / USRP)

Run

./fpv_scanner.sh                 # ANTSDR / USRP (default)
./fpv_scanner.sh --sdr hackrf    # or --sdr bladerf
./fpv_scanner.sh --standard pal  # PAL camera (625/50); default is NTSC

Command	Does
scan	search once; open the video if a signal is found
scan loop [SEC]	keep searching until a signal; ENTER / Ctrl-C stops, SEC auto-stops
sweep	signal-strength table for all channels, no video
spectrum [live|CH|MHz]	live spectrum in the terminal
set <CH> / freq <MHz>	tune + view a channel (set R6) or frequency (freq 5843)
sdr <name>	switch radio (uhd, hackrf, bladerf, pluto)
gain <dB> / lna <dB> / vga <dB>	RX gain (HackRF default 36; gain sets both LNA+VGA)
samp-rate <Msps>	capture bandwidth — auto per SDR; raise/lower if needed (samp-rate 14)
margin <dB>	how far over the noise floor counts as a signal (default 12)
rotate / contrast / record <file>	adjust + capture video
standard <ntsc|pal> (or pal / ntsc)	switch video standard — pal = 625/50, 360×288 (EU cameras); default ntsc
list / log / stop / quit	channels / history / stop / exit

Default is NTSC; use --standard pal (or type pal at the prompt) for 625/50 PAL cameras.

• Dial in your settings for your radio (defaults should be ok)
• Run scan to search every channel; if it finds a real FPV signal it opens the video on that channel, use scan loop for constant monitoring.

The spectrum command takes args for channel, use spectrum live to keep it updating:

Tuning the picture (vertical / horizontal hold)

A weak vertical or horizontal sync makes the picture roll or tear (common on PAL). When the scanner opens the video (after scan, set <CH>, or freq <MHz>), tune it live from the same terminal with the arrow keys:

• ↑ / ↓ — vertical hold (stop the picture rolling up/down)
• ← / → — horizontal hold (centre the picture)
• r reset · q back to the scanner menu

The terminal shows the live V / H offset and a lock meter (0–100%; 0 = noise, ~100% = real synced picture). This is a hold (it repositions a split/offset frame) — not needed once the picture sits right.

Common adjustments — type these at the > prompt

If you see…	Type this
weak / grainy picture, black flicker at the top	lna 36 then gain 40 (more sensitivity)
washed-out / too bright	gain 16 (less gain)
choppy video or OsO text spamming	samp-rate 10 (lower bandwidth so the PC keeps up)
sharp signal, want more detail	samp-rate 16 (higher bandwidth)
a known channel isn't being found	margin 8 (detect weaker signals)
picture too dark / too washed	contrast 0.9 (brighter) or contrast 0.6 (flatter)
PAL camera	pal
frame split by a black bar	hold ↓ until the bar rolls off the bottom

Defaults per radio are auto-set (e.g. HackRF: gain 36, samp-rate 12); the commands above just override them.

Channels

64 channels across 8 bands: Raceband, A, B, E, Fatshark, ImmersionRC, DJI, Low (5362–5945 MHz). Type list to see them all.

Supported radios

SDR	--sdr	Notes
ANTSDR E200	uhd	recommended
USRP B210 / B200mini	uhd
BladeRF 2.0 micro	bladerf	needs its FPGA image (setup loads it)
HackRF One	hackrf	8-bit — fine for FM video, slower fps than the rest
ADALM-Pluto	pluto	SoapySDR; needs the 5.8 GHz firmware mod; USB 2.0 caps it to ~8 Msps
CaribouLite	cariboulite	SoapySDR; reaches 5.8 but only 2.5 MHz BW — too narrow for a usable picture
LimeSDR · RTL-SDR · Airspy · SDRplay	—	can't reach 5.8 GHz

Capture bandwidth is set automatically per radio (HackRF 12, bladeRF 18, ANTSDR/USRP 20, Pluto 8 Msps); override with samp-rate <Msps>.

Important

Ensure the gain settings are correct for your device before running. Keep that hackRF amp off ;)

Troubleshooting

• Nothing happens during a search — normal; it stays in the terminal until a signal is found.
• A known transmitter is ignored — lower margin 10; or if the level sits near −10…−20 dBFS the gain is too high (gain 16).
• Signal found but no window — export DISPLAY=:0.
• Black flicker at the top of the frame — weak signal; lna 36, a better 5.8 antenna, or move closer.
• Choppy video or OsO text spamming the terminal — the PC can't keep up at that rate; samp-rate 10.
• Picture split or rolling — hold it with the arrow keys (see Tuning the picture); lock near 100% confirms a real signal.
• Radio not found — SoapySDR: SoapySDRUtil --find; ANTSDR: ping 192.168.1.10 && uhd_find_devices.
• BladeRF finds nothing — its FPGA image must be loaded each power-on; ./setup.sh --check reports it. Use a USB 3.0 port.

License

For lawful reception of 5.8 GHz FPV video only — you are responsible for the rules in your jurisdiction. Provided as is, no warranty. The bundled NTSC decoder (gr-ntsc-rc, in vendor/) is GPLv3; the rest is MIT. Author assumes no liability for anything this code does.

Legal & Acceptable Use

fpv-sdr is provided for lawful, educational, and authorized-testing purposes only — e.g. receiving signals you own, operate, or have explicit permission to receive.

You are solely responsible for ensuring your use complies with all applicable laws, which may include radio-interception, wiretap, privacy, and aviation statutes. In the United States these may include the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. § 2511) and the Communications Act (47 U.S.C. § 605); other jurisdictions impose their own rules. Intercepting, decoding, recording, or divulging communications you are not authorized to receive may be a criminal offense.

This project does not endorse or support using the software to intercept, monitor, or interfere with systems operated by third parties — including government, law enforcement, commercial, or private operators — without their authorization. Requests for help doing so will be declined.

The software is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind. The authors accept no liability for misuse. This notice is not legal advice; consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.