HackRF One Ready, Set... Wait where am I going again ?

[Pr0ph3t]

So just got my shiny HackRF One, I know everyone's cringing, I'm assuming this is the gateway drug ?

Anyway got a laptop, put Kali on it, spit blood to get everything installed. GQRX and GNU/Radio working properly although I messed up the 2nd tutorial so I can't figure out if the reason I'm not getting sound is my fault (ie OS) or the application. GQRX works great though.

Anybody bored and feel like getting me started ? The information is so scattered and ambiguous. Right now my first objective is to be able to accomplish what my baofeng uv82 does. So to be able to scan from 130-273 mhz is it I believe ?

I think that will be a good getting started point and then I can graduate to the bigger frequencies.

Thanks everyone, just to learn as fast as I can but this stuff is so overwhelming, wish I had started 20 years ago sigh

 

[spongella]

I've had three of them in the past and had fun. Used it mainly as a receiver for shortwave reception and VHF/UHF reception. I liked the fact that it covered up to 6 Gigs, handy when I had my drone to view it's signals. I used SDR# software with it and it worked fine. AM radio, FM radio, shortwave, VHF/UHF all worked fine and having SDR#'s waterfall feature added to the interest.

I dabbled in GNU radio but it was too complicated for my old brain . Same with GQRX, too difficult for me, but there are great tutorials on the HackRFOne. It's more than just a receiver though. Yes it can be overwhelming but take your time.

Check out RTL-SDR.com for articles on the HackRF, Have fun.

 

[dlwtrunked]

So just got my shiny HackRF One, I know everyone's cringing, I'm assuming this is the gateway drug ?
...
Anybody bored and feel like getting me started ? The information is so scattered and ambiguous. Right now my first objective is to be able to accomplish what my baofeng uv82 does. So to be able to scan from 130-273 mhz is it I believe ?
I think that will be a good getting started point and then I can graduate to the bigger frequencies.
....

As far as a receiver for just listening goes, it is not a very good one. As far as a tool goes for looking for an analyzing signals goes, it is excellent. (I have several and keep one near my desk and one in the car.) I usually use Windows with it rather than Linux. Universal Radio Hacker and Hackrf Sweep Spectrum Analyzer are must tools for what I do.

 

[Pr0ph3t]

I've had three of them in the past and had fun. Used it mainly as a receiver for shortwave reception and VHF/UHF reception. I liked the fact that it covered up to 6 Gigs, handy when I had my drone to view it's signals. I used SDR# software with it and it worked fine. AM radio, FM radio, shortwave, VHF/UHF all worked fine and having SDR#'s waterfall feature added to the interest.

I dabbled in GNU radio but it was too complicated for my old brain . Same with GQRX, too difficult for me, but there are great tutorials on the HackRFOne. It's more than just a receiver though. Yes it can be overwhelming but take your time.

Check out RTL-SDR.com for articles on the HackRF, Have fun.

Wait so what do you use then ? Keep in mind I'm in linux (kali ie deb). GNURADIO is so fun I'm having a blast ! Having issues with the Alsa adapter though gonna spend the day troubleshooting. I have ZERO idea what I"m doing but he gives great lectures the guy who designed the hackrf (Scott I think ? )

 

[Pr0ph3t]

As far as a receiver for just listening goes, it is not a very good one. As far as a tool goes for looking for an analyzing signals goes, it is excellent. (I have several and keep one near my desk and one in the car.) I usually use Windows with it rather than Linux. Universal Radio Hacker and Hackrf Sweep Spectrum Analyzer are must tools for what I do.

Yeah you see I had a feeling that's it more for analysis than it is for scanning. I wanted kinda an all in one.

Here's the thing though, I'm scanning on my uv82 (if you wanna call it that) and I pick up a frequency, let's say 140.000 (I don't remember the actual). There was talking going back and forth, but on my HACKRF, GQRX didn't even pick it up. Now I do have a 42inch foldable on my uv82 so maybe that's helping ? I dunno. Perhaps my squelch in gqrx is too high ? But it's like -150db

EDIT: Oh and just fyi I've confirmed it's working as I did the tutorial and can listen to FM stations but I mean... big deal. I know it's the beginning as long as it leads somewhere and it's not just you know, FRS and FM radio stations. Right now it feels like my UV82 is better at picking up frequencies than the hackrf :/ I ran all the tests and my throughput is actually higher than the one in the tutorial

 

[Pr0ph3t]

See here's an example:



When I move over any of these frequencies it's just a long beeeeeeeeeeeeep tone, like the multicolored TV testing channel at 3am sound (Do they still do that ?) Whereas on the uv82 for example 140.000 is maritime weather station

So I'm wondering, do I need some type of decoder ? I suppose I can switch it over to the windows box and see what happens

 

[krokus]

See here's an example:

View attachment 98428

When I move over any of these frequencies it's just a long beeeeeeeeeeeeep tone, like the multicolored TV testing channel at 3am sound (Do they still do that ?) Whereas on the uv82 for example 140.000 is maritime weather station

So I'm wondering, do I need some type of decoder ? I suppose I can switch it over to the windows box and see what happens

The way those look, they appear to be birdies. (Artifacts from the HackRF radio circuits.)

