RF Detector to detect hidden transmissions

October 28, 2018 1:00PM Whiteboy Officiel

In modern days the surveillance was becoming more easier and smaller, which makes us more
concerned (worried) about our privacy. RF bugs are the most smallest, easy-to-operate wireless type of
surveillance devices. Since they use the radio (RF) signals to transmit at some distances, we cannot
detect them without any RF Detector device to visualize it.

What is RF Detector?

Fortunately, RF detectors are becoming more popular and easier to use, so we can detect and locate any
hidden surveillance bugs more easily. RF detector is an device that receives background radio signals
from the air, then demodulates and converts it to any visible (LED single diode or bargraph display) to
see or audible (speaker) we can listen.

Let me explain how it works. RF detector is made of rectifier diodes, transistors, capacitors, resistors
and an amplifier (with variable gain to adjust sensitivity). First, the rectifier components convert the
RF high frequency signals to DC voltage depending on the signal’s received power. It is measured in
watts (W) or decibels (dB) for more accuracy. Rectifier sensitivity and dynamic range are also
measured in decibels (dB).
The output voltage is stabilized and filtered by the resistors, capacitors I said previously. It is amplified
by the amplifier and converted to anything (sound, light) we can visualize.
Variable gain is done by potentiometer (variable resistor) that we can trim to adjust. To get higher
sensitivity, adjust the potentiometer up to increase the amplifier gain.
To get lower sensitivity, adjust the potentiometer to decrease it.

Most (and less) popular types of RF detectors

There are three types of detectors, (made of diodes and transistors) they have different operation
characteristics including minimum sensitivity, gain, dynamic range, temperature, etc.

1. RMS Detector

This detector provides a DC voltage that is inversely proportional to the log of root mean square (RMS)
incoming power, with straightforward scaling of mV/dB (millivolts per decibel). When correctly
designed and tuned, they can provide more accurate detection and good linearity. They operate in the
frequencies ranging from DC (0Hz) to GHz (gigahertz), which covers all established types of RF
transmitter devices (from AC powerlines to microwave radars)

2. Logarithmic Detector (Log)

- Still provides a DC voltage but it is log-linearly proportional to the incoming signal power.
- Not responding to the RMS value
- Wider dynamic range (typ. 30dB)
- dBm to DC Volts
- Wide frequency response ranging from DC to GHz
- Can tolerate extreme weather conditions (temperature)
3. Peak (envelope) detector

- Temperature-compensated detector
- Provides a DC voltage which is the peak value of that incoming signal’s envelope
- Only for medium to high power RF signals!
- No longer provide accuracy and linearity for extreme weather conditions!
- Used in demodulators in modern AM/FM radio receivers.

Conclusion/Summary

- Now we can decide which type of RF detector has the highest performance, accuracy and efficiency
for detecting hidden surveillance
- It is important to focus at the characteristics of the RF detector devices
-Be careful when using them! Devices may contain parts that are sensitive to damages and
stresses.
- Any damage can prevent it from working properly!

Thanks for your attention

For more information, contact email: rj57963756@gmail.com

by Whiteboy Officiel