This post is a collection of some of the first questions asked by the community about HackRF Pro shortly after we announced it. Questions were asked by folks across our various social media accounts and in our Discord server. The answers given here are expanded versions of how the folks on our team responded to the public question we observed.

Why is it called HackRF Pro and not HackRF Two?

We felt that “Pro” expressed the idea that this is a refinement of the HackRF One design and that “Two” would more likely be interpreted as a revolutionary design. Our goal was to make a better HackRF One, not to make something as revolutionary as HackRF One was when it was new. We did consider “10”, “360”, and “Tau”.

What is the baseband bandwidth of HackRF Pro?

In normal operation, HackRF Pro supports up to 20 Msps with 8-bit I and Q samples over USB, just like HackRF One. Internally, HackRF Pro uses a sample rate of up to 40 Msps with decimation and interpolation performed in an FPGA. At lower USB sample rates HackRF Pro supports an extended-precision mode with 16-bit samples and an effective number of bits (ENOB) of 9 to 11, depending on the sample rate. We’re also developing a half-precision mode that uses 4-bit samples at up to 40 Msps over USB.

Some tools allow tuning up to 7.25 GHz with HackRF One. Is the limit of 7.1 GHz on HackRF Pro correct or just “suggested”?

7.1 GHz is the highest tuning frequency that should work reliably with HackRF Pro. You can try tuning up to 7.25 GHz, but it may fail (as may HackRF One). Unlike HackRF One, the performance of HackRF Pro up to 7 GHz is pretty good. HackRF One is quite lossy above 6.1 or 6.2 GHz.

Will there be different host tools and libraries for interacting with HackRF One vs. HackRF Pro?

We’re adding features to libhackrf and hackrf-tools. In the future, there may be some software specially written for HackRF Pro, but we anticipate that most software will continue to support any HackRF (including Pro, One, Jawbreaker, and rad1o). Backward compatibility was our primary goal for HackRF Pro. We tried hard to find ways to enhance the HackRF One design without radical changes to the architecture that would make compatibility difficult.

Will the hardware design be published online before this starts shipping?

Yes, like all of our electronic designs, we will publish the entire hardware design under an open source license online before shipping HackRF Pro. Our mission at Great Scott Gadgets is to put open source tools into the hands of innovative people.

Does that mean no more cracking the case open to set up triggers?

That’s right! Both CLKIN and CLKOUT can be configured to connect internally to either the trigger input or trigger output signal.

Is HackRF Pro compatible with Portapack H4M ?

Yes, we’ve tested with H4M and a few other PortaPacks, including the original PortaPack H1 from ShareBrained Technology. To the best of our knowledge, HackRF Pro is compatible with all PortaPacks; however, we can’t guarantee this.

Will Opera Cake be improved so that it can take full advantage of HackRF Pro’s frequency range?

A new revision of Opera Cake is likely, but we are not working on it yet.

How is RF port protection enhanced on HackRF Pro?

HackRF Pro has the same reverse current protection diode on the RF port bias tee that is present on newer revisions of HackRF One. This has been quite effective in improving amplifier robustness in HackRF One r9 and r10. In addition to over-voltage protection provided by the diode, the bias tee on HackRF Pro features over-current protection. HackRF Pro has new amplifiers, replacing the obsolete part on HackRF One. ESD protection has been enhanced on HackRF Pro, and the RF port is also protected from high RF power by a PIN-Schottky limiter.

Will HackRF Pro be suitable for classroom use?

Yes. We even added a little feature with classroom use in mind: It is possible to hardware-disable transmit mode by cutting one trace on the PCB.

Do you have any projects in mind for the extended frequency range of HackRF Pro?

We’re excited to try HackRF Pro with new very low power (VLP) devices that operate in the 6 GHz band. We’ve already had success receiving WWVB at 60 kHz.

We’re thrilled to announce HackRF Pro, the newest addition to the Great Scott Gadgets family of Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms!

Building on the legacy of HackRF One, HackRF Pro is an SDR peripheral that enables transmission or reception of radio signals from 100 kHz to 6 GHz. Like its predecessor, HackRF Pro is open source hardware and designed for versatility, whether you’re developing wireless tech, researching the security of wireless devices, tinkering as a hobbyist, learning or teaching about the RF spectrum, or building advanced custom firmware.

What Makes HackRF Pro Different?

HackRF Pro takes everything users love about HackRF One and improves upon it with many new enhancements. Here’s what you can expect:

• Wider frequency range (100 kHz – 6 GHz operating; tunable from 0 Hz to 7.1 GHz)

• Improved RF performance with flatter frequency response

• USB Type-C connector

• Built-in TCXO for superior timing stability

• Upgraded logic from CPLD to a power-efficient FPGA

• DC spike eliminated

• Extended precision mode with 16-bit samples for low sample rates (ENOB 9–11 typical)

• Half-precision mode with 4-bit samples at up to 40 Msps

• More RAM and flash memory for custom firmware

• Installed shielding for better RF isolation

• Trigger input/output via clock connectors

• Future-proofed PCB design with space for add-ons

• Improved power management

• Enhanced RF port protection

• Facility to hardware-disable transmit mode

And yes, it’s still:

• Compatible with GNU Radio, SDR#, and many other tools

• Fully open source

• Designed to work seamlessly with accessories like Opera Cake and most PortaPacks and third-party enclosures

Backward Compatible and Forward Thinking

HackRF Pro maintains backward compatibility with HackRF One—your existing software stack will work right out of the box. But we’re not stopping there. We’ll also be releasing a migration guide for developers who want to unlock HackRF Pro’s enhanced capabilities.

