Page 1 of 2
FM reception
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:47 am
by IU2KAC
I'm using Adalm Pluto with SDR Console v3.4.
I receive N-FM signals perfectly, but I can't receive commercial FM radio (88-108 MHz).
I'd appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
Re: FM reception
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:29 pm
by Max
IU2KAC wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:47 am
I'm using Adalm Pluto with SDR Console v3.4.
I receive N-FM signals perfectly, but I can't receive commercial FM radio (88-108 MHz).
I'd appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
Most common issue is the use of the incorrect mode. For FM broadcast radio, the mode should be "BC-FM"
not WFM.
Is it this?
Max
Re: FM reception
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:48 pm
by IU2KAC
Max wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:29 pm
IU2KAC wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 10:47 am
I'm using Adalm Pluto with SDR Console v3.4.
I receive N-FM signals perfectly, but I can't receive commercial FM radio (88-108 MHz).
I'd appreciate any suggestions, thanks.
Most common issue is the use of the incorrect mode. For FM broadcast radio, the mode should be "BC-FM"
not WFM.
Is it this?
Max
No, that's not the problem.
I'll send you screenshots.
img
Re: FM reception
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 11:31 pm
by Max
IU2KAC wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:48 pm
No, that's not the problem.
I'll send you screenshots.
img
Can you please scroll down the RX DSP panel to show the Pluto radio settings panel and then re-post another screenshot.
You can attach the screenshot on this group instead of a link.
Have you completed the frequency extension modification to the Pluto firmware? Otherwise it will not receive below 325 MHz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1jIAh6fG_A
Max
Re: FM reception
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 4:33 pm
by IU2KAC
Max wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 11:31 pm
IU2KAC wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:48 pm
No, that's not the problem.
I'll send you screenshots.
img
Can you please scroll down the RX DSP panel to show the Pluto radio settings panel and then re-post another screenshot.
You can attach the screenshot on this group instead of a link.
Have you completed the frequency extension modification to the Pluto firmware? Otherwise it will not receive below 325 MHz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1jIAh6fG_A
Max
I did the frequency extension modification, but the problem was not solved!?..
Re: FM reception
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 1:23 pm
by IU2KAC
IU2KAC wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 4:33 pm
Max wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 11:31 pm
IU2KAC wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:48 pm
No, that's not the problem.
I'll send you screenshots.
img
Can you please scroll down the RX DSP panel to show the Pluto radio settings panel and then re-post another screenshot.
You can attach the screenshot on this group instead of a link.
Have you completed the frequency extension modification to the Pluto firmware? Otherwise it will not receive below 325 MHz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1jIAh6fG_A
Max
I did the frequency extension modification, but the problem was not solved!?..
https://files.fm/u/8mnqfjyk7m
Re: FM reception
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 5:59 pm
by Max
Sorry Liborio. I am not a Pluto user. Anything I do know is what I have read about on here. Your screenshot shows the Pluto working just fine on 70cm band (as you said).
Hopefully some other Pluto users can read this and take a look at your Radio panel settings and suggest something. Personally I don't see anything obvious.
When you tried for BC-FM you did have a resonant antenna on the antenna input I guess? Wire dipole cut for around 90MHz for example?
Max
Re: FM reception
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:09 pm
by IU2KAC
Max wrote: Fri Jan 02, 2026 5:59 pm
Sorry Liborio. I am not a Pluto user. Anything I do know is what I have read about on here. Your screenshot shows the Pluto working just fine on 70cm band (as you said).
Hopefully some other Pluto users can read this and take a look at your Radio panel settings and suggest something. Personally I don't see anything obvious.
When you tried for BC-FM you did have a resonant antenna on the antenna input I guess? Wire dipole cut for around 90MHz for example?
Max
Yes, of course, I had an external antenna connected.
With an RTL dongle, however, the FM band 88-108 MHz can be received easily.
Re: FM reception
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:25 pm
by Max
IU2KAC wrote: Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:09 pm
Max wrote: Fri Jan 02, 2026 5:59 pm
When you tried for BC-FM you did have a resonant antenna on the antenna input I guess? Wire dipole cut for around 90MHz for example?
Max
Yes, of course, I had an external antenna connected.
With an RTL dongle, however, the FM band 88-108 MHz can be received easily.
Understood. This needs an experienced Pluto user. Will try and get Sigi DG9BFC to come and look here.
Max
Re: FM reception
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2026 12:02 am
by G8VLR
Hi Liborio,
The device is capable of operating from 70 MHz to 6 GHz, which includes the standard FM broadcast band of 88–108 MHz, though it requires a firmware modification to unlock this range. By default, the PlutoSDR is limited to a narrower frequency range (e.g., 225 MHz to 3.8 GHz), but this can be expanded using a "hack" that reconfigures the device’s firmware to support the AD9364 RFIC, enabling reception down to 70 MHz.
Hope this helps,
Roger (G8VLR)