Description

▌PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

>> HEAR WHAT THE NOISE FLOOR IS HIDING. <<

Every signal you’ve ever missed is still out there. Buried in the noise. Drowned by the thermal hiss of your receiver chain. Too faint to decode, too weak to even register on the waterfall. You’re not deaf. Your front end is just underpowered.

The Rabbit-Labs GhostAmp is a wideband low noise amplifier (LNA) that takes weak signals across a massive 1 GHz to 10 GHz frequency range and amplifies them by 40 dB while adding almost nothing to the noise floor. That’s a 10,000x power multiplication. Signals that were invisible a second ago light up like runway markers on your spectrum display.

This isn’t a narrowband preamp tuned to one slice of spectrum. The GhostAmp covers everything from L-band GPS and GNSS (1.575 GHz) through S-band weather radar, C-band satellite, WiFi at 2.4 and 5 GHz, ISM 5.8, and deep into X-band at 10 GHz. One amplifier. One signal path. The entire microwave landscape, amplified and delivered to your receiver with surgical precision.

Key Specs:

• Frequency Range: 1 GHz – 10 GHz continuous coverage
• Gain: 40 dB typical
• Input P1dB: +16 dBm (compression point)
• Maximum Output Power: +18 dBm
• Impedance: 50 Ohm (input and output)
• Connectors: SMA Female
• Form Factor: Compact shielded module

Drop it inline between your antenna and your SDR. Feed it clean DC power. Watch your waterfall come alive with signals you never knew were there. Satellite downlinks. Radar pulses. Microwave backhaul. Telemetry. The spectrum above 1 GHz is dense, and most receivers can’t hear half of what’s up there without a quality LNA at the front of the chain.

Built for the signal chain, not the junk drawer. The GhostAmp’s high input P1dB (+16 dBm) means it handles strong signals without clipping or generating intermod products that trash your receive band. In dense RF environments with nearby transmitters, cheap LNAs fold. The GhostAmp holds its composure.

Pair it with a HackRF, RTL-SDR, or any wideband receiver for instant receive sensitivity improvement across the microwave bands. Stack it behind a bandpass filter for targeted weak-signal work. Or run it standalone as a general-purpose lab preamp for test and measurement.

Your receiver was always capable. It just needed better ears.

▌README.TXT – INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Compatibility: This is a general-purpose wideband LNA compatible with any 50-Ohm receiver, SDR, or test equipment operating within its 1-10 GHz frequency range. Works with HackRF, RTL-SDR (with appropriate downconverter), USRP, SDRplay, and other wideband receive platforms.

Step 1: Inspect Remove the module from packaging and inspect the SMA connectors for shipping damage. Verify no debris or foreign material is present in the connector interfaces.

Step 2: Connect RF Path Connect your antenna or RF source to the module’s INPUT SMA port. Connect the module’s OUTPUT SMA port to your receiver or SDR input. Use quality 50-Ohm coaxial cable rated for your operating frequency. At microwave frequencies, cable loss matters. Keep runs short. Use low-loss cable (RG-316 minimum, LMR-195 or better preferred for runs over 12 inches).

Step 3: Apply Power Supply clean, regulated DC power to the module per the manufacturer’s specifications. Use a filtered, low-ripple supply. Noisy power supplies introduce noise into the amplifier, which defeats the entire purpose of a low noise amplifier.

Step 4: Receive Open your SDR software or receiver. You should see an immediate improvement in signal-to-noise ratio across the 1-10 GHz range. Weak signals that were previously at or below the noise floor should now be visible and decodable.

Step 5: Optimize For best results, place the LNA as close to the antenna as physically possible. Every inch of cable between the antenna and the LNA adds loss and degrades your system noise figure. The ideal position is directly at the antenna feed point, with the longer cable run going from the LNA output to your receiver.

PRO TIP: If you’re seeing signals everywhere after installing the LNA and your waterfall looks like a Christmas tree, you may be overloading your receiver’s ADC. Back off the RF gain in your SDR software, or add a variable attenuator between the LNA output and your receiver input. 40 dB of gain is a lot. Sometimes you need to dial it back.

