Introduction
PortaPack is an add-on for the HackRF Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform that adds a touchscreen display, buttons, and additional functionality to transform it into a portable SDR device. There are many versions of PortaPack available on the market, created by different manufacturers, often with varying features such as larger screens, added charging capabilities, or different main chips due to price and availability.
This guide provides an overview of various PortaPack versions, their compatibility with Mayhem, and key differences between models. Please ensure you verify hardware compatibility with the vendor before purchasing, as manufacturers frequently change components without notice.
Table of Contents
- PortaPack Versions Comparison
- HackRF Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Detailed PortaPack Version Descriptions
Portapack Versions Comparison
There are many different versions of PortaPack, mainly due to Chinese companies putting their own take of the design such as adding a larger screen, adding charging or changing the main chip due to price and availability.
Most manufactures changes components frequently without notifying anyone, thus you should always ask the vendor the compatibility of their hardware before you buy, even if a specific vendor/store/seller already has a lot of positive reviews.
Asking which one to buy in the community is welcomed, however it could be not helping since things changing fast and no one can guarantee you that something will be 100% working.
The current list is:
| Version | Compatible | Screen Size | Onboard Mic | Battery IC | GPIO Port | AK4951 Codec | WM8731 SSOP Codec | WM8731L QFN Codec | CPLD | INS 8002E Audio Amp | LTK 8002D Audio Amp | CS 8122S Audio Amp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 R1 | 👍 | 2.4" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP64 | |||||
| H1 R2 | 👍 | 2.4" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP64 | |||||
| H2M (Mayhem edition) | 👍 | 3.2" | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP100 | |||||
| H2 (H2 R1) | 👍 | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP64 | |||||
| H2 (maxgeek) | ❓ | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | QFP64 | ||||||
| H2 (old OpenSource SDRLab version) | 👍 | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP64 | ✔️ | ||||
| H2+ R2 | 👍 | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP64 | |||||
| H2+ R3 | 👍 | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP100 | ✔️ | ||||
| H2+ R4 | 👍 | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP100 | ✔️ | ||||
| H2+ R5 | 👍 | 3.2" | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |||||||
| H3 | 💩 | 2.4" | ❓ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP64 | |||||
| H3 mini/ H2 Plus | 💩 | 3.2" | ❓ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | QFP100 | |||||
| H4 | 👍 | 3.2" | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | QFP100 | |||||
| H4M (Mayhem edition) | ❤️👍 | 3.2" | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | QFP100 |
Note
- Any versions of H3 are incompatible (we will never do support of this hardware), do not buy them as they're scam.
- "H2+" and "H2 Plus" are different devices, even if their names sounds similar.
Legend
- 👍 Compatible
- ❓ Compatibility unknown
- ✔️ Included
- 🚫 Not compatible
- ❤️ Recommended
HackRF
If you want to support the original creators of the HackRF, we would highly recommend purchasing a GSG HackRF though one of their resellers listed here. https://greatscottgadgets.com/hackrf/one/
FAQ
Q: Which one should I buy?
A: Please refer to the comparison table above.
Q: Should I buy a pre-assembled unit or buy parts separately and assemble it myself?
A: It depends on your skills. If it’s your first time assembling a device, there might be challenges. However, if you want an original/genuine HackRF, buying the parts separately is your only choice.
Q: How do I know if the device from a specific vendor/store/seller works or is compatible?
A: Check the hints at the top of this page and always verify compatibility with the vendor.
Detailed PortaPack Version Descriptions
Below are a more detailed look at the different variations of PortaPacks
H1(R1/R2)
Differences:
- The H1R1 has a WM8731 audio chip
- The H1R2 has a AK4951 audio chip
- Some versions have a touch screen while a lot of the clones do not
H2
Differences:
- Bigger touch screen
- Different control/button layout
- Built in battery
H2M (Mayhem Edition)
Tip
Click the images to see them on their full glory
Differences:
- Custom PCB built specifically for Mayhem with all the top contributors names silkscreened on the back of it and the Mayhem logo on the front.
- This usually comes with a new crystal clear case so you can see all the beautiful silkscreen art.
- Comes with a built in microphone.
- Has new CPLD code so the reboot button doesn't freeze the device unlike some of the other H2's on the market.
H2 (old OpenSourceSDRLab version)
Differences:
- AK4951 with 3W CS8122S Amplifier chip (INS8002e clone) -- speaker shuts off automatically when headphones plugged in
- NOTE: Do not enable AK4951 Speaker Output icon on title bar on this model or the AK4951 IC may overheat (CS8122S and AK4951 speaker outputs seem to be tied together on PCB)
H2+ R1
Differences:
- Similar to H2 in early versions except claim for better TXCO spec(questionable) and board marked as H2+.
- Battery state indicator with 4 leds under Encoder Knob for 25%,50%,75%,100%,flashing while charging, steady when that level full.
H2+ R2
Differences:
- Similar to H2+R1 except using the WM8731 Codec and has an added audio power amp INS8002E. The front face of the board is marked as H2+ as in H2+R1 above.
H2+ R3
Differences
- Similar to H2+R2 except
- This versions the standard CPLD 5M40ZE64CN5 was replaced with EPM240T100C5N ( due to cost and supply issues by supplier "OpenSourceSDR Lab") which has caused some issues ( they issued their work around fixes in a version 1.4.3) and resolved in version 1.5.x due to a lot of hard work.
H2+ R4
Differences
- Similar to the H2+R3 except it now uses the AG256SL100 IC as well as the 28 pin QFN WM8731L instead of the 38 pin QFN AK4951. Marked as "PCB v3.6 mmdvm.club".
- 3W LTK8002D SOP8 Class D amplifier for the speaker (INS8002e clone).
- Power IC IP5306 SOP8.
- Inserting headphone plug doesn't disable the speaker.
H2+ R5
Bascially H2 with internal microphone and a independent power switch (but only pad/hole exist in some of the boards.)
Community reported it works (including the internal microphone), but other infomation are unknown.
H3
Uses custom close source firmware. Not compatible with Mayhem. Do not buy or support as it's a scam
This also exists as H2 Plus. Uses custom close source firmware (Ref.). **Not compatible with Mayhem(Ref.).
(NEW) H4M (Mayhem Edition)
Tip
Click the images to see them on their full glory
Differences:
- 🔌 GPIO port! The H4M adds a GPIO port so users can make their own add-ons for the H4M, just like the flipper.
- 🔋 Advanced battery management IC (battery %, voltage, current/draw, etc...)
- 🕹️ Single power on/off switch.
- 🚫 When powered off, the battery will no longer phantom drain.
- 📱 flat design, going back to the iPod style click wheel. (so no more broken buttons and encoders!)
- ⚡ Improved charge speeds.
- 🎙️ Built in mic (and mic switch between internal and external).
- 🖥️ Matte screen.
- 💎 This usually comes with a new crystal clear case so you can see all the beautiful silkscreen art.
- 🛠️ Custom PCB built specifically for Mayhem with all the top contributors names silkscreened on the back of it and the Mayhem logo on the front.
Where to buy?
Directly from the manufacturer OpenSourcesSDRLab
Worldwide - OpenSourcesSDRLab
Worldwide - AliExpress
US and EU - AliExpress