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HackRF SDR CB power amplifier with band filter for two way communication

cbsdr

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Messages
8
I have done much web search but can not find a nice solution for this.
I like general SDR devices from the technical point of view much more then any CB products that are available. I like to be able to do everything with just one RF device and have everything OpenSource. The HackRF is a great half duplex device to reach this goal.

I plan to use it for 11m band instead of the typical CB devices out there. Yes, i like the HackRF also more then a Hermes Lite 2.

I would like to go with higher quality RF parts where possible to have a clean signal and to not loose TX quality where possible.

The main goal is 20W. If the same hardware is capable of 50W i wont say no to this. I do not need much more power then maybe 50W. A P1db point at 20W output would be a great thing to have.

The problem here is that the output power i have from the HackRF is about 10dBm. The power amplifiers that are ready products for and used for CB like the RM-Italy KL60 do not support such low input power.
If i have missed a product, please point me to the one i missed.

After doing many hours of research and also tried out some things, i had to realize that a RF amplifiers are not automatically capable of RX. Professional amplifiers are often TX only and do not switch to a RX path.

Could you point me to some products or parts that could be used to reach the TX power goal? Variable power gain would be something nice to have. I am capable of SMD soldering.
 

slowmover

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I’m not in the least conversant with the gear you are operating, but lacking anyone else answering I’d like to suggest opening a pathway for others who — like myself — are steady users of conventional 11M gear.

I follow wanting to use a single device. Is this solely for stationary use (base station); does it include portable use (POTA); is it mobile? Etcetera. Links to articles or videos?

I recommend: look to get others interested.

You’re ahead of my learned curve, and maybe there are some who want to do what you’re doing . . they just don’t know it yet.

Amps can be a headache, granted.

.
 

mmckenna

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I have done much web search but can not find a nice solution for this.
I like general SDR devices from the technical point of view much more then any CB products that are available. I like to be able to do everything with just one RF device and have everything OpenSource. The HackRF is a great half duplex device to reach this goal.

I plan to use it for 11m band instead of the typical CB devices out there. Yes, i like the HackRF also more then a Hermes Lite 2.

Depending on which country you are in, there may be some legal challenges with this.

Here in the USA, the FCC requires that the radio be type accepted for transmitting on the specific radio service. In this case, the transmitter needs to have Part 95D approval. You won't find that the SDR has that.

You may not care, and that's fine, we are not the radio police. But at least be aware of the requirements and make an educated choice.

The main goal is 20W. If the same hardware is capable of 50W i wont say no to this. I do not need much more power then maybe 50W. A P1db point at 20W output would be a great thing to have.

The problem here is that the output power i have from the HackRF is about 10dBm. The power amplifiers that are ready products for and used for CB like the RM-Italy KL60 do not support such low input power.
If i have missed a product, please point me to the one i missed.

1/100th of a watt to 50 watts is going to take a couple of stages. Finding something off the shelf that meets all the requirements would be a real challenge. You won't find a CB radio amp that will handle that. You are getting into custom built stuff here.
 

WSAC829

Mike Oscar 225
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358
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EN64ak
I like to be able to do everything with just one RF device and have everything OpenSource
Sounds like the X6100 is more what you need. While the factory firmware isn’t open source, there is a 3rd party firmware (R1CBU) that is, and it boots from SD card leaving the factory firmware untouched. This 3rd party firmware is also MARS modded by default so 11 meter works out of the box. I even modified the 3rd party firmware to my liking and changed some colors, added a new theme, etc. You can find my modified firmware here. The X6100’s power is also adjustable up to 10 watts. Perfect for low drive amps. I run mine with a KL-203 without issue. While it isn’t perfect, the X6100 has a lot of bang for the buck and is fun to use.
 

cbsdr

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Messages
8
I follow wanting to use a single device.
Not possible with any product out there to my knowledge for the use case i mentioned. I am not aware of any OpenSource SDR with such high output power i could just connect a CB antenna and everything would be already done.

I recommend: look to get others interested.
I hope i already have. This forum post is when you search for HackRF and CB now the top forum post on the internet :D

Is this solely for stationary use (base station); does it include portable use (POTA); is it mobile?
Its not for station use only. Portable DC power is not a problem these days. Yes, i know i have to use pure DC without a DC-DC converter to not put any noise into the line.

Depending on which country you are in, there may be some legal challenges with this.

Here in the USA, the FCC requires that the radio be type accepted for transmitting on the specific radio service. In this case, the transmitter needs to have Part 95D approval. You won't find that the SDR has that.

You may not care, and that's fine, we are not the radio police. But at least be aware of the requirements and make an educated choice.
I know about the legal points. Still thanks for mentioning them. I plan to do some professional RF lab tests to prove that i have a really clean signal output. I am confident it would be a nicer and cleaner signal then some 30 year old analog CB radio that would still be legal to use (with different RF output power, but still).

1/100th of a watt to 50 watts is going to take a couple of stages. Finding something off the shelf that meets all the requirements would be a real challenge.
This challenge is the reason why i joined this forum. I need help at this challenge. I was hoping i have missed something that is not at a astronomical price range.

You won't find a CB radio amp that will handle that.
Yes, i realized that quickly when i start searching for a solution.