Preorder Now — Shipping This September

The HackRF Pro is now available for pre-order through our authorized resellers. Production begins in July 2025, with initial shipments slated for September 2025.

Please note: HackRF Pro comes in a sleek injection-molded plastic enclosure. USB cable and antenna are not included, but we recommend ANT500 as a great starter antenna.

Learn More

Visit the HackRF Pro product page for full specs and reseller pre-order links. The open source design, migration guide, and user documentation will be published prior to the first shipment. We invite you to join the discussion in the #hackrf channel on our Discord server!

The belated February 2025 recipient for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program is Cles Facil, one of the oldest French student astronautics clubs, operating at INSA Lyon in France. They are currently working on a project to track rockets in flight using multi-lateration. They plan to use HackRF One on the rocket to transmit signals in the 868 MHz ISM band to multiple ground stations with RTL-SDR receivers and measure velocity using the Doppler effect. The students of Cles Facil will be participating in this year’s C’Space, a national event organized by CNES where students launch experimental rockets.

Cles Facil has finished the design of the rocket’s body and has begun the manufacturing process. Currently, they are designing PCBs in Altium and experimenting with GNU Radio to develop their communication systems. They have told us that HackRF One is the right device for their project because it offers the flexibility and performance they will need for transmitting signals in the 868 MHz ISM band, which is essential for their multi-lateration tracking system. Its ability to operate as a wideband SDR will allow them to experiment with various communication protocols and adapt it to their specific needs, such as Doppler shift measurement for velocity tracking. Additionally, its open source nature integrates well with their existing work in GNU Radio, making it an ideal fit for the rocket’s communication system.

This application for the Free Stuff program stood out to the Great Scott Gadgets team due to Cles Facil’s demonstration of knowledge and in-depth explanation of how HackRF One will benefit their project’s development. We are excited to see the finished result of their project and are wishing them luck at C’Space!

The belated January 2025 recipient for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program is Tobias Trauth on behalf of H.O.M.E. makerspace, which is part of Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences. Tobias has informed us that members of H.O.M.E. are interested in amateur radio (called Amateurfunk in Germany) and have access to older equipment, but are looking to upgrade to more modern gear.

The folks at H.O.M.E. will be creating a portable setup that can communicate over QO-100, a well-known geostationary satellite, consisting of HackRF One, a 5W PA, and a 200Ah LiFePo4 Battery in a custom housing that will contain potential laptop and antenna mounts. In addition, they currently have a parabolic 2.4GHz dish for uplink and are looking into downlink options. Tobias says that the HackRF One will also be their tool to show people that there are more ways of communication that can be accessed digitally and are independent of the internet and mobile phones.

H.O.M.E. hosts all kinds of events that encourage people to bring their project ideas to life. One of their main focuses is to educate people so they are able to become technologically self-sufficient. Tobias also tells us that an important part of their work is the attempt to keep their costs close to zero, so members can explore and create without worrying about their wallet. H.O.M.E. plans on eventually attending schools and universities and bringing amateur radio to the people in their community, rather than luring them into their “dusty shack.”

We are delighted to be able to provide a HackRF One to H.O.M.E. Makerspace so their community can offer workshops and educational experiences for members of their community. We wish them the best of luck and hope they have fun!

The belated December 2024 recipient for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program is Adrian Lam from Victoria, Australia! Adrian is a high school STEM teacher at a small, independent school and wants to create a Wireless Exploration Lab for his students, aimed at teaching the fundamentals of wireless communication systems.

The Wireless Exploration Lab will introduce students aged 14-18 to concepts such as radio wave propagation, spectrum analysis, and digital modulation, linking these concepts to the science/technology curriculum and real-world applications like IoT, mobile networks, and satellite communications. Once the lab is ready, students will lead a project of designing and deploying a school-wide weather data station network using low-power wireless sensors. They will use HackRF One to visualize and analyze the wireless signals sent by these sensors, gaining hands-on experience with software-defined radio. The station will record weather metrics (temperature, humidity, and pressure), transmitting data via RF signals for display on a central dashboard. The program is designed to encourage awareness and an appreciation of sustainability practices in addition to STEM teaching, and include students from other local schools, as well as members from the community.

