PortaPack H2 Hack RF One Antennas

[@aggressivepillow]

Appreciate it. Never seen a right hand drive model lol

[@plenus7392]

Awesome video, the BNC tip especially is important

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

I had never thought of *THREAD* life on the antenna connector. My concern is rigidly mounting anything to the _SMA_ connector, snagging the antenna on some semi-fixed object (with the ensuing *leverage)*, and breaking the connection between the connector and the PCB.

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

I could see that. I’ve had the bnc on mine since I got the unit and haven’t had any problems yet.

[@rollinthesweets6147]

Doing the lord’s work my man, thank you kindly 🤙🏽

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

Amen bro. My pleasure.

[@Skol_Qc]

To anyone that wants to do the same SMA modification than @KJ7VUB. To do it safely I took an SMA adapter (90 degree or any other with femal connector) and cut the female portion off to get the threaded nut out of it. I then filed down the connector nut to the desired height I wanted my HackRF SMA connector to be and then I screwed it on the device. Then I simply filed down the excess male connector that was sticking out of the nut with a belt sander (could be done by hand with a fine file) and simply removed the nut. When removing the nut the last thread gets revers taped by the nut and if there a small thread portion that roled down it will stick out and will be easily removable with a pair of tweezer. Then you get perfect threads entry and can easily screw back the BNC adapter. Thanks again @KJ7VUB for pointing out how you managed to get that BNC flush. I wanted to know if I could do this for a little while now.

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@Skol_Qc thanks for clarifying this. I think this will help those who wish to have the flush mount look. I’d like to add, if one isn’t comfortable doing any form of filing or grinding a stack of 1/8” o rings will fill the gap. Or a flat nylon black washer or 3d printed one.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Great videos. You keep this up and this channel will be very successful. Especially considering the topic(s). Lots of us radio/gadget nerds out here.

[@olavmartiniustomter5170]

Hey, great video. I just got the 27MHz antenna and testing as we speak. Doubt it's actually capable at receiving very good at the working frequency, but it seems to receive pretty well on higher frequency. Problem is, I'm quite new to this and unsure how I would try and calculate length for that specific antenna since it came with little to no info about it. Any tips or knowledge to share about that specific antenna? I know how to calculate for a dipole antenna, but this one seems like a special monopole antenna :D

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@olavmartiniustomter5170 thanks man! There’s actually an antenna calculator built into the Mayhem firmware that can guide you for your desired frequency.

[@plenus7392]

Fun fact: The signal stick is made with an alloy called nitinol, it does some cool shit, the US even made a model engine based around it due to its shape memory

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

Ya. Crazy cool stuff. Does some weird things in the winter. At least my first one did. Would bend in freezing temps. Then once warmed up, snap back to straight.

[@johnnysjumps]

Great video! I have my rf on the way and I'm watching a bunch of videos to get familiar. I'm curious what the signal read range is on the 433mhz antenna? Like how far away from a remote for something like a door bell do you have to be to capture it? I guess it depends on the range the bell is capable of transmitting to vs the power of the RF?

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

I’d have to throw it on my analyzer then run some test. I’ll add it to my video to do list.

[@B2DT11B]

What is the max length of cable you can use? I’m trying to wire an antenna from my basement to the roof.

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@B2DT11B I’m really not sure. I’ve gone as far as 20’ with no issues. So if using quality cable with little signal loss, I would guesstimate 50’ or more. 🤞

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@B2DT11B the amp portion on the H2 can boost incoming signal if you seeing no signal.

[@B2DT11B]

@@Jeremiah.o.A.T k. My plan is to put a cone on the roof and add a SPF 5v amp to my HackRF. The goal is to hear as much as possible from a base station.

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@B2DT11B great idea. I run a discone as well. But still need to install my mast.

[@ReefMimic]

Where do you buy extra rubber grommets for the sma? The O ring

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@ReefMimic I 3D printed them. But have seen them for sale on Amazon. amzn.to/4cRt1qQ

[@RoyalNatangwe]

Is there a wide band range that is good for transmitting? 3:41

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

I will have to do some research. Unfortunately when it comes to transmitting. A antenna tuned to what you transmit is always the best case, it usually doesn’t work as receiving. Since transmitting requires tuning, dbi, swr, and sometimes power, these parameters make it difficult to have a “one size fits all” antenna. I could be mistaken and there may be one out there. But currently I am not aware of one. If I find one I will gladly post on it.

[@sh4ba]

also my adapter doesnt screw all the way into my porta pack how come yours does?

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@sh4ba I filed my sma connection down for it to sit flush. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have spare ones to solder on. You could get a o ring to fill the gap.

[@sh4ba]

if its not too much to ask is there any o ring that you reccomend that would fit for my situation

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@sh4ba I’d say a 3/16 or 3/8 internal diameter o ring. They stretch so I’d go small. You could always take your PortaPack in or the antenna and eye ball a o ring that will work. I have a o ring assortment case so I just snagged one out of there. Perks of being a handy/maintenance man for a long time.

[@sh4ba]

What is the best one for sending?

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@sh4ba that will depend entirely on what frequency you want to transmit on. UHF/VHF I recommend the Signal Stuff Signal Stick.

[@johnsandlin09]

is there a certain version Hackrf one with porta pack I should buy? has anyone had any experience buying from one from aliexpress?

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@johnsandlin09 the one I use is from Ali. But if your weary about them go with one from opensourcesdrlab.com/

[@oetken007]

Mirrored videos somehow confuse me 😂

[@alqods80]

So do one needs an bnc F to sma F adapter for the hackrf?

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@alqods80 you don’t “need” a bnc at all, unless you want to easily swap antennas that are also bnc and save the thread life of your HRF sma. But if you choose to go the bnc route you’ll need sma male to bnc female. Link below. amzn.to/4dEOuUv

[@alqods80]

@@Jeremiah.o.A.T i have sma antennas that came with the hackrf

[@Jeremiah.o.A.T]

@@alqods80 nice. The more you dive into it and all its features you’ll find yourself collecting a ton of antennas. So the bnc route is the way to go. IMO

[@SPUTNIK6996]

@@Jeremiah.o.A.Tthanks for this recommendation and pointing out how important these are for device longevity

[@StephenMattison66]

Great video, great info, tyvm! One suggestion, gotta stop saying "right?'" at the end of sentences, never say this! It's manipulative bs & a bad habit. This is a term that should ONLY be used in situations, for example, when you're talking to your kids about not holding firecrackers when you light them. "Billy, we NEVER hold firecrackers in our hand to light them, RIGHT!?"

[@jessecool2980]

Lol you sound like the dumb bastard that commented in kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6m4lKyYmsagf80