What you need
Use a current desktop Google Chrome build and open BrowserSDR over HTTPS. Hardware reception needs WebUSB and a supported receiver; the spectrum uses WebGPU where available. Open the app’s Diagnostics tab to check the browser’s capabilities. Other Chromium browsers, mobile browsers, Firefox and Safari are not established hardware setups.
A receiver samples the radio spectrum; an antenna suitable for the band supplies the signal. Reception depends on your antenna, location and RF conditions. BrowserSDR connects to your own hardware rather than a remote internet radio.
Try the spectrum without hardware
- Open the receiver and select Synthetic spectrum demo in Signal source.
- Press Start demo. Fixed tones and a frequency sweep exercise the spectrum and waterfall.
- Open Diagnostics to inspect the analysis path, then press Stop when finished.
The demo generates sample data locally. It does not receive a station or produce radio audio, and it does not request USB permission.
Connect your USB receiver
- Check the supported device profiles and close other SDR software and tabs that may own the device.
- Connect the radio and an appropriate antenna. Select its profile in Signal source.
- Use Setup help for your operating system, then press Connect and choose the device in Chrome’s USB chooser.
- Select a supported sample rate and mode, then press Start receiving.
For an RTL-SDR, follow the RTL-SDR setup guide. Some bladeRF and USRP states require verified, user-imported device images; the app provides the exact sources and checks before loading them into volatile RAM.
Tune and investigate
Receiver center moves the captured RF window; Channel frequency selects the signal within that window. Auto re-center moves the receiver when the complete channel no longer fits. Choose WBFM for ordinary FM broadcasts, or another mode that matches the signal and the receiver’s supported sample rate.
Explorer scans a receiver window or a field-survey profile and records relative signal evidence. A peak is evidence of activity, not proof of a transmitter’s identity. When you find a useful signal, record I/Q for replay.
Know what stays local
Signal processing, radio audio and recordings stay in the browser unless you explicitly export or save a capture. Automatic error reporting is on by default and can be disabled in Diagnostics. See privacy and reporting details.