Software-defined radio (SDR) technology can be used for many interesting technical experiments. With listening only SDR you can do many interesting things, but having a SDR that can also transmit opens many new doors. Here are some interesting videos related to SDR and cyber security:
Universal Radio Hacker – Replay Attack With HackRF
Download here: https://github.com/jopohl/urh
Radio Hacking: Cars, Hardware, and more! – Samy Kamkar – AppSec California 2016
Hacking Car Key Fobs with SDR
Getting Started With The HackRF, Hak5 1707
Hacking Ford Key Fobs Pt. 1 – SDR Attacks with @TB69RR – Hak5 2523
Hacking Ford Key Fobs Pt. 2 – SDR Attacks with @TB69RR – Hak5 2524
Hacking Ford Key Fobs Pt. 3 – SDR Attacks with @TB69RR – Hak5 2525
Hacking Restaurant Pagers with HackRF
Software Defined Spectrum Analyser – Hack RF
Locating Cellular Signal with HackRF Spectrum Analyzer SDR Software
GSM Sniffing: Voice Decryption 101 – Software Defined Radio Series #11
How To Listen To Trunked Police Radio And Why Im Done
Transmitting NTSC/ATSC Video With the HackRF One and Gnuradio
Check also Using a HackRF SDR to Sniff RF Emissions from a Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet and Obtain the PIN article.
272 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Grinding crystal for radios
https://youtu.be/AWoHsTUmoyQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/16/decoding-433-mhz-signals-with-arduino-raspberry-pi/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Erwin Ried’s Mayhem Hat Gives the Flipper Zero Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Capabilities — and a Camera
With its integrated camera and additional radios, this Flipper Zero accessory offers a major upgrade to the popular multi-tool.
https://www.hackster.io/news/erwin-ried-s-mayhem-hat-gives-the-flipper-zero-wi-fi-bluetooth-capabilities-and-a-camera-fb32b2846874
Tomi Engdahl says:
Analyzing 433 MHz Nexa Smart Power Plug Remote Control Signal with Arduino Uno
https://codeandlife.com/2023/01/23/analyzing-433-mhz-nexa-smart-power-plug-remote-control-signal-arduino/
Tomi Engdahl says:
HOW TO BUILD AN FM RADIO RECEIVER
https://www.circuitbasics.com/what-are-fm-receivers/
In this article, we are going to build a nice sounding little FM receiver.
Tomi Engdahl says:
TECHNICAL ARTICLES
Joko koittaa ohjelmistoradion aika?
https://etn.fi/index.php/tekniset-artikkelit/14639-joko-koittaa-ohjelmistoradion-aika
Ohjelmistopohjaisen radion synty juontaa juurensa 1970-luvulle ja rajoittui alun perin sotilassovelluksiin. Kuitenkin edistysaskel FPGA- ja DSP-signaalinkäsittelytekniikoissa, IC-pohjaisten radiolähetinvastaanottimien kehitys ja pienisoluisten langattomien verkkojen kehitys johtivat tekniikan käytön yleistymiseen 2000-luvun alussa.
Artikkelin on kirjoittanut Mouser Electronicsin Mark Patrick. Hän tuli Mouserin palvelukseen kesällä 2014 työskenneltyään aiemmin RS Componentsilla markkinointitehtävissä ja sitä ennen Texas Instrumentsissa sovelluskehityksen tuessa. Hänellä on elektroniikkainsinöörin tutkinto Coventryn yliopistosta.
Tässä artikkelissa selitetään SDR:n taustalla olevat peruskäsitteet, tutkitaan SDR:n tarjoamaa joustavuutta perinteisiin RF-arkkitehtuureihin verrattuna ja joitain suosittuja käyttötapauksia. Esittelemme mahdollisia uusia sovelluksia, jotka voivat hyötyä ohjelmistoradiosta, koska langattomien yhteyksien käytöstä tulee tärkeä osa yhteiskuntaamme.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Review of RF Sampling vs. Zero-IF Radio Architectures
Feb. 23, 2023
A deep dive into two common radio architectures compares the tradeoffs on how each solves the unique challenge of growing co-location issues.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/systems/article/21260673/analog-devices-a-review-of-rf-sampling-vs-zeroif-radio-architectures?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230224083&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
The choice of an RF architecture impacts how a radio will handle co-location issues.
Numerous tradeoffs are associated with both architectures.
For optimized cost, weight, and size, the zero-IF architecture wins on multiple accounts.