Try looking at 153 to 160 MHz, instead of the military band you have there. You will find more to look at, and click on.

 

[dlwtrunked]

The way those look, they appear to be birdies. (Artifacts from the HackRF radio circuits.)

Try looking at 153 to 160 MHz, instead of the military band you have there. You will find more to look at, and click on.

Most of them are equally spaced indicating harmonics of something rather than birdies. I do not see these but do not run the same software nor I am I at his location.

 

[Pr0ph3t]

The way those look, they appear to be birdies. (Artifacts from the HackRF radio circuits.)

Try looking at 153 to 160 MHz, instead of the military band you have there. You will find more to look at, and click on.

Hiya !

No with the uv82 I can hear stuff on this range. Unless I'm doing something wrong on the gqrx end. Like I said earlier 140.000 is the weather channel. What I will do next however is is test the 153-160 like you said. Right now I'm imaging my laptop because I'm sick of the reinstalls lol Once that's done in about 4 hours gonna relax and do some scanning.

What concerns me is the fact that I can hear something on the baofeng and not the hackrf. I wonder if I'm using the wrong antenna

 

[krokus]

Hiya !

No with the uv82 I can hear stuff on this range. Unless I'm doing something wrong on the gqrx end. Like I said earlier 140.000 is the weather channel. What I will do next however is is test the 153-160 like you said. Right now I'm imaging my laptop because I'm sick of the reinstalls lol Once that's done in about 4 hours gonna relax and do some scanning.

What concerns me is the fact that I can hear something on the baofeng and not the hackrf. I wonder if I'm using the wrong antenna

140.000 is part of the military VHF allocation, while weather radio is in the 162.xxx MHz range. That sounds like you are listening to an image of a weather broadcast. When you listen, take note of the station identification, which will give you the callsign, location, and frequency.

 

[Pr0ph3t]

140.000 is part of the military VHF allocation, while weather radio is in the 162.xxx MHz range. That sounds like you are listening to an image of a weather broadcast. When you listen, take note of the station identification, which will give you the callsign, location, and frequency.

Ok I've figured out what the problem is. On the same channel the uv82 picks upchatter, in GQRX (sdr) if I amplify the signals I see faint traces on the waterfall. The antenna isn't strong enough I have a 42inch antenna on the baofeng. So that's the issue then. Problem is where am I going to find a 42inch antenna that's compatible with the hackrf one inlets Any idea fellas ? I don't know what these connectors are called. I remember Scott talking about how you need specifically though both connectors to have the male cable inside sticking out or they won't touch (however they'll connect to eachother). So kinda making me weary of what antenna to get.

 

[spongella]

The connectors on the Hack RF are female SMA's. You can buy an adaptor or pigtail that is male SMA to whatever your other antenna's connector is. I get my adaptors on EBay or Nooelec. Nooelec is a reputable company, have bought many things from them. Check out their adaptors as they sell (or used to sell) HackRF's.

There are photos of adaptors and pigtails in this article I wrote years ago: http://www.tele-audiovision.com/TELE-audiovision-1501/eng/feature-dongle.pdf

 

[Pr0ph3t]

The connectors on the Hack RF are female SMA's. You can buy an adaptor or pigtail that is male SMA to whatever your other antenna's connector is. I get my adaptors on EBay or Nooelec. Nooelec is a reputable company, have bought many things from them. Check out their adaptors as they sell (or used to sell) HackRF's.

There are photos of adaptors and pigtails in this article I wrote years ago: http://www.tele-audiovision.com/TELE-audiovision-1501/eng/feature-dongle.pdf

Thank you very much this is perfect. I'll let everyone know how it goes. I know that the hackrf is better at 'poor man's signal analysis' than it is as a scanner, but I think with the right antenna it can definately be a level up from a uv82 or atleast my wishful thinking permits me to think so

Just found it on the page too:

• SMA female antenna connector
• SMA female clock input and output for synchronization

So what's the deal with clocks do you really need an external one ? What's wrong with the internal crystal ?

 

[Pr0ph3t]

The connectors on the Hack RF are female SMA's. You can buy an adaptor or pigtail that is male SMA to whatever your other antenna's connector is. I get my adaptors on EBay or Nooelec. Nooelec is a reputable company, have bought many things from them. Check out their adaptors as they sell (or used to sell) HackRF's.

