Help! Im not receiving anything! Receive Quality Issues
Are you using the correct antenna? Is it plugged in correctly? this sounds silly, but It could be as simple as that
The gain settings are always arranged the same, VGA gain on the right and LNA on the left (both with value "40" in the image below).
The VGA or Variable Gain Amplifier can be set to any number between 0-62. It amplifies pretty much everything and is basically a fine-tuning adjustment, I find it works best between 8-16.
The LNA, or Low Noise Amplifier, can only be set to six settings: 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40. the LNA will try it's best to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. 24 or 32 work pretty well most of the time.
The RX/TX amplifier can be used to help increase receive quality, but it is delicate and discouraged most of the time.
Use of filters is highly encouraged, as they greatly help to reduce artifacts.
- These filters allow signals within a certain frequency range (the passband) to pass through while attenuating signals outside of this range. High-quality band-pass filters have sharp cutoff characteristics and minimal loss within the passband.
- Use Case: Ideal for isolating a specific frequency range (e.g., when you're interested in a particular channel or signal).
- These filters allow low-frequency signals to pass through while blocking higher-frequency signals. They are useful for removing high-frequency noise or harmonics from the spectrum.
- Use Case: Often used to reduce harmonic distortion or to limit the signal bandwidth to a desired upper frequency limit.
- These filters allow high-frequency signals to pass through while attenuating lower frequencies. They can be used to remove low-frequency noise or to block DC components.
- Use Case: Effective for eliminating low-frequency noise or drift.
- Notch filters (or band-stop filters) are used to eliminate a specific frequency or a small range of frequencies. They have a very sharp rejection band.
- Use Case: Used to eliminate strong interference from specific sources, like eliminating a local radio station's interference.
Check that the cables you are using are well shielded, and that your device is correctly grounded.
Nearby, High-Powered transmitters, such as FM stations and trunking stations, can overload your HackRF and create a lot of noise (think of it like clipping in audio). You could consider getting a band block/pass filter to block out common overloading sources like FM stations, rtl-sdr.com sells a nice 88-108 block filter for FM.
There are many devices that can cause wideband noise: Screens, USB hubs, poorly designed cables, power supplies, faulty wiring, etc.. You can go around unplugging things or flipping breakers to figure out what might be the source of noise. Simply walking outside might help as well.
Many power banks can be a local noise source, try different power banks if you can.
A few people have reported that the internal battery charger on some H2 models can cause noise when plugged in. There isn't really a fix for this unless you want to go about putting another charger. Please report as an issue if you find this issue, with detailed photos of the PCB of your H2. Check the following video to see how a normal functioning H2 does not produce extra noise related to the battery charger.
It may be entirely possible that something in the RF front end is broken, commonly the TX amp. The best way to go about troubleshooting this is to open up an issue on the HackRF Github explaining the issue, they'll try their best to guide you through it, and if you have a genuine GSG HackRF you might be able to get it replaced.
As stated before, check you cable connections and antenna. Wiggle things around and see if any dramatic change is reflected in the waterfall.
Nearby transmitter can also cause intermittent signal loss, the culprit is almost always pager traffic as those signals can be very strong and transmit intermittently. A nearby trunking repeater could also be to blame.
The H2 Internal Battery Charger can also intermittently cause noise when plugged in. Check this.
There are many devices that can cause intermittent wideband noise: Screens, USB hubs, poorly designed cables, power supplies, faulty wiring, etc.. You can go around unplugging things or flipping breakers to figure out what might be the source of noise. Simply walking outside might help as well.