Using the RTL-SDR as a tool to Measure Crystals

Over on YouTube OM0ET has shown how he uses his RTL-SDR for measuring crystals. While working on his home made HF 6-band SSB transceiver, OM0ET needed a way to measure the frequency of some 8 MHz crystals that he needed for his IF filter.

To perform the measurement he simply inserts the crystal into a homemade oscillator circuit, and measures the output with an RTL-SDR V3 operating in direct sampling mode. With the measurements he's able to figure out if the crystal is actually working in the first place, and secondly determine an accurate frequency measurement.