There are photos of adaptors and pigtails in this article I wrote years ago: http://www.tele-audiovision.com/TELE-audiovision-1501/eng/feature-dongle.pdf

Wow nice signals you're getting there in that PDF. Gives me hope ! Mind you the equipment you used there was probably far better than this.

So you mean these yeah ? I'm getting these:

wlaniot Low Loss SMA Male to N-Type Female Coaxial Cable Adapter for WiFi Antenna/Signal Booster/Extender/Repeater/Radio,2-Pack : Amazon.ca: Electronics

wlaniot Low Loss SMA Male to N-Type Female Coaxial Cable Adapter for WiFi Antenna/Signal Booster/Extender/Repeater/Radio,2-Pack : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

Superbat RF coaxial SMA Male to SMA Female Bulkhead RG174 15ft Cable + 3pcs RF Coax SMA Adapter Kit for SDR Equipment Antenna Ham Radio,3G 4G LTE Antenna,ADS-B,GPS and etc : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Superbat RF coaxial SMA Male to SMA Female Bulkhead RG174 15ft Cable + 3pcs RF Coax SMA Adapter Kit for SDR Equipment Antenna Ham Radio,3G 4G LTE Antenna,ADS-B,GPS and etc : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

to plug this

Bingfu Dual Band VHF UHF 136-520MHz 18.5 inch Foldable CS Tactical SMA Female Ham Radio Antenna with 3 feet Extension Relocation Cable for Kenwood Baofeng BF-F8HP UV-5R UV-82 BF-888S GT-3 Ham Radio : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Bingfu Dual Band VHF UHF 136-520MHz 18.5 inch Foldable CS Tactical SMA Female Ham Radio Antenna with 3 feet Extension Relocation Cable for Kenwood Baofeng BF-F8HP UV-5R UV-82 BF-888S GT-3 Ham Radio : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

(Which works surprisingly well btw the signals are crystal clear, mind you as a noob everything is impressive to me at this point)

into this

HackRF One Software Defined Radio (SDR), 1MHz-6GHz SDR Platform Software Defined Radio Development Board with Programming Button, Compatible with GNU Radio, SDR and More(Green): Amazon.ca: Electronics

HackRF One Software Defined Radio (SDR), 1MHz-6GHz SDR Platform Software Defined Radio Development Board with Programming Button, Compatible with GNU Radio, SDR and More(Green): Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

I'm including the specific hackrf I got because I didn't notice till I received it that there was an official site, looking at the price tag I think I got some type of knockoff. But I ran all the tests and got slightly better results than Scott did in his 1-12 lessons on hackrf/sdr. Anyway so I included it in case there's any specific comments you have about it like why it' so much cheaper there.

Thanks a bunch appreciate all the info I get here from everyone

 

[spongella]

Wow nice signals you're getting there in that PDF. Gives me hope ! Mind you the equipment you used there was probably far better than this.

So you mean these yeah ? I'm getting these:

wlaniot Low Loss SMA Male to N-Type Female Coaxial Cable Adapter for WiFi Antenna/Signal Booster/Extender/Repeater/Radio,2-Pack : Amazon.ca: Electronics

wlaniot Low Loss SMA Male to N-Type Female Coaxial Cable Adapter for WiFi Antenna/Signal Booster/Extender/Repeater/Radio,2-Pack : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

Superbat RF coaxial SMA Male to SMA Female Bulkhead RG174 15ft Cable + 3pcs RF Coax SMA Adapter Kit for SDR Equipment Antenna Ham Radio,3G 4G LTE Antenna,ADS-B,GPS and etc : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Superbat RF coaxial SMA Male to SMA Female Bulkhead RG174 15ft Cable + 3pcs RF Coax SMA Adapter Kit for SDR Equipment Antenna Ham Radio,3G 4G LTE Antenna,ADS-B,GPS and etc : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

to plug this

Bingfu Dual Band VHF UHF 136-520MHz 18.5 inch Foldable CS Tactical SMA Female Ham Radio Antenna with 3 feet Extension Relocation Cable for Kenwood Baofeng BF-F8HP UV-5R UV-82 BF-888S GT-3 Ham Radio : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Bingfu Dual Band VHF UHF 136-520MHz 18.5 inch Foldable CS Tactical SMA Female Ham Radio Antenna with 3 feet Extension Relocation Cable for Kenwood Baofeng BF-F8HP UV-5R UV-82 BF-888S GT-3 Ham Radio : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

(Which works surprisingly well btw the signals are crystal clear, mind you as a noob everything is impressive to me at this point)

into this

HackRF One Software Defined Radio (SDR), 1MHz-6GHz SDR Platform Software Defined Radio Development Board with Programming Button, Compatible with GNU Radio, SDR and More(Green): Amazon.ca: Electronics

HackRF One Software Defined Radio (SDR), 1MHz-6GHz SDR Platform Software Defined Radio Development Board with Programming Button, Compatible with GNU Radio, SDR and More(Green): Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

I'm including the specific hackrf I got because I didn't notice till I received it that there was an official site, looking at the price tag I think I got some type of knockoff. But I ran all the tests and got slightly better results than Scott did in his 1-12 lessons on hackrf/sdr. Anyway so I included it in case there's any specific comments you have about it like why it' so much cheaper there.

