Description

PRE ORDER – ESTIMATED RELEASE DATE 11/1/2026

 

Introducing: the Rabbit-Labs H4R v2 // Now with HackRF Pro

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▌PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

>> THE SPECTRUM DOESN’T WAIT. NEITHER SHOULD YOUR GEAR. <<

The H4R is back. And it brought an upgrade.

The Rabbit-Labs H4R has always been the most refined portable HackRF bundle we’ve ever built. A hand-assembled, individually tested, field-ready SDR platform rated 5 stars across every review. Now we’re taking it to the next level.

The H4R now ships with the HackRF Pro at its core.

The global semiconductor squeeze driven by the AI chip craze has made sourcing the components for the Clifford Heath HackRF increasingly difficult. Rather than compromise on quality or availability, we made the call: the H4R moves forward with a board built on the open-source HackRF Pro design, the next-generation evolution of the HackRF One platform. The HackRF has always been open-source hardware. That means the full design files, schematics, and specifications are publicly available, and boards built faithfully to that design deliver the same performance regardless of who assembled them. Same architecture. Same components. Same results. Ten years of improvements baked in.

This isn’t a downgrade. This isn’t a substitution. This is a generational leap.

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HackRF Pro vs. HackRF One / Clifford Heath: What Changed

The HackRF Pro represents a decade of refinement over the original HackRF One architecture. Here’s what the Pro brings to your H4R:

Feature	HackRF One / Clifford Heath	HackRF Pro
Frequency Range	1 MHz – 6 GHz	100 kHz – 6 GHz (10x lower floor)
Tunable Range	1 MHz – 6 GHz	0 Hz – 7.1 GHz
DC Spike	Present (a known annoyance)	Eliminated
Timing Reference	External TCXO required for precision	Built-in TCXO
USB Connector	Micro-USB	USB Type-C
Processing	CPLD	FPGA (more efficient, more capable)
RAM / Flash	Standard	Increased
RF Performance	Good	Flatter frequency response, fewer phantom signals
Internal Shielding	Minimal	Shielding plates for reduced spurious signals
Front-End Protection	Basic	Improved ESD and overvoltage protection
Sampling Modes	8-bit I/Q, up to 20 MSps	8-bit I/Q up to 20 MSps + 16-bit extended precision mode + 40 MHz half-resolution mode
Power Management	Standard	Improved efficiency
Software Compatibility	Native	Fully backward compatible with all HackRF One software
PortaPack Compatible	Yes	Yes

The headline upgrades: the frequency floor drops from 1 MHz to 100 kHz, opening up longwave, MF, and HF receive without a downconverter. The DC spike that plagued every HackRF One user is gone. The built-in TCXO means you get precision timing out of the box instead of hunting for the exact right crystal (which, if you’ve read our original H4R listing, you know was a saga unto itself). And the new sampling modes, including 16-bit extended precision, give you flexibility that simply wasn’t possible on the old architecture.

Everything that works with the HackRF One works with the HackRF Pro. GNU Radio, SDR#, Universal Radio Hacker, PortaPack firmware, Mayhem. All of it. No migration, no breaking changes, no compatibility headaches. The HackRF Pro design maintains full backward compatibility with the HackRF One architecture. You get all the new hardware, and all your existing workflows stay intact.

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What’s Included

The H4R ships fully preassembled with the HackRF Pro enclosed in your choice of custom case:

• Multiple case colors available
• Aluminum standoffs and flush-fit metal screws for a clean, rugged build
• Rabbit-Labs upgraded lithium-ion battery for extended field sessions
• PK Cell CR2032 button cell battery for PortaPack timekeeping
• Temperature compensated timing crystal (TCXO) sourced to exact specifications
• 8GB SD card preloaded with the Rabbit-Labs splash screen
• Clock SMAs included soldered
• SMA covers included for those that wish to remove the soldered Clock SMAs, a set of covers are included to plug the holes (color chosen at random, courtesy of the “Portapack Butt Plug” 3D print by Jeremiah.o.A.T)

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Antenna Bundle: Four High-Gain Antennas Included

The H4R ships with a quad-antenna pack tuned for the frequencies that actually matter:

• 315 MHz whip antenna (Rabbit-Labs custom, 100% in-house design, overperforms on garage doors, legacy remotes, automotive systems)
• 433 MHz (IoT devices, remote controls, key fobs)
• 915 MHz (LoRa, smart meters, industrial sensors)
• 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee)

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LIMITED PREORDER: Custom Rear Case Personalization

For this preorder only, every H4R comes with the option to have your logo, callsign, nickname, handle, or custom text printed directly onto the rear case at no additional charge. This is a personalization option we plan to charge for in the future, but preorder customers get it included at no cost.

