Nooelec NESDR Smart XTR HF Bundle - Wideband HF to UHF SDR Kit

In this review the Nooelec NESDR Smart XTR HF Bundle is evaluated as a starter-to-intermediate software defined radio kit focused on delivering true HF reception. The bottom line: this bundle is for hobbyists and amateur radio operators who want a reliable upconverter-based HF experience rather than a direct-sampling hack. It combines the NESDR SMArt XTR RTL-SDR with the Ham It Up Plus v2 upconverter and a selection of accessories to cover 300Hz to 2.3GHz, giving a wide tuning range and a more natural HF workflow for listening and experimentation.

Key Features

• Wide frequency coverage: The 300Hz to 2.3GHz range provides coverage from LF/HF through VHF and most UHF bands, useful for many radio services and experiments.
• Upconverter-based HF reception: The included Ham It Up Plus v2 upconverter delivers HF performance without sacrificing SDR gain controls, improving real-world HF listening compared with direct-sampling hacks.
• Complete accessory set: The bundle ships with three antenna masts, a custom antenna base with RG-58 cable, adapters and a balun so users can connect a variety of wire and TV-style antennas right away.
• Assembled components: The Ham It Up Plus is installed in a custom aluminum enclosure and the noise source circuit is preassembled, making initial setup and RF testing easier for newcomers.
• Interconnect flexibility: Multiple SMA, F-type and Belling-Lee adapters plus a male SMA pigtail give options for common antenna connectors and TV coax connections.

Who It's For

This kit is aimed at listeners who want a practical HF-focused SDR setup without diving into custom hardware builds; it's well suited to amateur radio experimenters, shortwave listeners, and anyone who wants to explore LF and HF bands alongside VHF/UHF. The upconverter approach makes tuning and gain control more straightforward for HF work compared with low-cost direct sampling modifications.

Those who need a dedicated ADS-B receiver for aircraft tracking should look elsewhere because the bundle has a frequency gap near 1.1GHz and is not recommended for ADS-B. Also, buyers expecting premium, high-end antennas out of the box should plan to upgrade the supplied masts if they require professional-grade RX performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• True upconverter-based HF reception provides better HF usability and preserves gain control.
• Wideband coverage from 300Hz to 2.3GHz gives flexibility across many bands for general listening and experimentation.
• Bundled accessories, balun and adapters simplify first-time setup and make the kit ready for a range of antennas.
• Assembled noise source and metal enclosures reduce assembly time and provide a tidier bench setup.

Cons

• Included antennas and accessories receive mixed feedback for quality; expect to upgrade antennas for serious reception improvement.
• Frequency gap near 1.1GHz makes this bundle unsuitable for ADS-B tracking.

Specifications

Frequency range	300Hz to 2.3GHz (gap near 1.1GHz)
SDR	NESDR SMArt XTR RTL-SDR
Upconverter	Ham It Up Plus v2 in aluminum enclosure
Included antennas	Three antenna masts with custom base and RG-58 cable
Balun	One Nine v1 antenna balun for longwire/dipole
Adapters and cables	Male SMA pigtail, SMA barrel, SMA-to-F and SMA-to-Belling-Lee adapters

Our Verdict

The NESDR Smart XTR HF Bundle is a practical, value-oriented package for listeners who prioritize authentic HF reception and want an out-of-the-box upconverter solution. It is a smart choice for hobbyists and ham operators who will likely upgrade antennas later; avoid it only if you need ADS-B reception or expect high-end antennas included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bundle receive HF bands natively?
Yes; the Ham It Up Plus v2 upconverter in the bundle enables HF reception without relying on direct-sampling hacks.

Can I use this for ADS-B aircraft tracking?
No; the kit has a frequency gap near 1.1GHz and is not recommended for ADS-B reception.

Are additional antennas required?
The bundle includes basic antenna masts and a balun, but many users upgrade antennas for better long-range or precision reception.