RFID Starter Kit - Retail

Replacement:[RTL-11505](http://Replacement: RTL-11505. The new version of the kit uses blank, unbranded RFID cards. This page is for reference only.). The new version of the kit uses blank, unbranded RFID cards. This page is for reference only.

This kit includes everything you need to get started with RFID. It includes a USB RFID board, ID-12 RFID reader, and 2 RFID cards.

The RFID USB Reader is a simple to use, USB to serial base unit for the ID-2, ID-12, and ID-20 readers. Simply plug a reader into the headers and attach a miniUSB cable. Open a terminal program of your choice at 9600bps 8N1, then scan your 125kHz ID tag and the unique 32-bit ID will be shown on the screen. The unit is based on a FTDI chip and comes with a read LED and buzzer.

The ID-12 is a very simple RFID reader module. It plugs directly into the USB reader to allow you to read RFID tags through a USB connection. Power the module, hold up a card, and get a serial string output containing the unique ID of the card.

RFID Starter Kit - Retail Product Help and Resources

SparkFun RFID Starter Kit Hookup Guide

May 5, 2015

Learn the basics of how to get started with the SparkFun RFID Starter Kit.

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  • coonce / about 12 years ago / 1

    So... is this product currently sold out?

    If so, will you guys be making any more?

    If not, is there another product that's similar in scope?

  • Member #371260 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Truly excellent piece of kit. No duino required and Very easy too connect to. A small tip for those strugling with HyperTerm tools osx/pc, you can also use the default Arduino SerialMonitor to monitor other COM ports too. Just switch the COM tool=>serial port, and open the serial monitor.

    For thos who want to connect with Arduino to the Serial port on the board instead of USB FTDI.

    Here's my code: http://pastebin.com/rWhJ7aRy

  • Member #368590 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Is there any application you know of that is similar to Powerwedge http://www.carabez.com/pcwedge.html that can be used for Mac's?

  • Member #288577 / about 12 years ago / 1

    I have problems with this module, I wired it in with an arduino uno and an LCD display, and the read LED keeps flashing and the buzzer buzz's on and off, both very fast. can anyone help?

  • UNTEngineer / about 12 years ago / 1

    Can this work on 3.3V say for use with an Arduino Fio?

  • mctom987 / about 12 years ago / 1

    This kit is far superior to another one I bought at Fry's (Parallax). I spent a couple hours trying to avoid duplicating (ok, centicating) successive reads. This device has that built in, so I no longer have to fudge around in my code to only check once. Great job!

    The built-in beep is also a nice addition. Were it not useful to have two readers, I'd likely return the Parallax one.

  • heavysixer / about 13 years ago / 1

    I wrote a short blog post on how to get this working with the Mac and Ruby: http://markdaggett.com/blog/2012/04/23/reading-rfid-cards-with-ruby/

  • Member #129248 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Hello, I bought this kit and it's working fine.

    But a have a need to know when the card get away from the reader. How can I do that? I imagined try to read the card each 1 second, but I don't know what command to send to the reader to do that.

    Some one knows how can I do?

    Best regards. Thiago

  • Marabunta / about 13 years ago / 1

    Hello, How can I copy or echo the data read by TeraTerm to microsoft access 2011? Hope that someone can help me! Thnx, Marabunta

  • Mike N. / about 13 years ago / 1

    Has anyone been able to get this reader to be able to log into windows?

  • @maxboender / about 13 years ago / 1

    I used the tutorial but hyperterminal only shows triangles. What do i do?

    • ITHelp / about 13 years ago / 1

      Make sure you've set your connection up properly. This module outputs at 9600 baud, not 115200.

      Beyond that it's 8N1N (8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, no flow control.)

      The tutorial steps you through the HyperTerm setup. http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/243

  • Jippie / about 13 years ago / 1

    Hello,
    The link to the Quick Start Guide doesn't seem to work. I'm working on a Mac. Can somebody give me quick start :)?...
    best,
    Jippie

  • CarlosNegron / about 13 years ago * / 1

    is there anyway to change the output data format?

    • ITHelp / about 13 years ago / 1

      Unfortunately there is not. The output is the raw data from the tag, so you can convert that to binary and work back up if you need to get different values from various ranges in the card's output.

      (It comes from the reader in hexadecimal format, so it's a fairly straightforward conversion to binary.)

  • Member #241469 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Is there a way to connect the RFID USB Reader to the Arduino UNO?

    • TQT / about 13 years ago /

      In case you haven't resolved it yet, just use the TX and RX lines and read it as any other serial device.

      • tomdavies / about 13 years ago / 1

        Is it possible to run this with just the uno by connecting up the vcc, ground and tx pins??

        • ITHelp / about 13 years ago / 1

          Yes. You actually need to tie FS (Format Select) to GND and RST to VCC as well. All told it only takes three lines from the Arduino to run it.

          EDIT: I use the NewSoftSerial library to read from this as well. It works great and it leaves the hardware UART open for other uses.

  • CarlosNegron / about 13 years ago / 1

    Recently i purchased this item along with the REDBEE (125khz) to use them on my thesis project. The problem is that when i read the cards using the Windows Hyperterminal, it shows a diferent code using this item and the REDBEE, all of this with thbe same rfid tag. Does anyone know how to fix that? thanks

  • Member #231857 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Hello
    I want to use this product for connecting with altera de2 board.This development board has ps/2, rs 232 and also usb port. can somebody give me any idea?

  • Member #218560 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Is there a way to connect the included RFID USB board to the Arduino Pro board?

  • Member #63087 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Hi,
    I have tags rewritables (T5567 type) - which I can read in this module ok.
    Can I use this module also to write to this tags?
    (I can write to TAGS with another readder/writer I have)
    Are there any commands - to to the writing?, any datasheet how to use this module for writing?
    Is it possible at all with the ID-12?
    please email me to
    roeebloch@walla.co.il
    Thanks,
    Roee.

  • coudcoud / about 14 years ago / 1

    Hello.
    I wanted to build a 134khz rfid reader, to use it with animal ear tags.
    I read that some 125khz readers could view 134khz transponders.
    However it doesn't seem to work with an out-of-the-box rfid starter kit.
    I'm a beginner in electronics, so I don't know if there is a way to change/add a component in the "RFID USB reader" in order to change the reading frequency.
    Is it hackable?
    Thanks.

    • Member #225883 / about 13 years ago / 1

      How did your project go? Please contact me, i think my email should be visible here :s

    • To get accurate results, you will need a 134kHz reader to read 134kHz transponders. You may be able to pick up the occasional 134kHz module with 125 kHz module, but this is the exception rather than the rule. You could hack the USB reader to be compatible with a 134kHz module, but it is currently only designed for the ID-2, ID-12 and ID-20 modules. It would probably be easier to simply build your own reader interface board for whatever module you would like to use.

  • Member #209796 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Hello thr,
    I m gonna use this device along with my java project. So I require the Java SDK along with starter pack.
    Plz let me ensure that Java SDK would be there along with the device. So that I can start with my project.
    Thnx

  • camigord / about 14 years ago / 1

    sorry, is there any way to write the card? or it has a unique ID? Thanks

    • ITHelp / about 13 years ago / 1

      If you are looking for cards that you can set the values of then look into the MIFARE module and tags.

      These tags are set at the factory and cannot be edited later on. The readers are not capable of writing to tags anyways, but there are read/write modules that operate in the 125 kHz range, given the proper tags.

    • Young Maker / about 14 years ago / 1

      no because they are factory set cards. you may only read them.

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