The discovery
I am constantly looking for interesting devices, kits, etc. During my online research I came across the PortaPack Mayhem MH4 – a promising SDR system for technology enthusiasts.
After ordering, a waiting period of about a month began. When the package finally arrived it contained:
- PortaPack H2 housing
- HackRF One Board
- Various antennas for different frequency ranges
Overview
The PortaPack Mayhem MH4 is a highly flexible Software Defined Radio (SDR) experimental device based on the HackRF platform. It provides radio amateurs and technology enthusiasts with extensive options for signal analysis, decoding and manipulation.
Technical specifications
- Hardware basis: HackRF One SDR
- Display: 320×240 pixel TFT LCD
- Frequency range: 1 MHz – 6 GHz
- Sampling rate: up to 20 MHz
- Dynamic range: >70 dB
- Processor: ARM Cortex-M4
- Memory: 32 MB Flash, microSD expansion
- PortaPack H4 housing and display
- Mayhem Firmware with advanced features
HackRF One output power
- Maximum transmission power: +10 dBm (10 milliwatts)
- Frequency range: 1 MHz – 6 GHz
- Typical output power: 0 to +5 dBm
- Power setting resolution: 1 dB
- At higher frequencies the output power drops minimally
Important: The actual transmission power varies depending on:
- Frequency band
- Modulation type
- Temperature
- Power supply
Available tools and features
Signal analysis and reception
- Spectrum Analyzer
- Real-time frequency spectrum analysis
- Adjustable bandwidth and resolution
- Ideal for frequency identification
- Radio Receiver
- AM/FM/SSB/WFM demodulation
- Wide frequency range
- Precise frequency adjustment
Signal decoding
- POCSAG Decoder
- Decryption of pager messages
- Support various building drags
- ADS-B reception
- Decode aircraft transponder signals
- Position data and flight information
- APRS Tracker
- Amateur Radio Packet Reporting System
- Tracking and decoding of amateur radio position signals
- Fox Hunt
- Bearing transmitter location tool
- Helps locate radio signal sources
- Supports amateur radio operators in search activities
- Weather
- Weather satellite decoding
- Reception and analysis of weather satellite signals
- Presentation of meteorological data
- AIS Boats
- Automatic identification system for ships
- Reception and decoding of ship transponder signals
- Real-time ship tracking
- ERT Meter
- Energy consumption measurement
- Analysis of electricity meter signals
- Decoding of energy meter transmissions
- Level
- Signal strength measurement
- Precise field strength analysis
- Graphical representation of signal intensities
- Radiosnd
- Radiosonde decoding
- Reception of Wetterballон radio signals
- Analysis of atmospheric data
Signal manipulation
- Signal Generator
- Generation of test signals
- Different types of modulation
- Frequency and amplitude control
- SIGGEN
- Advanced signal generation
- Customizable waveforms
Communication tools
- RTTY Decoder
- Teletype message decoding
- Support various building drags
- CTCSS/DCS Decoder
- Audio frequency access control
- Identification of subtone frequencies
Special functions
- Tsakuovski Replay Attack
- Recording and repeating radio signals
- Analysis tool for security research
- RSSI measurement
- Signal strength indicator
- Precise field strength measurement
…
and many more apps for many areas of application
Personal comments
As a radio amateur and technology student, the PortaPack Mayhem MH4 offers me incredible opportunities for researching and analyzing radio signals. Its versatility and expandability make it an essential tool for anyone interested in radio communications and wireless technologies. In my opinion, the Portapck MH4 is the big brother of the Pinball Zero and complements the setup perfectly! To top it off, everything is open source and so you can take part in the project and make your contribution. The code base and hardware data can be constantly expanded by the community.
73 de Michael OE8Y(a)ML
Important note: Stay away from illegal gadgets! All functions must be used in accordance with local regulations and laws.