A Growing Challenge—New Wireless Neighbors
When the wireless revolution began some 30 years ago, only a handful of bands existed—confined mostly below 900 MHz—and typically there was one band per country. As demand for wireless services ramped up, new bands were steadily added. Currently, 49 bands1 are globally assigned to 5G NR alone, not counting mmWave allocations. Most of the newer spectrum is above 2.1 GHz, with bands covering 500 MHz (n78), 775 MHz (n46), 900 MHz (n77), and as high as 1200 MHz (n96).
As these new bands come online, one of the biggest challenges is how to ensure adequate receiver performance in the presence of blockers in these legacy bands. This comes mainly from the co-location requirements where they’re deployed, with bands 2, 4, and 7 in the U.S., and their counterparts, bands 1 and 3, in other regions. This is particularly critical for wideband radios servicing applications in n48 (CBRS) and any portion of n77 or n78.
Wireless demands will continue to grow in the future, and the issues with co-location and interference are always present.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Digital Library Of Amateur Radio And Communications Is A Treasure Trove
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/20/digital-library-of-amateur-radio-and-communications-is-a-treasure-trove/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/21/3d-printing-antennas-with-dielectric-resin/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/22/electromagnetic-mechanism-makes-reconfigurable-antenna/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/23/nasa-help-wanted-ham-radio-operators-please-apply/
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Linux Distro For All Your Ham Needs
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/23/a-linux-distro-for-all-your-ham-needs/
For anyone new to the world of ham radio, one of the things that takes a little getting used to is visiting the websites of authoritative experts in various fields and feeling like you’ve traveled back to the Internet of 1999. As a hobby that lends itself to extremely utilitarian amateurs, the software side can feel a little left behind like that. [Andy] aka [KB1OIQ], on the other hand, is also a Linux enthusiast and has been putting together a complete Linux distribution with everything needed to operate a radio in the modern era.
While most ham radio software seems to be developed for Windows, there is a lot available for Linux.
KB1OIQ – Andy’s Ham Radio Linux
Xubuntu Linux remastered for Amateur Radio users
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/24/hunting-for-space-pirates/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/02/27/antenna-hidden-in-holiday-lights-skirts-hoa-rules/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/04/inspect-the-rf-realm-with-augmented-reality/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/05/review-of-the-yard-stick-one-radio-dongle/
Tomi Engdahl says:
RSP1 Msi2500 Msi001 Scheme SDR Receiver Software Defined Radios Reciver 10kHz-1GHz 12Bit ADC Radios Receiving Moudle Circuit
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004122405331.html?pdp_npi=2%40dis%21EUR%21%E2%82%AC%2043%2C09%21%E2%82%AC%2021%2C97%21%21%21%21%21%402103239e16786534145748991e48ea%2112000029784734992%21btf&_t=pvid:771306ca-5a30-4825-8988-f1d41d7c1306&afTraceInfo=1005004122405331__pc__pcBridgePPC__xxxxxx__1678653414&spm=a2g0o.ppclist.product.mainProduct
RSP1 10kHz – 1GHz Msi2500 Msi001 Simplified SDR Reciver Amateur Radio
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003654127606.html?spm=a2g0o.ppclist.product.42.69cbtIXLtIXLWu&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21EUR%21%E2%82%AC%2031%2C13%21%E2%82%AC%2015%2C57%21%21%21%21%21%402103239e16786534145748991e48ea%2112000027257897597%21btf&_t=pvid:771306ca-5a30-4825-8988-f1d41d7c1306&afTraceInfo=1005003654127606__pc__pcBridgePPC__xxxxxx__1678653414
New 10khz-2Ghz 12bit ADC 60DB SNR Mini SDR Receiver Compatible With RSP1 HF AM FM SSB CW
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004750652135.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.28.aa601678n1Xi4H&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40000.326746.0&scm_id=1007.40000.326746.0&scm-url=1007.40000.326746.0&pvid=79dc2b55-0fef-4409-a938-d12187945800&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40000.326746.0,pvid:79dc2b55-0fef-4409-a938-d12187945800,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238109%23205&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000030335925289%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2230050%22%7D&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21EUR%2131.4%2120.73%21%21%21%21%21%402103239e16786542584023640e48ea%2112000030335925289%21rec%21FI%21
Tomi Engdahl says:
Brazil seizing Flipper Zero shipments to prevent use in crime https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/brazil-seizing-flipper-zero-shipments-to-prevent-use-in-crime/
The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency is seizing incoming Flipper Zero purchases due to its alleged use in criminal activity, with purchasers stating that the government agency has rejected all attempts to certify the equipment. Flipper Zero is a portable multi-function cybersecurity tool that allows pentesters and hacking enthusiasts to tinker with a wide range of hardware by supporting RFID emulation, digital access key cloning, radio communications, NFC, infrared, Bluetooth, and more. Since it was released, security researchers have demonstrated Flipper Zero’s features on social media, showing how it can trigger doorbells, perform replay attacks to open garage doors and unlock cars, and be used as a digital key
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Parts Bin Cyberdeck Built For Satellite Hacking
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/12/a-parts-bin-cyberdeck-built-for-satellite-hacking/
While there’s little in the way of hard rules dictating what constitutes a cyberdeck, one popular opinion is that it should be a piecemeal affair — a custom rig built up of whatever high-tech detritus the intrepid hacker can get their hands on, whether it be through trades or the time-honored tradition of dumpster diving. It should also be functional, and ideally, capable of some feats which would be difficult to accomplish with a garden variety laptop.
