HackRF Portapack H4M Clifford Heath Edition

Manufactured by our friends at OpenSourceSDRLab, the HackRF Portapack H4M Clifford Heath Edition is a curated configuration of the HackRF One and Portapack ecosystem, built in recognition of Clifford Heath’s long-standing contributions to the RF and open hardware community.

This edition emphasizes improved RF front-end protection, modernized components, and includes a practical OpenSourceSDRLab antenna bundle, resulting in a more robust and forgiving platform for hands-on RF learning, experimentation, and legitimate research.

It is designed for serious users who want to understand radio systems through responsible, real-world use.

Why the Clifford Heath Edition

This edition incorporates targeted hardware-level improvements to the HackRF One that enhance durability, protection, and long-term maintainability while remaining fully compatible with the HackRF and Portapack H4M ecosystem.

The focus is on resilience, component availability, and usability in real experimental environments — not novelty or spectacle.

Clifford Heath Edition Hardware Improvements

• Enhanced antenna port protection using the SMP1330-085LF, protecting both the transmit amplifier and receive LNA
• Improved Bias-T design supporting operation at significantly higher frequencies, improving RF sensitivity whether enabled or disabled
• Replacement of seven SKY13350-385LF components with SKY-13453-385LF (current-production part)
• Replacement of two MGA-81563-TR1G MMIC amplifiers with TRF37B73 (current-production part)
• Updated USB port protection using USB6B1, replacing the discontinued LXES15AAA1-100
• Updated CLKIN and CLKOUT protection using BAS70, replacing LXES1TBCC2-004
• Standardized PCB drill sizes (27/13 mil vias), reducing total drill counts from fourteen (14) to six (6) for improved manufacturability
• Added two additional fiducials to improve automated assembly accuracy

Together, these changes improve robustness, supply-chain longevity, and production consistency.

HackRF One Specifications

• Frequency range: 1 MHz – 6 GHz
• Half-duplex transceiver (TX or RX)
• Up to 20 MS/s
• 8-bit I/Q sampling
• USB 2.0 interface
• SMA female RF connector
• Clock input and output support
• Open-source hardware and software ecosystem

What’s Included

• HackRF One (Clifford Heath Edition hardware)
• Portapack H4M
• OpenSourceSDRLab antenna and RF accessory bundle
• USB cable and required interconnects
• Enclosure

The included antenna bundle provides a versatile starting set for exploratory RF work across a wide range of frequencies, without requiring immediate additional purchases.

Included Antennas & RF Accessories

• Wideband USB-powered LNA module (approximately 50 MHz – 6 GHz)
• SMA male-to-male RF cable
• USB Type-C cable (for powering included USB accessories)
• 5 dBi wideband antenna (approximately 40 MHz – 860 MHz)
• 8 dBi antenna (approximately 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz / 5.8 GHz)
• Wideband telescopic antenna (approximately 40 MHz – 6 GHz)
• 12 dBi antenna (approximately 700 MHz – 2700 MHz)
• 35 dBi directional antenna (approximately 700 MHz – 2700 MHz)

Antenna types and exact specifications are selected for general compatibility with the HackRF and Portapack H4M ecosystem. Minor variations may occur between bundle revisions.

Software & Community Resources

The HackRF Portapack H4M is compatible with the open-source Mayhem firmware, a community-maintained project that extends the Portapack ecosystem.

Learn more about the firmware and its development at:
https://github.com/portapack-mayhem/mayhem-firmware

Mayhem Hub (your one-stop shop for everything related to Mayhem HackRF/Portapack) is a central community resource with documentation, links, and project information. You can explore it at:
https://hackrf.app/

Intended Use

• RF learning and education
• Spectrum analysis and signal visualization
• Protocol exploration and experimentation
• Embedded systems and wireless research
• Responsible, lawful RF investigation

This device is not a shortcut or preconfigured exploit platform. It is intended for users who want to build understanding through hands-on work.

What Makes This a Whitehat Hardware Edition

• Curated for responsible use
• Emphasis on RF front-end protection and longevity
• Current-production, maintainable components
• Known-good configuration, tested before shipping
• Clear documentation and support expectations
• Shipped from California

Important Note:
Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations when operating RF equipment.