This project is an RF Signal Scanner built using an ESP32, AD8317 RF detector, and various other components. It's designed to detect and measure RF signals in the environment and display the signal strength on an OLED display. It's useful to find hidden cameras, wiretapping devices, and other RF-enabled devices.
594 points | 175 commentspage 3
amelius 10/24/2024|
Might also be useful for initial EMC compliance testing, maybe.
beardyw 10/24/2024||
Those 128x64 displays are easy to use, but frustratingly variable. They have differing start up sequences which using the wrong one leaves a blank screen.
severino 10/24/2024|
> They have differing start up sequences which using the wrong one leaves a blank screen.
You mean, bricked?
beardyw 10/24/2024||
No, just no clue why it is unhappy.
bloopernova 10/24/2024||
This is really cool! Have you considered using a Software Defined Radio or would that not improve capabilities enough to be worth the hassle?
RamboRogers 10/26/2024|
I have an SDR as well and I just got a TinySA, neither really do this.
swayvil 10/24/2024||
A thing for talking to rfids might do this. Some phones have an rfid thing. If it could sweep a frequency range.
rightbyte 10/26/2024||
Really interesting.
Could you please make a video showing well it works for different sources?
I've made a few of these now, and they work on cell phones/laptops and cameras.
rightbyte 10/26/2024||
Nice thank you.
kshahkshah 10/25/2024||
I lost a keyfob a long while ago. I wonder if this could help me find it?
roydivision 10/25/2024||
I'm confused, what RF does a camera typically emit, and why?
rapjr9 10/25/2024|
Usually WiFi, so it doesn't need a cable to transmit the video/audio. The video processing electronics in cameras probably also emit some RF but that would be at a variety of much lower frequencies and only detectable with something like a loop of wire and an oscilloscope over very short distances, like this:
Thanks, that makes sense. So all this implies the camera is transmitting information elsewhere and not storing it locally.
taeefnajib 10/25/2024||
That's fascinating! Did you check the accuracy?
RamboRogers 10/26/2024|
Just tested texting/browsing web etc. it needs a solid signal for a second or so.
marsh_mellow 10/24/2024||
Very cool! Could this work for detecting nearby drones?
RamboRogers 10/24/2024|
I would think it would work really well for that usage case. You could tune the antenna to focus on the in use bands. The automatic baselining solves a lot of this.
goodpoint 10/24/2024|
This is ineffective against most recording devices.
RamboRogers 10/24/2024|
Only if it’s transmitting, this detects rf. It can’t detect ears.
goodpoint 10/24/2024||
...and only if the transmission is frequent enough.
RamboRogers 10/24/2024||
100%, it needs to transmit pretty much constantly. Something like an H264 stream or an audio stream via TCP or UDP over something like wifi.