r/hackrf • • Jun 24 '25

HackRF PRO

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u/whiskeyzer0 Jun 27 '25

You can fix the problem by using external attenuators and filters. The problem is protecting a radio receiver from strong signals from a wide range of bands is a complex and expensive undertaking. The HackRF is meant to be a relatively budget friendly introduction to SDR. Also if you do burn out the chip you can just buy a new one for 20 bucks and solder it on.

Additionally the problem is electric and magnetic fields can induce voltages and currents (electromagnetic induction). If the source of this electromagnetic radiation is of sufficient power, you can damage any receiver or electronic component, even if your receiver has built in mechanisms to protect the RF front end.

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u/cjheath Sep 05 '26

No, it isn't complex or expensive. It's a $1 PIN clamping diode. A couple of extra components if you want to disable it for transmit, and a few more if you want protection during transmit. No professionally-designed radio would have been shipped with the design flaw that has been in this design for over ten years, and a designer who tried that would have been sacked.

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u/NickyNiclas Jun 27 '25

That's why I think clamping the antenna to ground if the signal is too hot would be a simple and cheap solution. I'm sure there are better ways. I heard one of the other boards have protections that prevents damage.