RF Hunter
Hardware
rf signal detector
SHOW HN2024
How HN took it
13 positive, 45 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 18 critical, out of 76 comments about the project. Thread score -0.11.
Performance: 2 for, 9 againstIdea: 5 for, 5 againstPricing: 3 for, 0 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 2 againstExecution: 1 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Useful, cool project with a practical use
From 3 comments
Cool project! I'd buy one of these if they were pre-assembled.
ffujdefvjg on HNThanks for this useful project. Can I trouble you to add a circuit diagram of the latest rev? So much easier than reading text.
sriram_malhar on HNThis is really cool! Have you considered using a Software Defined Radio or would that not improve capabilities enough to be worth the hassle?
bloopernova on HN
Objections
Cannot detect non-transmitting or burst-mode recording devices
From 3 comments
Title is misleading. It only detects RF. A hidden camera could record to storage for later upload in which case wouldn’t be transmitting continuously.
coin on HN>> It's useful to find hidden cameras, wiretapping devices, and other RF-enabled devices. Nope. It is used to find RF-emitting devices, the sort of low-sophistication stuff you…
sandworm101 on HNThis is ineffective against most recording devices.
goodpoint on HN
Sweep and sensitivity design questioned; not a real spectrum analyzer
From 1 comment
This doesn't do anything useful. To detect RF transmissions you need to sweep a range of frequencies stopping at each frequency for a period of time for the Rx amp to sample. The…
omagramma on HN
Build quality looks poor in the Amazon photos
From 1 comment
Following the amazon links in the cpp brought me to this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FHZXTCZ Holy fsck, the build quality must be shitty if even the amazon photo looks…
ajsnigrutin on HN
Requests
Circuit diagram of the latest revision
From 1 comment
Thanks for this useful project. Can I trouble you to add a circuit diagram of the latest rev? So much easier than reading text.
sriram_malhar on HN
Video showing detection of different sources
From 1 comment
Really interesting. Could you please make a video showing well it works for different sources?
rightbyte on HN
Phone app version or Flipper Zero version
From 2 comments
Interesting, thank you for sharing! Maybe somebody knows: Is there something similar for the Flipper Zero?
o1o1o1 on HNlooks good, now I just need a version of the same software that runs on my phone so I don't need to buy all these materials and slap them together
jdthedisciple on HN
Questions
Detection range and sensitivity
From 1 comment
What is the sensitivity/range? I've always wanted something like this to carry in the woods to detect game/trail cameras. Not for any nefarious purpose, but to get an idea of how…
kubectl_h on HN
Whether it detects short bursts
From 1 comment
OP, cool project. I have questions though: How does the device detect very short bursts? After looking up the data sheet of the RF detector I believe you would need additional…
slow_typist on HN
Whether it is confused by nearby WiFi
From 1 comment
Does it get confused by nearby WiFi transmitters?
amelius on HN
Alternatives named
Thermal cameras and TinySA spectrum analyzer
From 1 comment
The most effective way would be use a Thermal Camera, because a normal "hidden camera" you get from eBay will consume around 5 Watts - a significant heat dissipation. For others,…
yftsui on HN
Non-linear junction detectors
From 1 comment
Fun fact, you can actually detect semiconductor devices even if they are powered off and hence emit no radiation unless the design took specific precautions. This works by…
danbruc on HN
Phone IR camera check with lights off
From 1 comment
A way easier solution to this is to turn off all of the lights and look around with your phone camera. The phone camera will pick up the bright IR lights that hidden cameras use…
declan_roberts on HN