When I was a kid, the coolest electronics were miniature
wireless microphones, video cameras,
and other gear that could be stuffed
into a ball point pen, the heel of a
shoe, or a clock radio. Today, that sort
of spy gear is mainstream. It most often
involves home monitors, remote two-way video communications, and similar
technology used to “spy” on the sitter,
the kids, or elderly parents, or even the
pet — all from the comfort of a
smartphone.
Remote, audio, and video
monitoring is much more than just cool
technology. The convenience it
provides is close to addicting. I can’t
imagine going back to a time when I
had to physically walk to the front door
and peek through the peephole to see
who was knocking. Or of wondering
what the kids are doing in the back
yard while I’m working on a project in
my workshop.
Of course, when I was a kid, I
never dreamed of having live streaming
video available from hundreds of feet
in the air. The closest I ever came to a
quadcopter with video camera was a
glider with a built-in film camera with a
timer. If the glider happened to be
directly overhead when the timer went
off, I’d have a print of an aerial photo a
week to 10 days later.
I’ve built several quadcopters over
the past few years, and I’m still hooked
on the aerial images. It doesn’t help my
bank account since miniature streaming
video cameras keep getting lighter and
higher resolution every few months.
I used to have one of those spy
microphones made of a handheld
microphone and clear plastic parabolic
reflector. I think they were sold as bird
song recording microphones to get
around the privacy issues. In any case,
Of course, the real spy gear today
is necessarily secret. I’ve heard of using
lasers reflected off of window panes
that vibrate in response to the pressure
waves associated with voice. Then,
there’s the use of microwave radiation
to pick up vocal movement from those
in the path of the beam. There’s also
the flying bird camera that looks like a
wounded bird. And don’t forget the
multi-million dollar imaging satellites
that monitor activity on the surface.
I did a quick search for “spy gear”
on Amazon, which turned up 6,020
items ranging from lie detectors, night
vision goggles, walkie-talkies, and voice
changers, to quadcopters and snake
cameras. Even more impressive is that
most of these spy devices are in the
$20-$30 range. True, they’re toys, but
the technology is still a bargain. Plus,
there’s no better way to understand a
voice changer or any other spy
electronics than by performing a nondestructive teardown.
Modern “toy” spy technology
touches on just about every aspect of
electronics, from sensors and
communications to microcontrollers.
As such, spy technology is a fun vehicle
for learning basic electronics. Even if
you have your mind set on $2,500
army surplus night vision goggles,
starting off with a $40 version sold in
the toy store is probably the best way
to go. You might be surprised at how
little difference there is between the
toy and professional versions of the
technology.
So, go on. Order yourself a few
electronic spy toys from Amazon or
other retailer. It’s fun viewing
electronics technology from a fresh
perspective. NV
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by
Bryan
Bergeron,
Editor DEVELOPING
PERSPECTIVES
Spy Gear
6 December 2016