Tagged: portapack H4M

Sn0ren Tests the HackRF Pro Portapack H4M Pro

Over on YouTube, RF enthusiast sn0ren has posted a video reviewing the new 'HackRF Pro Portapack H4M Pro'. The HackRF Pro is the latest official version of the popular HackRF software-defined radio. It started shipping to customers back in January 2026, and it includes improvements such as improved noise figure measurements, a USB-C port, increased frequency limits, a TCXO, and an improved, flatter frequency response.

The Portapack H4M is currently the most recommended portapack product for the HackRF. A Portapack is a separate PCB board that piggybacks on a HackRF board and turns the HackRF into a portable device that can receive and transmit various signals in the field.

In the video, sn0ren starts by showing a performance comparison between the HackRF and HackRF Pro, noting increased signal strength with the HackRF Pro. The Portapack H4M Pro appears to mostly be a change in order to fit the new HackRF Pro PCB layout, but there are some minor improvements that sn0ren finds in the video, such as better buttons, a slightly larger case, a removable battery lid, metal screws, and a lanyard hole. 

The Biggest HackRF Upgrade in Over a Decade

Two YouTube Reviews of the new PortaRF – A New HackRF Portapack Combo

Recently, OpenSourceSDRLab, a Chinese store and lab that sells existing SDR products, and some unique products of their own design, has started taking pre-orders for their new "PortaRF" product. 

The PortaRF melds the HackRF and Portapack into a single PCB. They advertise it as an evolution of the PortaPack H4M, which is their popular clone of the original PortaPack, upgraded from the original. The PortaPack H4M has become one the most recommended HackRF PortaPack options on the market, even surpassing the original HackRF PortaPack, due to its high quality, excellent features, and significantly lower cost compared to the original.

The PortaRF features several improvements, including a larger 4" IPS screen compared to the 3.2" non-IPS screen on the H4M, increased flash storage from 1MB to 2MB, a higher internal battery capacity of 3000 mAh, and the addition of a new joystick control. Interestingly, OpenSourceSDRLab has also indicated that the production version may come with an AI module, which will allow the PortaRF to respond to voice commands.

The PortaRF is expected to ship around November 20, and it costs US$220, shipped from China. In comparison, the PortaPack H4M sells for US$165, shipped from China.

Recently, two reviews of the PortaRF were uploaded to YouTube. The first is by TechMinds, which provides an overview of the features and opens it up, showing the internals.

PortaRF - A NEW HackRF PortaPack Combo In One Single Board

The second review is from sn0ren who also reviews the features, and shows the internals. Sn0ren also makes some notes about his likes and dislikes with the new design.

HackRF Portapack Evolved? This is PortaRF