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OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF · Deep Dive · 12 volumes

OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF

When you want a HackRF that fits in your jacket.

Standalone PortaPack-style chassis with built-in HackRF clone — no host PC needed.

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Volumes

  1. Vol 1 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 1 — Series Overview, Decision Tree, and Where PortaRF Sits What it is vs DIY HackRF + PortaPack, the integration deltas, buy-vs-skip vs the owned porta unit, depth indices into Vols 2-12
  2. Vol 2 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 2 — Hardware (HackRF Silicon + Integration Deltas) Clifford Heath modified HackRF silicon + PortaPack-class UI board + integrated battery + single-box mechanical design
  3. Vol 3 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 3 — External Interfaces USB-C, antenna mount, microSD, audio jack, expansion (and lack thereof), bench-tethered vs handheld operation patterns
  4. Vol 4 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 4 — Display, Buttons, and Controls PortaPack-class UI hardware, button/encoder/keyboard layout, Mayhem menu navigation, brightness vs power tradeoffs
  5. Vol 5 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 5 — Battery, Thermal, Power Profile Integrated LiPo topology, charge subsystem, per-mode current draw, thermal under sustained TX, field-deployment power discipline
  6. Vol 6 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 6 — Firmware Ecosystem The two-firmware reality (HackRF + Mayhem), Mayhem's PortaRF-relevant features, fork landscape, vendor pre-flash policy
  7. Vol 7 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 7 — Programming Environments Host-side tools, GNU Radio integration, SDRangel and alternatives, PortaRF-specific host considerations
  8. Vol 8 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 8 — Flashing and Updating Firmware Mayhem SD-card flash workflow, HackRF firmware updates via hackrf_spiflash, factory backup, recovery from a bricked Mayhem
  9. Vol 9 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 9 — Use Cases and Recipes Handheld RF workflows — standalone field recon, tethered lab work, replay, decode, sweep, I/Q capture for offline analysis
  10. Vol 10 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 10 — Custom Firmware Development Mayhem fork pattern, build toolchain, adding a custom app, PortaRF UI considerations, common pitfalls
  11. Vol 11 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 11 — Operational Posture Regional rules, antenna safety, capture data chain-of-custody, detection signatures, when-NOT-to-use, pre-engagement checklist
  12. Vol 12 OpenSourceSDRLab PortaRF Volume 12 — Cheatsheet (the laminate-ready field card) Hardware quick-facts, port mapping, firmware workflows, hackrf_* commands, Mayhem menu map, regional rules, troubleshooting, pre-engagement checklist