Thanks a bunch appreciate all the info I get here from everyone

Not at all, the equipment I used and continue to use are the $25 RTL dongles ones. But they only cover up to around 1.7 GHz, unlike the Hack which covers up to 6 Gigs. Personally I found that there's not much to listen to above 1 Gig so I sold the three Hacks I had.

Yes there are knockoffs but I have no experience with them, I only had three of the original Great Scott HackRFOnes.

A better antenna will get better results, especially if you put it outside. Just remember to to use the RF and LNA gain judiciously otherwise you'll overload the receiver.

Here's a short article I did years ago using my HackRFOne to decode DGPS beacons: Guest Post: Using the HackRF One for DGPS Beacon Reception

Also check: www.rtl-sdr.com for other HackRF-related articles and have fun.

 

[Pr0ph3t]

Not at all, the equipment I used and continue to use are the $25 RTL dongles ones. But they only cover up to around 1.7 GHz, unlike the Hack which covers up to 6 Gigs. Personally I found that there's not much to listen to above 1 Gig so I sold the three Hacks I had.

Yes there are knockoffs but I have no experience with them, I only had three of the original Great Scott HackRFOnes.

A better antenna will get better results, especially if you put it outside. Just remember to to use the RF and LNA gain judiciously otherwise you'll overload the receiver.

Here's a short article I did years ago using my HackRFOne to decode DGPS beacons: Guest Post: Using the HackRF One for DGPS Beacon Reception

Also check: www.rtl-sdr.com for other HackRF-related articles and have fun.

Yah I followed the gnu/radio tutorials very carefully. Built the FM radio from scratch, and followed all the guidelines. So we'll see how this goes I'm anxious to see what I can find with this. It really is an underrated device. It just needs some modding.

I'm starting to think it all comes down to the antenna. Also starting to think I'm making the mistake of thinking 1 antenna does it all. I think I never several for different wavelengths. 42in seems to work well though for my uses

 

[a417]

Yah I followed the gnu/radio tutorials very carefully. Built the FM radio from scratch, and followed all the guidelines.

which ones? there's many.

 

[Pr0ph3t]

which ones? there's many.

Sorry going to learn to be more specific. I've begun with Scott's, doing lesson 11 today:

I'm going to attempt to switch off my television with it

 

[krokus]

Ok I've figured out what the problem is. On the same channel the uv82 picks upchatter, in GQRX (sdr) if I amplify the signals I see faint traces on the waterfall. The antenna isn't strong enough I have a 42inch antenna on the baofeng. So that's the issue then. Problem is where am I going to find a 42inch antenna that's compatible with the hackrf one inlets Any idea fellas ? I don't know what these connectors are called. I remember Scott talking about how you need specifically though both connectors to have the male cable inside sticking out or they won't touch (however they'll connect to eachother). So kinda making me weary of what antenna to get.

An antenna's length should be matched to the operating frequency, generally expressed in wavelengths. There are plenty of websites that show you the formulas for that calculation. As an example: a 1/4 wavelength antenna for 146 MHz is roughly 19 inches.

This is much less critical for receive,and even transmitting is typically if the length is close. (The antenna and feedline should be tested for a good match. A NanoVNA is an inexpensive piece of test equipment that can do this test.)

What types of signals is the Baofeng receiving on 140 MHz?

 

[Pr0ph3t]

An antenna's length should be matched to the operating frequency, generally expressed in wavelengths. There are plenty of websites that show you the formulas for that calculation. As an example: a 1/4 wavelength antenna for 146 MHz is roughly 19 inches.

This is much less critical for receive,and even transmitting is typically if the length is close. (The antenna and feedline should be tested for a good match. A NanoVNA is an inexpensive piece of test equipment that can do this test.)

What types of signals is the Baofeng receiving on 140 MHz?

from 133-500.

Tonight is an interesting puzzle. I'm trying to switch off my TV with my hackrf one. First step is to capture the frequency from the remote but I just cannot find it. I'm seeing that appliances tend to be between 30-60mhz I see other weird stuff in the waterfall but not my signal hmm.

The only clue is that this is a Samsung ER ROHS remote (the label on the battery cover inside).