halow_scanner: An RTL-SDR Based 802.11aH HaLow Channel Scanner

Over on GitHub we've recently noticed the release of halow_scanner, a Python script that uses an RTL-SDR to scan the 802.11ah (WiFi HaLow) channels in the sub-GHz spectrum to determined which channels have the least noise/interference.

Unlike standard WiFi, which operates outside of the RTL-SDRs range at 2.4 GHz+, 802.11ah operates in the sub-GHz ISM bands, which RTL-SDRs can easily receive.

Use of these lower frequencies gives 802.11ah HaLow excellent signal penetration, making it useful for long-range, low-power IoT devices. With 802.11ah HaLow links, several kilometers can be achieved.

The software's features include:

• 🔍 Scans all 802.11ah HaLow channels in the US 902-928 MHz band
• 📊 Supports multiple channel bandwidths: 1, 2, 4, and 8 MHz
• 📡 Uses RTL-SDR for spectrum analysis
• 🎯 Identifies the cleanest channel with lowest noise floor
• 📈 Provides detailed power spectrum measurements
• ⚡ Fast scanning with averaging for accuracy