Amazon Bans the Flipper Zero

Just yesterday we posted about Linus Tech Tips review of the Flipper Zero. In related recent news, Flipper Zero was also banned from Amazon for being a "card skimming device". While the Flipper Zero reading the public NFC data from credit cards, it doesn't seem like it could do much more than what an Android phone could do with an NFC credit card reader app. Anyone skimming credit cards would still require the CVV code and other address details in order to put through a transaction.

This comes along from a bad string of events that has hit the Flipper Zero team. A while back PayPal froze 1.3M of its cash, requiring them to retain lawyers to force PayPal to partially release the funds. US customs then proceeded to seize its US bound shipment for inspection, then to throw salt in the wound, after releasing the goods they were billed $70,000 in storage fees for the pleasure of requiring inspection.

There are also reports of eBay banning the sale of Flipper Zero devices citing 'hacking' devices not being allowed on their platform.

The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency has also begun seizing imports of Flipper Zero devices.

Flipper Zero is an affordable handheld RF device for pentesters and hackers. It is not based on SDR technology, however it uses a CC1101 chip, a digitally controlled RX/TX radio that is capable of demodulating and modulating many common digital modulations such as OOK/ASK/FSK/GFSK/MSK at frequencies below 1 GHz. 

The CC1101 chip has been around since 2007, and there are many similar devices making use of the chip. However, the Flipper Zero is specifically marketed as a pentesting and hacking device, and provides built in software for doing things like replay attacks. 

Part of the problem with the bans may also be the huge popularity that the device has received. The device has become exceedingly popular on social media sites like TikTok where users often show it being used mischievously.

Flipper Zero remains available for sale on its website flipperzero.one, for US$169.

Inside the Flipper Zero
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Linus Tech Tips Reviews the Flipper Zero

The Flipper Zero is an affordable handheld RF device for pentesters and hackers. It is not based on SDR technology, however it uses a CC1101 chip, a digitally controlled RX/TX radio that is capable of demodulating and modulating many common digital modulations such as OOK/ASK/FSK/GFSK/MSK at frequencies below 1 GHz. 

What sets it apart from most of the other CC1101 devices is the high level of software support built into it, the enthusiastic community and of course the branding. 

Back in August 2020 we initially posted about the Flipper Zero starting its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Since then, despite major business problems like PayPal freezing 1.3M of its cash, and US customs temporarily seizing its shipments, then passing a $70,000 bill on to them for storage fees, Flipper has gained huge popularity through social media video sites like TikTok, where people show off its capabilities, often in ways that could be considered mischievous.

Recently over on YouTube, Linus from the most popular technology YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips reviewed the Flipper Zero. In the video Linus discusses the legally and morality of the Flipper Zero, and discusses some use cases around RFID and NFC.

This Makes Hacking TOO Easy - Flipper Zero

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SDRplay RSP1A Metal Enclosure Upgrade Set Reduced in Price

Over on our store we've just reduced the price of the remaining stock of our RSP1A metal enclosure upgrade set. The price reduction brings it down to US$29.95 including free shipping to most countries.

This is a premium aluminum metal upgrade enclosure for the SDRplay RSP1A. It helps block RF interference and protects the RSP inside the sturdy enclosure. This is most likely to be our last production of this enclosure at least for a long period of time.

The kit includes 1x black aluminum metal enclosure with two labelled side panels, 1x black semi-hardshell carry case, 1x thermal pad to keep the RSP1A cool and mechanically stable inside the enclosure, 1x accessory set including enclosure screws, GND lug bolt set and 3M anti-slip rubber feet.

Please note that the set does NOT include the RSP1A.

The sale will only be available while stocks last. There are less than 50 units available from our international platforms, and less than 130 available at Amazon USA. So get in quick before they are all sold!

RSP1A Metal Case Upgrade
RSP1A Metal Case Upgrade
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RSGB 2022: The UK Meteor Beacon Project

During last years Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) 2022 convention, Brian Coleman (G4NNS) presented a talk about the UK Meteor Beacon Project. The idea behind the project is to use a transmit beacon and a network of user-run receivers to help detect and study meteors. The talk has recently been uploaded to YouTube.

