How to set up SABnzbd with Hydra Usenet
SABnzbd is a popular download client for Usenet binaries. This guide walks through connecting it to Hydra Usenet with SSL and your account credentials.
Before you begin
- An active Hydra Usenet account (buy a plan or redeem a token).
- SABnzbd installed on your PC or server.
- Your NNTP username and password from the member panel — not your portal email/password.
1. Open SABnzbd server settings
In SABnzbd, go to Settings → Servers and click Add server (or edit your existing Hydra entry).
2. Enter Hydra Usenet connection details
Use the hostname shown in your member panel. Typical regional endpoints:
- US:
us.hydrause.net - EU:
eu.hydrause.net
Always confirm the live hostname in your member panel before saving.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Server | us.hydrause.net or eu.hydrause.net |
| Port | 563 |
| SSL | Enabled (required) |
| Username | From member panel (NNTP user) |
| Password | From member panel (NNTP password) |
| Connections | Match your plan (e.g. 10–25) |
3. SSL and security
Hydra Usenet requires SSL/TLS on port 563. Plain NNTP is not offered. In SABnzbd, enable SSL and leave certificate verification on unless your environment requires otherwise.
4. Test the server
Click Test server in SABnzbd. A successful test confirms hostname, credentials, and SSL. If it fails, double-check username/password in the member panel and that your plan is active.
5. Add an NZB source
SABnzbd downloads from NZB files, not from browsing newsgroups directly. Add your indexer or NZB source in SABnzbd, send an NZB to the queue, and watch the status tab for download progress.
Tips for best performance
- Pick the region closest to you (US or EU) for lower latency.
- Do not exceed the connection limit on your plan.
- Hydra bills on delivered traffic for metered plans — failed or missing articles are not counted.
- See network status if you notice widespread completion issues.
Troubleshooting
- Authentication failed — Use NNTP credentials from the member panel, not portal login.
- SSL errors — Port must be 563 with SSL enabled.
- Slow or incomplete downloads — Try the other region or check indexer health; see FAQ.
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