Adrian says that his students are already familiar with how to use a Raspberry Pi for data collection, and they have developed the initial framework for their weather station network, including the construction of basic sensor modules and a prototype dashboard for displaying data. HackRF One is ideal for the Wireless Exploration Lab because of its versatility, ease of use, and compatibility with educational software like GNU Radio. Its wide frequency range (1 MHz to 6 GHz) will allow students to explore a broad spectrum of signals, from the sensors’ low-power transmissions to real-world signals like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. As a half-duplex transceiver, it can not only receive signals for analysis but also transmit, enabling students to simulate wireless protocols and test their designs. HackRF One’s programmability will allow them to introduce advanced topics such as modulation techniques and spectrum efficiency, fostering a deeper understanding of SDR technology.

We will be sending Adrian a HackRF One to support his students in their ongoing development of the Wireless Exploration Lab and weather monitoring project. Thank you Adrian for introducing your students to the wonderful world of open source hardware and wireless communication! We are looking forward to seeing what you all accomplish together.

The belated November 2024 recipients for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program are the folks at iMagineLab makerspace in Antwerp, Belgium! iMagineLab is home to a community of students and tech enthusiasts alike that gather weekly to collaborate on and share knowledge for open source projects.

Thomas Janssen from iMagineLab has informed us of the makerspace’s upcoming project to build a digital radio receiver for receiving and decoding NOAA weather signals using open source software. Their goal is to then visualize NOAA weather images and collect and display data to create a weather monitoring station based on RF signals!

Thomas has also mentioned that iMagineLab hosts and participates in workshops and hackathons, covering a variety of topics such as software-defined radio (SDR), IoT, and embedded systems. He says that the availability of HackRF devices would significantly enhance their group’s ability to offer hands-on learning experiences in these areas. Additionally, having HackRF devices at the makerspace will allow members to conduct practical experiments and contribute to open source SDR projects, such as GNU Radio.

This application for the Free Stuff program stood out to the team here at Great Scott Gadgets because of its focus on community impact and education. The HackRF One will not only be used to develop a weather monitoring station, but find life after the project’s completion and be used in upcoming educational curriculum and open source contributions. We are excited to see what the iMagineLab team accomplishes with their new HackRF One!

The belated October 2024 recipient for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program is Dustin Chambliss, who teaches at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi! Dustin currently teaches a 2 year electronics program and aims to revive an older and outdated communication course to focus on more modern technology. By obtaining a HackRF One, Dustin will be able to teach students about wireless communication including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular, and provide hardware for the updated curriculum. We are excited to be providing Dustin and his students with a HackRF One to continue their educational journeys and stay up to date with the ins and outs of modern wireless communication!

The United States Trade Representative invited comments from the public this past month to assist them in making recommendations about how to address so-called “unfair trade practices by other countries” and “non-reciprocal trade relationships”. This is the public comment I left today on the USTR docket. I have also submitted similar comments to my senators and representative in Congress.

“I am deeply alarmed by the Trump administration’s decision last week to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, as well as further increase tariffs on imports from China. As the CEO of Great Scott Gadgets, a small Colorado-based business that designs, manufactures, and distributes open-source computer hardware to domestic and international resellers, I am directly impacted by these policies. The total tariff on the goods we import from China has now skyrocketed to 45%, placing an unsustainable burden on our company.

Our business relies on a stable global supply chain, free trade, and strong relationships with resellers and suppliers worldwide—relationships that have taken over a decade to build. The imposition of these tariffs jeopardizes our company as well as countless other US businesses that depend on international trade. Tariffs will not only damage the U.S. economy but have already deeply strained our relationships with our closest allies and trading partners.

The reality is that technology companies like ours depend on China’s well-established supply chain, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, and specialized technical expertise, resources that are in critically short supply in the U.S. The Section 301 tariffs imposed in 2018 have already harmed our business, yet they did nothing to create viable alternatives. Raising these tariffs further will not miraculously generate the resources needed to shift manufacturing away from China; it will only worsen the damage.

The administration attempts to justify more tariffs on Chinese goods by pointing out the U.S.-China trade deficit, but this deficit is not China’s fault—it is the result of decades of inadequate U.S. investment in technical education, supply chain infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing capacity. If the U.S. wants to compete, we are going to have to commit to long-term, strategic investments in these areas, as China’s government has been doing for a generation. The CHIPS Act was a step in the right direction, but its benefits will take many more years to materialize. In the meantime, businesses like ours are being pushed to the brink.”

We’ve recently published the second video in our Cynthion training series, so if you want to go deeper into exploring and experimenting with USB, this is for you. In this video, Martin explains the basics and evolution of Facedancer and demonstrates how to use Cynthion and Facedancer to emulate a PS5 controller. If you haven’t already, check out the first video- Sniffing PS5 Controller Packets with Cynthion.

The belated September 2024 recipient for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program is Allen Paschel of Orlando, Florida in the United States. Allen is the president of The Maker Effect Foundation which exists to inspire everyone to create! The Maker Effect Foundation is a non-profit organization that runs a maker space and teaches classes at schools, libraries, and events. The maker space has CNC machines, laser etcher/cutters, 3D Printers, vacuum forming equipment, welding tools, electronic tools, and other arts tools. Soon they will be able to add software-defined radio to that list of tools as we are sending them a HackRF One! Once received, The Maker Effect Foundation will use their HackRF One to develop interest in software-defined radio in their community.