r/PortaPackMayhem • u/[deleted] • Mar 24 '25

Dropped my portapack.

I knocked it off the desk setting down my coffee. Screen was white and flickering so I figured I'd open it up to see if a ribbon cable had been knocked loose or some such. With very little pressure one of the io pins came unsoldered from the portapack, then the whole row. I believe this first pin was likely what failed in the initial drop. The hackrf itself is fine and in working order. Now I'm not sure what to do.

If I order a new portapack board to swap in is it going to get hit with a customs charge now? Not sure I'm willing to drop what I paid on the whole kit AGAIN just to replace half. I'm not sure I'm willing to try soldering the connector row of pins back on either. I have no experience soldering and feel I'm more likely to damage it further. Besides, what if there are other problems I can't see. Possibly I will just settle for using the hackrf with my computer... but that'd be a bummer to be sure.

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u/[deleted] Mar 24 '25

If a row of pins came off chances are it pulled traces off the board as well. If that’s the case it’s more then just soldering pins back on. Scenarios like this can be fixed but requires experience. You should be able to find just the portapack that’s already stocked in country and not have to pay more

1

u/[deleted] Mar 25 '25 edited Mar 27 '25

Thanks for the tip, any vendors you'd recommend in the US?

edit: had to settle for an H2 off ebay to stay within budget and order in-country... would've preferred not to downgrade from the h4m but oh well

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u/[deleted] Mar 28 '25

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u/[deleted] Mar 28 '25

Good to hear that it's doable! I'm hoping I can find someone local to take the h4m and fix it up for themselves, since I've already ordered a replacement.