▌DEBUG LOG – TROUBLESHOOTING

ISSUE: No improvement in signal reception / noise floor unchanged. FIX: Verify DC power is connected and the module is drawing current. Check that input and output are not reversed. Confirm your coaxial connections are tight. A loose SMA connection at microwave frequencies is essentially an open circuit. Also verify your receiver/SDR is tuned to a frequency within the LNA’s 1-10 GHz operating range.

ISSUE: Receiver is overloaded / signals are clipping / intermod products appearing. FIX: 40 dB of gain may be too much for your receiver in a strong-signal environment. Add a 10-20 dB attenuator between the LNA output and your receiver input. Alternatively, reduce RF gain in your SDR software. If strong out-of-band signals are causing issues, add a bandpass filter before the LNA input to reject the offending signals before they get amplified.

ISSUE: Increased noise floor / poor signal-to-noise ratio despite LNA. FIX: Check your power supply. Switch-mode supplies, USB hubs, and unshielded cables can inject noise directly into the LNA. Try a linear regulated supply or a clean battery source. Also inspect your coaxial cables for damage. A damaged shield at microwave frequencies radiates interference directly into the signal path.

ISSUE: Performance degrades above certain frequencies. FIX: LNA gain naturally rolls off at the upper end of the operating range. Performance at 8-10 GHz will not be identical to performance at 2-3 GHz. This is normal physics, not a defect. Additionally, cable loss increases dramatically with frequency. A cable that works fine at 2 GHz may eat half your signal at 10 GHz. Use the shortest, lowest-loss cable possible for high-frequency work.

ISSUE: Module runs warm during continuous operation. FIX: Some thermal output is normal for an active amplifier under continuous operation. Ensure adequate airflow around the module. For extended sessions, consider mounting the module with thermal contact to a metal surface that can act as a heatsink. Do not enclose in an airtight space during prolonged use.

ISSUE: Oscillation or instability (unexpected tones appearing on the waterfall). FIX: High-gain wideband amplifiers can oscillate if output energy couples back to the input. Ensure input and output cables are physically separated and not running parallel. Use shielded, quality connectors. If oscillation persists, add a 3-6 dB attenuator at the input to break the feedback path.

▌SYS.WARN – WARNINGS, HAZARDS & DISCLAIMERS

Receive-Only Device. This is a receive-path amplifier (LNA) designed to amplify incoming signals for reception and analysis. It is not designed or intended for use in a transmit signal chain. Do not use this device to amplify signals for transmission. Doing so may damage the module and may violate FCC regulations.

Input Power Limit. Do not exceed +16 dBm at the input. Exceeding the input P1dB compression point will cause signal distortion and may permanently damage the amplifier. If your operating environment includes nearby high-power transmitters, use appropriate filtering or attenuation at the input to protect the module.

Legal Compliance. Reception and monitoring of radio signals is subject to federal, state, and local laws. While the reception of most radio signals is legal in the United States, the interception of certain communications (cellular telephone, encrypted law enforcement, certain government frequencies) may be prohibited under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. Section 2511) and other applicable statutes. The end user is solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding signal reception and monitoring in their jurisdiction.

Power Supply Requirements. Use only a clean, regulated DC power supply within the module’s rated voltage range. Do not exceed rated voltage. Observe correct polarity. Reverse polarity or overvoltage may permanently damage the module. Unregulated or noisy power supplies will degrade amplifier performance.

ESD Sensitivity. This module contains sensitive RF semiconductors. Handle with appropriate electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions. Avoid touching components or connector center pins directly. Store in an anti-static bag when not in use.

Not a Toy. This product contains small electronic components and exposed circuit board elements. Keep out of reach of small children.

Intended Use. This product is designed for use by radio enthusiasts, RF engineers, researchers, and authorized professionals in lawful signal reception, testing, and experimentation. Rabbit-Labs LLC does not condone or support the use of this product for any illegal purpose.

Disclaimer. This product is sold “as-is” for use by qualified individuals. While designed for reliable wideband receive-path amplification, long-term performance may vary based on usage, environmental conditions, and power supply quality. Rabbit-Labs LLC makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding fitness for a particular purpose. Maximum liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the product.

© Rabbit-Labs LLC. All rights reserved. The Rabbit-Labs name and logo are trademarks of Rabbit-Labs LLC.