Took the KrakenSDR out for some fox hunting today and realized it’s time to turn my messy box of parts into a proper field RF kit for broader intelligence-gathering operations. To that end, I'll add additional SDRs, like the HackRF, to increase the spectrum coverage. The plan is to add waterproof pass-throughs for all the antennas and other ports to make everything more durable and field-ready. What other useful tools and software would you suggest for this build? #SDR #KrakenSDR #RFAnalysis #FoxHunting #hamradio #sigint

To the moon! $spcx 🚀

Skippy getting upgraded from 35,000 feet above Oklahoma! Can’t wait to get home! 📐

I finally paid the $200 required to upgrade the firmware on the Flex 6300 installed in the Jeep. I can now once again move the Maestro between the Jeep and the 8600 at the QTH. I have a special VESA mount on the back of the Maestro that enables me to quickly secure it in the Jeep using a single thumb nut. The unit features its own internal battery and connects to the 6300 via the Jeep’s UniFi Wi-Fi LAN, so no wires are required. This arrangement provides an excellent mobile experience. It allows me to operate digital modes (VarAC, Winlink, and others) on the laptop while simultaneously monitoring sideband activity via the Maestro, with its large touchscreen controls and waterfall.

Just tracked a randomly selected transmitter using the Kraken SDR, and it only took about 10 minutes of driving. This is classic “fox hunting” in the amateur radio community: a longstanding direction-finding sport that pits operators against each other in locating hidden signals. Yet beyond the fun, it delivers a sobering real-world demonstration of how rapidly any transmitting station can be located the moment it keys up. The Kraken SDR achieves this with a compact circular array of five evenly spaced dipole antennas connected to fully phase-coherent receivers. All five channels share a common high-precision clock source and run continuous calibration to maintain synchronization. As the incoming RF wavefront reaches each antenna at microscopically different instants, the system measures the resulting time-of-arrival differences (equivalent to phase shifts across the array). Using advanced correlative interferometry and the known physical geometry of the antenna placement, it computes the precise direction of arrival (bearing) in real time and overlays it directly on an interactive map. Mitigation techniques are essential if you wish to minimize your detectable footprint: transmit at the absolute lowest effective power required, limit yourself to extremely short bursts, employ directional antennas carefully oriented away from potential listeners, implement frequency agility or hopping patterns where feasible, and, when operational security demands it, maintain complete radio silence. In today’s environment, understanding and managing your RF signature is no longer optional.

Imagine schools prioritizing STEM, math, and literacy over irrelevant distractions.

I’ve been experimenting with the Radiacode-103 for a few days. It identifies isotopes at 8.4% resolution through real-time spectroscopy, given enough data collection time. The iPhone app includes real-time monitoring, charts, high radiation alarms, gamma spectrometry, isotope visuals, and heat map creation (blue/green low, yellow/red high), plus more. Driving in my Jeep, I mapped background radiation from cosmic rays, radon, and sources like potassium-40 in soil and rocks. Hotspots appeared near hospitals (probably medical isotopes), landfills, and Florida phosphate mines. Overall, a pretty cool little Geiger counter for the price.

Took a lunch break in the field to send Winlink Wednesday emails via the Jeep’s solar-powered Flex Radio setup. It’s coming along: power on Flex, network, laptop; pick a station, tune Icom AH-730 with one button. Next, getting the Cybertruck there too. 📐📡

Finally getting out to the field with the Icom IC-905. I’ve had this radio a while, but I’m just now getting around to putting it through its paces. Like my mobile satellite setup, I’m using the Cybertruck’s bed in tent mode as a flat, sturdy base. I’ve set up the 905 for testing across bands. Gear includes a 10 GHz dish for microwave links, a 5 GHz panel, a 2.4 GHz circular Yagi, and a Diamond vertical covering 1.2 GHz down to 2 meters. I definitely need a taller mast for those higher frequencies. I would love to find a decent pneumatic mast for that. Overall, a pretty successful outing, hitting at least beacons on all bands. Next, I’m looking forward to meeting up with the Florida Weak Signal Society for some of their events.

I recently picked up a Lab599 TX-500MP with a Link 500 digital interface—the rugged, waterproof 10W HF/50MHz transceiver with built-in tuner and DSP. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to work with it, so I lent it to Mike (W1SRR) for a spin. Check out his videos on this radio and his many POTA activations on YouTube: youtube.com/@W1SRR

Finally got to make first contact with @Tesla_Optimus at the @Tesla Miami Design for Future of Autonomy Visualized event. A bit of a drive from Orlando but the thankfully the @Cybertruck did all the driving. Fun event and ran into a few friends from @TeslaOwnersFL.

Worked at one of Florida’s first computer stores as a kid back in the early 80’s. I managed a multi-modem setup on an Altos Computer Systems running early multi-user DOS. It could handle up to 8 connections, although I never got that many modems on it.

I’ve gone through many antennas, starting with Shark Sticks, then an ATAS, then a Tarheel, and finally the Icom AH-740. I really like the Icom because of the instant tuning. With my limited metalworking skills, I was able to fab a nice, solid mount for it.

I have quick access to the battery and charging stats, along with switches for powering up the network and the Flex — none of which I’ve labeled yet. 🙄

The small black box contains the UniFi router and access point, along with a hookup for Starlink for WAN access.

Docking station for laptop.

The business end mounted behind the back seat.