Want your ham callsign on the back? Your handle? Your logo? Your company name? Just tell us at checkout. We’ll print it.

This is a limited preorder. Unit count is capped. When they’re claimed, the preorder closes and you’ll be waiting for the official release drop. Preorder customers receive their units first, before general availability.

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Built the Rabbit-Labs Way

Every H4R is hand-assembled and individually tested in the USA before it ships. No corner-cutting. No compromises. No shortcuts. Just a unit you can trust in the field, whether you’re doing security research, RF analysis, signal intelligence, ham radio experimentation, or just seeing what’s floating through the air around you.

The original H4R earned a perfect 5.00-star rating across every review. We built that reputation one unit at a time. The HackRF Pro upgrade makes the best H4R we’ve ever shipped.

Lock onto the spectrum. Own the airwaves.

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▌README.TXT – GETTING STARTED

Step 1: Charge Connect the included USB Type-C cable to charge the internal lithium-ion battery. Allow a full charge before first use for maximum field time.

Step 2: Insert SD Card The included 8GB SD card comes preloaded with the Rabbit-Labs splash screen and is ready to use. Insert it into the PortaPack’s SD slot.

Step 3: Attach Antenna Select the appropriate antenna for your target frequency band and connect it to the SMA RF port. Start with the 433 MHz antenna for general ISM band exploration, or the 2.4 GHz for WiFi/Bluetooth work.

Step 4: Power On Press the power button on the PortaPack. The Rabbit-Labs splash screen will display, followed by the main firmware menu.

Step 5: Explore Navigate the PortaPack firmware menus to access receivers, transmitters, signal analysis tools, and capture functions. The HackRF Pro’s expanded frequency range (100 kHz – 6 GHz) means you can now explore longwave and MF bands that were previously out of reach without a downconverter.

Step 6: Connect to Host (Optional) For GNU Radio, SDR#, Universal Radio Hacker, or other host-based SDR software, connect the HackRF Pro to your computer via USB-C. The device will appear as a standard HackRF. No special drivers or migration steps are required.

PRO TIP: The HackRF Pro’s built-in TCXO means you no longer need an external clock reference for frequency-accurate work. If you’ve been running a TCXO on your clock SMAs with the old H4R, you can retire it. The Pro handles precision timing internally.

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▌DEBUG LOG – TROUBLESHOOTING

ISSUE: PortaPack firmware doesn’t detect the HackRF Pro. FIX: The HackRF Pro is backward compatible with HackRF One firmware, but some very old PortaPack firmware builds may not recognize the Pro’s hardware ID. Update to the latest Mayhem firmware release, which includes full HackRF Pro support. If using custom firmware, ensure it’s been updated to support the Pro’s device descriptor.

ISSUE: “DC spike” visible in the center of the spectrum display. FIX: The HackRF Pro eliminates the DC spike that plagued the HackRF One. If you see a persistent spike at your center frequency, it is likely a software artifact from the PortaPack firmware’s display rendering, not a hardware issue. Try offset tuning (shift the center frequency slightly) to verify. Update firmware if the issue persists.

ISSUE: Signals appear weaker than on my previous HackRF One. FIX: The HackRF Pro’s improved front-end protection circuit can cause signals to appear approximately 5 dB weaker at the same gain settings compared to the HackRF One. This is normal and is a tradeoff for better ESD and overvoltage protection. Increase the LNA or VGA gain slightly to compensate. The Pro’s improved dynamic range means you can push gain higher before introducing artifacts.

ISSUE: Can’t receive signals below 1 MHz. FIX: The HackRF Pro supports frequencies down to 100 kHz, but your PortaPack firmware must support this extended range. Older firmware may still enforce the HackRF One’s 1 MHz lower limit. Update to the latest firmware build that includes HackRF Pro frequency range support. When using host software (GNU Radio, SDR#), ensure you’re running the latest libhackrf.

ISSUE: USB-C cable doesn’t fit / connection intermittent. FIX: The HackRF Pro uses USB Type-C, not the Micro-USB of the HackRF One. Use a quality USB-C cable (not all USB-C cables support data transfer; some are charge-only). If the connection is intermittent, try a different cable before suspecting the port.

ISSUE: Clock SMAs: do I still need an external TCXO? FIX: No. The HackRF Pro includes a built-in TCXO. The clock SMAs are for users who need external clock synchronization for multi-device setups, GPS disciplined oscillator input, or other advanced timing applications. For normal use, the internal TCXO provides excellent frequency accuracy out of the box.

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▌SYS.WARN – WARNINGS, HAZARDS & DISCLAIMERS

FCC Regulatory Information.