You are getting into custom built stuff here.
I still try to find some examples about such a solution.

Sounds like the X6100 is more what you need.
I like the product from a typical CB-radio point of view. But sadly no, its not what i am searching for. But thanks for mentioning products that have OpenSource replacement firmware in this topic.
I want to use a computer connected over RJ45 or USB to a general purpose SDR for CB transmission and reception. I named the HackRF because its sort of the sweet spot for CB transmission.
For example taking LibreSDR, redpitaya, PlutoSDR, antsdr, neptunesdr, USRP B200 series and others wont fit the frequency need without additional frequency conversion.
Some of the LimeSDR products could be also used for CB because supporting CB frequency, but i do not need full duplex at the moment. Half duplex is enough. Yes, i am aware of the LimeRFE but this have too much different functionality, too high price point and does not meet the required power output.

I know about the QRP Labs 10W linear amplifier, but that product does not have the required amplification level and the output power wont fit.

I know about the products from Mini-Circuits. The prices they ask for are just too high. For example the ZKL-1R5+ have a too low output power but is already expensive. The ZHL-50W-GANX+ that look to fit the amplification need have a insane high price.

It also looks like most professional grade amplifiers are pure amplifiers. They have just a one direction TX path and no switch for the RX path to be able to receive on the same RF port. Is there some already existing hardware out there that is modular to solve this point? Some device where i could configure the power level at what its switching the TX and RX line.

I hope i would get some additional help in this forum to maybe find the best solution for this need.
 

WSAC829

Mike Oscar 225
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EN64ak
I want to use a computer connected over RJ45 or USB to a general purpose SDR for CB transmission and reception.
You can connect the X6100 via USB to a PC. I use HDSDR with it. However that’s not really needed as the X6100 already has a waterfall display and a nifty recording/playback feature when using the 3rd party firmware. It also works great for CB. That’s my main use of this radio. Having the ability to “sand bag” on the other HF bands is fun, and i also like listening to shortwave radio when i’m bored. The built in battery is good for a couple hours, and with a proper telescopic antenna the X6100 can be used as a handheld also as it has a built in microphone. If CB TX and RX with a SDR device is your main objective, i don’t know of anything else that’s semi budget friendly that’ll fit your needs. There are loads of cheap SDR receivers like this available though. Or maybe a RadioBerry might fit your needs.
 
Last edited:

prcguy

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Jun 30, 2006
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So Cal - Richardson, TX - Tewksbury, MA
I have an amp that will do what is needed and puts out up to 150w running on 28V but a very low drive level amp that can take in a few mw and put out more than a few watts is not a very common item. I recently bought an amp for a specific project that do about 7w out with 1 or 2 mw drive over the 1.8 to 54MHz range and it runs off 12V. You can use this amp to feed a typical CB amp to any power level you can afford.

Here is a link to the 7w low drive amp. HF Power Amplifier Module 7W 1.8-54 MHz SW Shortwave for Ham Radio SSB AM CW FM | eBay
 

cbsdr

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Messages
8
but a very low drive level amp that can take in a few mw and put out more than a few watts is not a very common item.
I was searching for a reason why this is typical but can not find anything.

Here is a link to the 7w low drive amp
Thanks. I already knew about this amp that is named RBS-RF600. I also know about the XDT-LINPA05 with a variable amplification knob.

I tried to find a solution that is not based on two amplifiers chained one after the other. I was hoping to have a cleaner signal output when i do not chain amplifiers. Am i wrong about avoiding chained amplifiers? Is maybe the middle point between these two amplifiers a good point to install a band filter or at least a lowpass filter so having two amplifiers chained would have this benefit? Or does the filter have to be at the end of the amplifier chain?
7W is not that far away from the 20W i have as a goal. I was hoping to reach the goal with one amplifier.
 

mmckenna

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You know, when I typed my response, I almost said something to the effect of this being a good question for prcguy.

I'm intrigued by this set up. Let us know how it goes.
 

cbsdr

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2025
Messages
8
I just found the good quality solution for my request i think. There is a company in Ukraine that is producing exactly what i am asking here for.

Their products on eBay: 60dbmco on eBay
Their website: 60dBm.com Online Store - 60dBm.com Online Store

They produce 0dBm (1mW) to 50dBm (100W) amplifier like this one here: 100W RD100HHF1 13.5v HF power amplifier, for SDR DUO, CW SSB FM FT8 1-55 MHz | eBay
And this here is the 20W product based on RD15HVF1 i asked for in the first post when i disable the build in PA in the Hackrf that reduces the PA output from about 10-13dBm down to to 0dBm: 20W HF +50MHz 6M PA 24v RF Power Amplifier for HAM radio, AM CW SSB FM FT8 | eBay The version with PTT port and a case: 10W HF/6M PA 13.5v RF Power Amplifier for HAM radio, CASED, AM CW SSB FT8 | eBay
And this here is the 50W product that require exactly the input power of the Hackrf with turned on PA in the Hackrf that would produce 10-13dBm output build around a RD16HHF1 50W broadband HF/6M RF power amplifier, 1.0-55 MHz - 60dBm.com Online Store

Here is a review of one of their other amplifiers that target the normal 5W-QRP market named Neptune:
 
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