How To Build A (Mostly) Offline Spy Base!!! Pt 1

Hello, this is TheTechBoy with a special article.

    The decline in imaginative play and espionage skills among youth is notable, with technology use often limited to scrolling social media like TikTok or Instagram. Basic technologies, such as radio-based communication or dial-up computer linking, have faded, overshadowed by internet-based solutions. Building a spy base can revive interest in these technologies. This guide outlines the hardware and software needed to create a communications, intelligence, and analysis hub, prioritizing offline functionality and security. Future articles will go into more software detail. 

    To start, you’ll need a phone, home internet (for initial setup), and a laptop or desktop PC running Windows. Extras you may wan include TV's and monitors and maybe even a second computer to run some of the programs. The base will focus on secure communications, surveillance, and data analysis, beginning with a robust security setup.

Security Setup

    Security is critical, and minimizing internet reliance ensures reliability during outages. Radio frequency (RF) cameras, which transmit video and audio within a set range without Wi-Fi, are ideal. They function like baby monitors, with specifics to be explored in a future article. Two RF-based options stand out:

• PheonixHD Security Camera: Offers a 1000ft range and supports up to four cameras. It uses a 10-inch monitor and records to a SD card, which unfortunately means that you cannot connect it to a monitor. 
• Cromorc CCTV System: Has a HDD and a built in monitor, but does allow you to connect it to a external dosplay and mouse. Thus if you have the extra TV's or a projector you can have a wall showing a security camera feed, just like in the movies. 

    A decent TV for monitoring costs around $200, or explore free options like Telly TV. For physical security, consider the SpyGear Secret Motion Radar and SpyGear Phone Case, which acts as a video doorbell. For advanced IP cameras or the SpyGear phone case without internet, use a router to create a local Wi-Fi network. You can even turn your PC in to a router using software caled pFsense. (external)

Software Setup

    The software transforms your base into a hub for mapping, data analysis, and communication, evoking the thrill of Adventures in Odyssey. All programs should run on Windows, ideally offline, to avoid Wi-Fi vulnerabilities. A capable PC is essential.

Mapping

If your agents need to scout a new location or analyze a building’s layout, Sweet Home 3D is a great choice. It allows you to create 3D building models based on measurements your team collects. You can add furniture or equipment using photos they take. Most models, like furniture and lighting, are included, but for specific items like security cameras, you can download free 3D models from the Sweet Home 3D website and import them. The 3D visualization helps you plan a room’s setup before a covert mission.

For serious geospatial tasks, ArcGIS Earth (free, requires an online account) is ideal. It uses high-quality Maxar and Microsoft satellite imagery. You can import coordinates and paths into the software gathered by a GPS reciever or a phone. To access offline map data, cache it in Google Earth Pro (free). If you have a spare computer, TV, or monitor, use the Movie tool in ArcGIS to create a 3D spinning globe and set it to loop in Windows Media Player. In future articles, I’ll explain how to add effects for mission briefing videos. MS Encarta 2009 also offers a solid atlas and maps feature.

For weather monitoring, use Supercell for ad-free radar. Display maps with a free Maptiler API key, selecting your city and radar options:

• REF: Reflectivity (precipitation intensity).
• VEL: Velocity (wind speed/direction).
• SRM: Storm Relative Motion (storm rotation).
• SW: Spectrum Width (wind variability).
• ZDR: Differential Reflectivity (particle shapes).
• KDP: Specific Differential Phase (heavy rain).
• CC: Correlation Coefficient (non-weather targets).
• VIL: Vertically Integrated Liquid (total water).
• ET: Echo Tops (storm height).
• HC: Hydrometeor Classification (precipitation type).
• ACC: Accumulated Precipitation (total rainfall).

Documents

    Record missions with office software. Use MS Office (non-365 version) to avoid subscriptions. You can find good versions of it on groupon. It includes MS Word and Excel for secure document locking and MS Access for databases. Alternatively, Google Docs (offline mode enabled) works. For mobile databases, use Memento Database, syncing via USB with the MementoDB PC client.

Data Analysis

Hopefully, your agents capture good photos with their phones or you get clear snaps from the security cameras you set up. To analyze these images use the program, PhotosPOS Pro, in pro interface, or Paint.Net to try to ‘enhance’ images, Autopsy to scan through unlocked phones, USB drives, and SD cards, and VLC to go frame by frame in a video. To enhance blurry photos, I found this software, Upscaly, which seems decent.  

Surveillance and Communication

    Now for the most exciting part of espionage: surveillance and communication. I’ll stick as closely as possible to the goal of offline methods, though some online options may be necessary. For remote spy cameras (not security cameras), I recommend (details to be added).

    For audio, several offline recorders are available, but one I’ve used is the TilRec, a slim, voice-activated USB recorder. For remote audio recording, you can either buy a GSM spy bug or, for a trickier setup, use an RF microphone. Pair the RF microphone to your computer (follow the mic’s instructions) and plug it into your PC. Then:

1. Open Audacity.

2. In the audio setup menu, select your mic.

3. Press Ctrl+P to go to the recording screen.

4. Turn on "audible input monitoring" to hear live audio as it’s recorded.

5. Click OK and start recording. In my experience, the audio can be faint, but normal talking volume is picked up. To enhance this, you can remove the top of the mic, which exposes the bare microphone. 

    To intercept your enemies’ communications, use an SDR, as outlined in my article. Radio communication is very important to me and should be to this base as well. While I haven’t found a tested method for PC-to-PC radio chat/link software, I don’t trust that agents, say across the street, will both have access to an old-school POTS phone line and modem to dial into a computer,I have found hardware that facilitates sending radio text messages, including the Motorola Talkabout T800 (a phone is needed as a keypad and GPS receiver), though you could potentially emulate the Android mobile application on Windows. The TriSquare TSX300-2VP allows you to text using the keypad, with no mobile app required.

    For GPS tracking, you can use a regular off-the-shelf SIM-based GPS tracker (it uses the internet to transmit signals via a phone plan) or try the (as of now untested) radio-based GPS tracker meant for model rockets. When placed in its own enclosure, it can track objects or people. Input the coordinates into ArcGIS or Google Maps. If you’re okay with using a phone emulator on your PC, LoRa trackers offer about 9 miles of range.

    I really enjoyed writing and researching this hand hope to make it into a series. I know there is just so much more hardware sotware waiting to be discovered so you can build a spy base. God Bless and Tech Talk To You Later!!!