{"id":20563,"date":"2024-04-23T15:48:12","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T13:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chochol.io\/smart-home\/how-to-change-rtl-sdr-dongle-serial-number-on-linux\/"},"modified":"2025-08-23T19:56:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T17:56:20","slug":"how-to-change-rtl-sdr-dongle-serial-number-on-linux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chochol.io\/en\/hardware\/how-to-change-rtl-sdr-dongle-serial-number-on-linux\/","title":{"rendered":"How to change RTL-SDR dongle serial number on Linux"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Hello!<\/h2>

If you own an RTL-SDR dongle and want to change its serial number on a Raspberry Pi running Linux, this tutorial is for you. Changing the serial number can be useful for several reasons, such as to better identify the device or to resolve conflicts with other modules with the same number.<\/p>

The process of changing the serial number is not complicated, but it does require a few steps in the terminal. In this article, I will provide you with detailed instructions so that you can easily make modifications. Before continuing, make sure you have the necessary tools and drivers for RTL-SDR installed on your Raspberry Pi.<\/p>

What is RTL-SDR?<\/h3>

\"RTL-SDR.com,<\/p>

The RTL-SDR is an inexpensive device based on the RTL2832U chip, initially designed for digital TV receiving. With the help of open source software, they can be turned into inexpensive programmable receivers, enabling them to receive signals over a wide range of frequencies, from about 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz.<\/p>

RTL-SDR devices have gained great popularity among hobbyists, engineers and scientists because of their low price and versatility. They can be used for a variety of applications, such as receiving radio signals, scanning the frequency spectrum, monitoring the weather, listening to radio transmissions and more.<\/p>

Although the RTL-SDR dongles were originally designed to receive digital television, their capabilities have been greatly expanded through software such as GNU Radio, GQRX and other open source tools. This has allowed the use of these inexpensive devices in many fields, such as telecommunications, science, security and many others.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInformation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can skip this step if the rtl-sdr package is already installed on your system.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\ud83d\udce1 RTL-SDR in practice?<\/h2>

Want to see my RTL-SDR installation in action? Click here<\/a> to learn more about my station installed on the roof of an apartment building, where I receive data, among other things. ADS-B using RTL-SDR dongles. Get inspired by this advanced kit and find out what you can do with inexpensive SDR equipment!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Step 1 – Upgrade and install packages on Raspberry Pi<\/h2>

Before starting the process of changing the serial number, it is important to update the Raspberry Pi’s operating system and install the necessary packages. Perform the following steps in the terminal:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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sudo apt-get update\nsudo apt-get upgrade<\/code><\/pre>\n                    <\/div>\n