Radio signals can reflect off the meteor and the ionized trail left behind when it enters the atmosphere. This trail is highly RF reflective, so it can allow distant radio stations to be briefly received.

In the talk Brian explains the meteor detection, and explains the project in more detail.

The UK meteor beacon project is a collaborative project between the amateur radio and radio astronomy communities to collect data on meteor events over the UK. Phase I has been to establish a transmit beacon and Phase II is to create a network of receivers to monitor the radio echoes from meteors and stream data over the internet to support the study of meteor events and their impact on the ionosphere. Another key objective is to make possible a range of accessible radio-related STEM projects building on the interest in space and astronomy.

RSGB 2022 Convention presentation - The UK Meteor Beacon Project

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TXAdvance: An RF Transmitter Manager Android App that uses RTL-SDR

Recently we came across a new RTL-SDR app on the Google Play store called TXAdvance which appears to be designed for professional sound engineers working in TV/film/stage/music production industry. The app uses an RTL-SDR to display the RF spectrum, helping sound engineers manage the RF spectrum for all their wireless sound recording devices, ensuring there is no overlapping signals, interference or intermodulation from other transmitters that could corrupt audio.

More information about the app can be found on their website at www.compasseur.com and the app itself can be purchased from the Google Play Store.

TXAdvance RTL-SDR Android App for Profressional Sound Engineers
TXAdvance RTL-SDR Android App for Professional Sound Engineers
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Building a 315 MHz Jammer with an Arduino

Over on YouTube CiferTech has uploaded a video showing how to create a low cost 315 MHz jammer using an Arduino and a cheap 315 MHz transmitter circuit. The 315 MHz band is used in some countries by short range wireless devices such as garage door openers, tire pressure sensors, hone security systems and car keyfobs. Some wireless home security systems have been shown to be vulnerable to jamming, as jamming can stop an alarm activation signal being received by the base unit. 

We want to note that building a jammer in most countries is completely illegal and the use of a jammer can result in severe penalties such as jail time.

On a related note, we also wanted to point out this recent tweet by Naomi Wu (@realsexycyborg), a popular Technology YouTuber who is based in China. Her tweet pointed out that some local market scammers in China use rigged weighing scales which can force the scale to display an artificially high value by using a wireless handheld remote. To combat this handheld jammers are sold so that shoppers can prevent the scammer's remote control from communicating with the scale. Although jamming is still most likely illegal in China, this could be considered an ethical use of a jammer.

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Receiving TPMS Tire Pressure Data from a Mazda CX 5 with an RTL-SDR

Over on YouTube Robert from the Robert Research Radios channel has uplaoded a video showing how he has been using an RTL-SDR and rtl_433 to measure his Mazda CX5's wireless tire pressure sensors. The Mazda CX5 comes with TPMS tire pressure sensors in each tire, however when there is a low pressure warning, it does not actually tell you which tire in particular is low.

Robert used his RTL-SDR, rtl_433 and a custom script to read the wireless TPMS data coming from his tires and then matched the ID from each reading to the correct tire.

To go along with the video, Robert has uploaded a blog post explaining his setup and script.

RTLSDR Mazda CX 5 TPMS

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TechMinds: Reviewing the ANTSDR E200

A few days ago we posted about the upcoming crowdfunding campaign of the MicroPhase AntSDR E200, an SDR that is very similar to the PlutoSDR, but with a much larger FPGA and more stable TCXO. One interesting feature is that it can run PlutoSDR or USRP firmware, allowing it to work with software that supports either hardware.

Over on YouTube Matt from the TechMinds YouTube channel has received an early unit and uploaded a video review.

In the video Matt explains the features and specifications of the ANTSDR E200, shows how to set it up with either the PlutoSDR or USRP firmware, and then demonstrates it working in SDR Console and SDR Angel as an emulated PlutoSDR. He goes on to show how to install and run the USRP UHD firmware, where the ANTSDR emulates an USRP b205mini.

MicroPhase ANTSDR E200 UHD USRP & PLUTO SDR SUPPORT

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