If you’re looking for an example that embraces these concepts to the fullest, look no further than the Spacedeck built by [saveitforparts]. Combining a touch screen all-in-one computer pulled from a police cruiser in the early 2000s, an RTL-SDR, and the contents of several parts bins, the rig is designed to work in conjunction with his growing collection of motorized satellite dishes to sniff out signals from space.
https://saveitforparts.wordpress.com/2023/02/08/the-saveitforparts-spacedeck-v1-a-cyberdeck-for-space/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Flipper Zero Mayhem Hat Adds Camera, More Radios
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/12/flipper-zero-mayhem-hat-adds-camera-more-radios/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/15/review-xhdata-d-219-short-wave-radio-receiver/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.sdrplay.com/sdruno/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/20/cold-war-listening-post-antennas/
Tomi Engdahl says:
logo
ECO Frequency Information System
https://efis.cept.org/
EFIS is the tool to fulfill EC Decision 2007/344/EC on the harmonised availability of information regarding spectrum use in Europe and ECC Decision (01)03 on EFIS.
https://efis.cept.org/view/search-general.do
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/27/long-distance-gaming-over-packet-radio/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/24/plan-to-jam-mobile-phones-in-schools-is-madness/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/28/hams-watch-for-meteors/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2021/10/19/the-low-down-on-long-wave-unlicensed-experimental-radio/
GETTIN’ THE BAND BACK TOGETHER
Before we dive into what the LowFER, MedFER, and HiFER bands actually are, it’s worth noting that these rules apply in the US only. That’s not to say that these bands are illegal elsewhere, but be sure to check your local frequency allocations before firing up a transmitter.
LowFER, as the name would suggest, contains the lowest frequency range of the three, falling between 160 kHz and 190 kHz, with a whopping wavelength of around one mile. Also known as the 1750-meter band, this frequency range is well-suited for long transmission paths through ground wave propagation
MedFER is the medium frequency experimental band, specifically running from 510 kHz to 1,705 kHz. Now that range may sound similar, and it should because it’s also known as the AM Broadcast band! That’s right, you can listen in on this one with your old AM radio. There’s a catch though — amateur experimenters are limited to 0.1 W of transmit power, and can only use a three-meter long antenna. While that’s fine for playing around, there’s little chance of being heard very far away over the 500 W professional stations with massive antennas that dominate the band
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/news/a-cyberdeck-for-satellite-hacking-4ecaaf3cb9fe
Tomi Engdahl says:
See Satellites In Broad Daylight With This Sky-Mapping Dish Antenna
https://hackaday.com/2023/03/31/see-satellites-in-broad-daylight-with-this-sky-mapping-dish-antenna/
If you look up at the night sky in a dark enough place, with enough patience you’re almost sure to see a satellite cross the sky. It’s pretty cool to think you’re watching light reflect off a hunk of metal zipping around the Earth fast enough to never hit it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work during the daylight hours, and you really only get to see satellites in low orbits.
Thankfully, there’s a trick that allows you to see satellites any time of day, even the ones in geosynchronous orbits — you just need to look using microwaves. That’s what [Gabe] at [saveitforparts] did with a repurposed portable satellite dish, the kind that people who really don’t like being without their satellite TV programming when they’re away from home buy and quickly sell when they realize that toting a satellite dish around is both expensive and embarrassing. They can be had for a song, and contain pretty much everything needed for satellite comms in one package: a small dish on a motorized altazimuth mount, a low-noise block amplifier (LNB), and a single-board computer that exposes a Linux shell.
After figuring out how to command the dish to specific coordinates and read the signal strength of the received transponder signals, [Gabe] was able to cobble together a Python program to automate the task. The data from these sweeps of the sky resulted in heat maps that showed a clear arc of geosynchronous satellites across the southern sky.
