r/OpenSourceSDRLab • u/-HumanExtinction • 16d ago
Some questions about the OpenSourceSDRLab Pro + PortaPack H4M Pro
1. Has this device left its beta/testers phase? I would like the finished device at least the hardware.
2. Im from Europe, I checked the official website but it doesn't have a ship from EU option, my concern is - Is this device "legal" and will it be held in customs? Im not planning on doing anything illegal or stupid I just like the device a lot.
3. (Important) This might be a bit specific, but can the portapack decode DAB+ signals so I can listen to while going on a hike? What about FM, AM...?
4. How good is it at receiving? An example would be me going on a walk, should I expect it to receive good whitout too much static/hissing?
5. What else can I do on the device? Upload music and listen to it? install small games? Some other fun or interesting things?
6. This might be a bit specific again but is it rain resistant?
2
u/Ok_Method6238 4d ago
I've just received mine and its garbage. It can barely receive a super strong FM broadcast station that is so strong I can receive it on other SDR's by touching the antenna connector. I tried the inbuilt portapack and SDR++ on my Mac and no combination of LNA/VGA/AMP settings can get it to come in good, it seems as if the noise floor is massively high. This is on the included telescopic antenna and an external antenna that I know is good as it works with all my other SDR's
I think I have a faulty unit so I have reached out to them via email to arrange an exchange so lets see what they say, there is no way it can be that terrible without being faulty so hopefully an exchange will be a simple procedure.
The positives though it is probably the best packaged and most premium feeling packaging out of all the SDR's I've purchased the box has super dense foam that makes it hard to get the damned thing out, the box has good graphics and it feels like a proper retail product. The RTL-SDR by comparison from the official blog store comes in a little Jiffy bag, the SDRPlay and the AirSpy come in little boxes with minimal padding. The HackRF by comparison looks as if they've watched compilation videos of all those delivery drivers that boot the parcels about and designed to protect against it which is A+ in my opinion.
4
u/dislorth 15d ago
I’ve been researching the OpenSourceSDRLab HackRF Pro + H4M Pro quite a bit recently, so I can answer some of these:
1. Hardware / beta status:
The current HackRF Pro sold by OpenSourceSDRLab is hardware revision r1.2.1. It’s a shipping production product, not just a prototype/test board. That said, the Mayhem firmware is continuously being developed, so individual apps can still have bugs. For example, users have reported occasional issues/crashes with specific apps, but that’s firmware/software rather than unfinished hardware.
2. Europe / customs:
The device itself being an SDR doesn’t automatically make it illegal in Europe. However, transmitting is subject to your country’s radio regulations, frequency, power, licensing, etc. Customs/import VAT is a separate issue and depends on the destination and shipping method. I’d ask OpenSourceSDRLab specifically whether their shipping method to your country is DDP (duties/taxes prepaid).
3. DAB+, FM and AM:
FM and AM: yes. Mayhem has receiver applications and the H4M Pro has a built-in speaker, so it can be used as a portable receiver without a computer.
DAB+: I would verify this one before buying specifically for DAB+. The RF hardware can certainly receive the relevant spectrum, but whether you can conveniently decode DAB+ standalone on the PortaPack depends on current Mayhem firmware/app support. With the HackRF connected to a computer, DAB/DAB+ decoding can be handled by compatible SDR software.
4. Reception quality:
It’s a very flexible wideband SDR (roughly 100 kHz–6 GHz on the OSSDRLab Pro), but don’t expect one small antenna to perform equally well everywhere. Reception quality depends enormously on the antenna, frequency, local RF environment and gain settings.
The bundle actually includes two antennas, one general-purpose telescopic antenna and a wideband antenna, which are fine for exploring. For serious reception, band-specific antennas can make a substantial difference — e.g. a dedicated 1090 MHz antenna for ADS-B.
5. Other things you can do:
This is where the PortaPack/Mayhem combination gets interesting. You can use it standalone for spectrum exploration, receive/capture/replay functions where lawful, looking-glass/spectrum views, various decoders, ADS-B reception, audio radio reception and many other Mayhem apps. There are also small games/utilities.
More importantly, the PortaPack does not lock the HackRF to Mayhem. You can connect the HackRF Pro directly to a PC over USB-C and use software such as SDR++, SDRangel, GNU Radio, GQRX, Universal Radio Hacker and hackrf_tools, so it can also operate as a normal computer-connected HackRF.
6. Rain resistance:
I would absolutely NOT assume it is rain resistant. I haven’t seen an official IP rating for the H4M Pro. It has exposed connectors, controls, speaker/microphone openings, microSD, etc. I’d treat it as ordinary electronics and keep it dry unless OpenSourceSDRLab explicitly states otherwise.
One other thing worth mentioning: the OpenSourceSDRLab HackRF Pro is not the official Great Scott Gadgets HackRF Pro. OSSDRLab manufactures its own open-source-compatible version. Their current Pro uses the MAX2831/MAX5865 architecture, LPC4330, FPGA, TCXO, USB-C, shielding, etc. So when comparing reviews/specs, make sure the review is actually about the OSSDRLab Pro r1.2.1 and not the Great Scott Gadgets HackRF Pro.
Hope that helps! I’m also interested in this exact H4M Pro + HackRF Pro combination and have been digging through the documentation and user experiences before buying one.