This device is sold as test equipment and is exempt from FCC equipment authorization (Certification / SDoC) under 47 CFR § 15.103. It does not carry an FCC ID. This exemption applies to devices marketed and sold for use as test and measurement instruments. While exempt from equipment authorization, this device remains subject to the general conditions of operation under 47 CFR Part 15:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Per 47 CFR § 15.5, the operator of this device has no vested right to continued use of any given frequency. If this device causes harmful interference to authorized radio services, the operator must cease operation upon notification from the FCC and must remedy the interference before resuming use.

FCC Part 97: Amateur Radio Use. Licensed amateur radio operators may use this device to transmit on authorized amateur radio bands in accordance with their license class and FCC Part 97 regulations. Amateur radio transmissions must include proper station identification (callsign) as required by 47 CFR § 97.119. Output power must not exceed the limits specified for the operator’s license class and the band in use.

FCC Part 15: Unlicensed Transmission. Unlicensed intentional radiation under Part 15 is permitted only within the extremely low power limits specified in 47 CFR Part 15, Subpart C. The HackRF Pro’s output power capability exceeds Part 15 limits on most frequencies. Transmitting above Part 15 power limits without an appropriate license (amateur, experimental, or other) is a violation of federal law and may result in enforcement action by the FCC, including fines and equipment seizure.

FCC Experimental Licenses. Users conducting research or testing that requires transmission outside of amateur bands or above Part 15 limits may apply for an FCC Experimental License (47 CFR Part 5). It is the user’s sole responsibility to obtain any required licenses before transmitting.

Intended Use / Legal Compliance. The Rabbit-Labs H4R is a software-defined radio capable of both transmitting and receiving radio signals from 100 kHz to 6 GHz. Transmission of radio signals is regulated by law. In the United States, unlicensed transmission on most frequencies is illegal under FCC regulations (47 CFR). Licensed amateur radio operators may transmit on authorized amateur bands in accordance with their license class. Users are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable FCC regulations, local laws, and international radio regulations. Do not transmit on frequencies you are not authorized to use. Rabbit-Labs LLC does not condone, encourage, or support any unauthorized, illegal, or malicious use of this product.

RF Exposure Warning. This device is capable of transmitting RF energy. Do not transmit with the antenna near your body, face, or eyes. Maintain appropriate distance from the antenna during transmission. Follow FCC RF exposure guidelines (OET Bulletin 65).

Lithium Battery Safety. This device contains a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and a CR2032 lithium coin cell. Do not puncture, crush, disassemble, or expose to temperatures above 140°F / 60°C. Do not charge with a charger other than a standard USB Type-C power source. If the battery appears swollen or the device emits unusual heat or odor, discontinue use immediately. Dispose of batteries in accordance with local regulations. If a CR2032 coin cell is swallowed, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.

Maximum RF Input Power. The HackRF Pro’s SMA RF port has a maximum safe input level. Do not connect the device directly to a transmitter output, amplifier, or other high-power RF source without appropriate external attenuation. Exceeding the maximum input power rating will damage the front-end circuitry.

ESD Sensitivity. The HackRF Pro contains sensitive RF and digital electronics. Handle with appropriate ESD precautions, particularly when connecting or disconnecting antennas, SMA cables, or the clock SMA headers.

Preorder Terms. This is a limited preorder. Units are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Preorder customers will receive their units before general availability. Custom rear case personalization is included at no additional charge during the preorder period only. Estimated ship dates will be communicated via email. All standard Rabbit-Labs return and refund policies apply.

Export Control. This product is classified under ECCN 5A991.g and HTS 8517.62.0090. Export restrictions may apply depending on destination country and end-use. It is the buyer’s responsibility to comply with all applicable US export regulations (EAR).

Not a Toy. This is a precision radio frequency test instrument. Keep out of reach of children. Not intended for users under the age of 13.

Open-Source Hardware Notice. The HackRF Pro is an open-source hardware design originally created by Great Scott Gadgets. The HackRF Pro board used in the Rabbit-Labs H4R is built to the published open-source specifications and is not an officially branded Great Scott Gadgets product. “HackRF” is a trademark of Great Scott Gadgets; its use here is for design compatibility reference only and does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship by Great Scott Gadgets.

Disclaimer. The Rabbit-Labs H4R is assembled, tested, and sold by Rabbit-Labs LLC. This product is sold “as-is” for educational, research, amateur radio, and personal use. 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.

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© Rabbit-Labs LLC. All rights reserved. The Rabbit-Labs name and logo are trademarks of Rabbit-Labs LLC. “HackRF” is a trademark of Great Scott Gadgets, used here for design compatibility reference only. This product is not manufactured by or affiliated with Great Scott Gadgets. The HackRF Pro design is open-source hardware. PortaPack is a community hardware project. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.