A cheap and (relatively) easy microwave imager / radiotelescope
https://saveitforparts.wordpress.com/2023/03/29/a-cheap-and-relatively-easy-microwave-imager-radiotelescope/
I’ve dabbled in radiotelescopes before, mostly as a way to use old TV satellite dishes. However, this time I took a satellite dish and turned it into a microwave “camera”, able to create images in the Ku band!
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/02/hackaday-links-april-2-2023/
Speaking of radio, we were turned onto a short documentary about amateur radio that’s worth a watch. Simply titled “HAM,” the film focuses on the amateur radio community in Montana (the film was produced by University of Montana students) and features Lance Collister (W7GJ), who made history in 1983 (as WA1JXN) when he contacted Owen Garriot (W5LFL) aboard the shuttle Columbia, becoming the first ham to make contact with anyone in space. The film is a good look at amateur radio and what it’s all about.
HAM – Official Documentary (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt5wZhC5crI
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reflectionless Filters
Eliminate Spurs & Intermods
https://blog.minicircuits.com/reflectionless-filters/?utm_source=mwrf&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=personif-display-reflectionless-filters&utm_campaign=03-23-bannerad
Mini-Circuits’ reflectionless filters are the only commercially available filters that absorb and internally terminate stopband signals rather than reflecting them back up the signal chain. Based on a novel, patented filter topology and produced with Mini-Circuits’ industry-leading MMIC design and manufacturing capability, these devices are a revolutionary solution to a number of unwanted effects related to embedding conventional filters in system designs. Our customers are finding innovative ways to achieve new levels of performance with these revolutionary products.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/technology/flipper-zero-banned-by-amazon-for-being-a-card-skimming-device-/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.coalfire.com/the-coalfire-blog/hacking-ham-radio-winaprs-part1
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackrf.readthedocs.io/en/latest/faq.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackers-arise.com/post/software-defined-radio-sdr-for-hackers-getting-started#amp_tf=L%C3%A4hde%3A%20%251%24s&aoh=16808959490947&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hackers-arise.com%2Fpost%2Fsoftware-defined-radio-sdr-for-hackers-getting-started
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.rigolna.com/rf-basics-technology-guide/?utm_source=ED&utm_medium=personif&utm_campaign=RF+Tech
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://blog.minicircuits.com/an-introduction-to-rf-microwave-thin-film-filter-technology/?utm_source=mwrf&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=personif-display-rf-microwave-thin-film-filter&utm_campaign=03-23-bannerad
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/22/when-elon-says-no-just-reverse-engineer-the-starlink-signal/
Tomi Engdahl says:
WiFi Cam 2.0
A camera that sees WiFi signals. Now in realtime.
https://hackaday.io/project/187780-wifi-cam-20
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/10/21/direction-finding-with-help-from-the-steam-deck/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Half Crystal Radio, Half Regenerative Radio
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/24/half-crystal-radio-half-regenerative-radio/
When a crystal radio meets a regen receiver
https://hackaday.io/project/190698-when-a-crystal-radio-meets-a-regen-receiver
A simple circuit that can work as a crystal radio (no power needed) or as a regenerative receiver for the FM band
Tomi Engdahl says:
Build Your Own Phased Array Beamformer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QXKuEYR4Bw
In this video I’ll walk you through a complete example of how to build your own low cost two channel digital beamformer. At the end, we’ll use it to track a 2.3 GHz RF signal and display its direction of arrival.
You can follow my blog series on this topic here:
https://ez.analog.com/tags/DIYRadio
The python files used in this video are found here:
https://github.com/jonkraft/Pluto_Beamformer
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/25/low-cost-rf-power-sensor-gets-all-the-details-right/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/04/27/is-an-ads-b-receiver-the-solution-for-drone-pilots/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How Software-Defined Radio is Advancing Radar Systems
April 20, 2023
Radar systems are increasingly important in many industries. However, as they carry out complex techniques, they need transceivers that can meet their needs. Software-defined radio provides a versatile and effective solution.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/systems/article/21264379/per-vices-corp-how-softwaredefined-radio-is-advancing-radar-systems?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230421082&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Cell Phone detector No IC / No Battery #shorts #zaferyildiz #short #electronics #viral #diy #led
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bGeJJ0p3La8
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/07/a-7-ghz-signal-analyser-teardown-and-a-trivial-repair/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/12/the-peak-of-vacuum-tube-radio-design/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2023/05/17/cornering-the-antenna-market/