Help with RTL-SDR HF

[rbannocks]

Hi, I am quite new to SDR and for that matter radio and hope someone can render help.

I have a cheap Chinese imported HF Sdr. As you will see from the pictures it has 2 inputs one for UV and one for HF. I have HDSDR installed and the EXTIO installed on windows. I can tune the device to VHF this gets better reception when the antenna is connected to the UV antenna input. So it is working to some extent. However I have completely failed to get any reception on HF, not even stations I can receive on a small portable CS-106 radio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npWFYauZYoI). The antenna is supposed to be a ‘HF’ antenna, it was supplied with the device, but, I suspect this is the major source of problems. Examination of the device shows it is nothing more than a RTL-SDR ‘DVT’ stick board mounted on another PCB with a larger case and two antenna inputs, pictures attached. Can anyone advise what I need to do to receive on HF. I have tried during on ‘Direct Sampling’ via I and Q this improves the frequency display built I am still unsuccessful in really receiving any signals even SW stations the portable CS-106 can receive easily.

I am really unsure if this is a software or hardware issue. I would have assumed perhaps wrongly that if the portable can receive a station then the device should without much trouble, but, I could well be wrong please advise me. Does anyone else have experience of these devices?

Best

2e0sve

[radiolistener]

You're needs to switch into direct sampling mode for HF. Open ExtIO window and select Q-branch