short active usb cable

[jim532]

Using RTL_SDR dongle on a Dell laptop, only problem for the work space available on my desk and aesthetics, the most reasonable USB port to use the dongle with is right next to the port for the laptop power cord. Because of the size of the housing of the dongle, I can't plug both in at the same time.
I tried this little 6 inch USB extension cable but SDR# or the other SDR applications don't recognize that the RTL-SDR is plugged in if I use it.

Would an active USB cable work? Is there a short active USB cable less than 12 inches?

[joe36]

I could not say where I got it but, yes they do make 6 inch active usb cable. I use one as a short extension.
AliExpress has one that is 9 inches www.aliexpress.com
for under $2 shipped. They are a bit slow on delivery, 20 to 40 days.
Joe ka9ucn

[rtlsdrblog]

I really don't think you'll need an active USB cable for 6-12 inches. Most probably that cable you used is faulty. Normal good quality USB extension cables should work perfectly fine.

[hotpaw2]

You have a bad USB cable. Maybe one meant for 5V power only. I have two on my RTL-SDRs on passive USB extension cables, with ferrite beads on the cables to help reduce USB RF noise a bit.

[hotpaw2]

A short high-quality passive USB cable (I use 6 inch ones with a right-angle connector) is likely to work better than an active cable.