Introduction: Laser Surveillance System for Under $20

About: I am a student and hobbiest. I'm into physics, linguistics, sailing, electronics, hacking (not cracking), music, and the like. I post most of my project stuff on my blog: http://hotwigati.wordpress.com/ …

WARNING: this project involves the use and modification of laser devices. While the lasers I suggest using (store-bought red pointers) are relatively safe to handle, NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO A LASER BEAM, BEWARE OF REFLECTIONS, and be EXTREMELY CAREFUL when MODIFYING a laser product. Also, I am not liable for anything stupid you do.

Using a basic laser pointer and a sensitive amplifier it is possible to listen in on conversations through exterior windows! The price of $20 is simply an estimate, in my case I did not need to buy anything.

The system described in this instructable works on the same principle as commercial projects like this:
http://www.electromax.com/laser.htmlhttp://www.electromax.com/laser.html

NOTE: For a similar projects that may be of interest, check out my blogcheck out my blog. You may find of particular interest the Polarizing Laser Music Mixer!Polarizing Laser Music Mixer!

(Photo of me in the lab, with my own bad-ass glasses, replacing the random military dude who was there before.)

Step 1: Gather Materials

All you need for this project is:

a building with a window to be listened-in on
a laser pointer
a tripod
electrical tape
a magnifying glass
a phototransistor (aka IR detector, can be gotten from remote control recievers)
microphone preamp and amplifier (this can be replaced by a laptop with a MIC port)
an extention chord or batteries for the preamp/amp
someone to listen in on

optional stuff:
a potentiometer (to control the laser brightness)
an infra-red laser (so the light can not be seen)
a digital camera (to see the infra-red laser during calibration)
extra bateries for the laser (upgrade to D cell or something)


(some of the needed equipment is shown below)

Step 2: Attach the Laser to the Tripod

Tightly attach the laser to the tripod with tape. Also tape or rubberband down the power button so that the laser stays on.

In the photo below I also attached wires that run to an external battery pack for extended life.

Step 3: Rig the Reciever

Phototransistors work very similarly to microphones in that they vary the current they allow to pass through them when exposed to chaning light levels. So, treat the phototransistor like a mic, and attach it to the MIC port on a laptop, or to the MIC terminals of a preamp, then hook the output of the preamp to the input of an amplifier.

If you are using a preamp, you should be able to screw the leads of the phototransistor right onto the back of the device, but if you are using a laptop, you will need to tape or solder togeather the pins of the phototransistor to the wires of a stripped headphones chord. Remember the ground (-) lead of the phototransistor is the one that has a little flat spot on the plasitc. Look to the photos for help.

Step 4: Position Your Spy Gear

Find a target building and window.

Look at the drawings below to help with the positioning of your gear.
(this only works if you are at the same elevation!)

Step 5: Aim the System

Stand by the laser tripod. Aim the laser at the window. You should be able to see the reflection of the recieving equipment in the window. If not, reposition the laser or the reciever until you can. If it is dark out, turn a flashlight on near the reciever pointed at the window, that way you can see the reflection in the window and locate the laser appropriately.

Once the laser is aimed, look for the reflected beam/dot near the recieving station. White paper or cardboard (pizza boxes) can come in handy. Position the phototransistor in the beam.

Step 6: Magnify

Position a magnifying glass in front of the phototransistor, in an attempt to focus the beam. You should hear the most noise from the amp when it is positioned correctly.

At this point you may need to adjust the volume on the amp and preamp. Turn it up until you hear feedback, then turn it down until it goes away.

Step 7: Give It a Try - Taking It Further

Listen for voices. You should be able to hear the low frequencies of any conversation inside the room of the targeted window. If you cannot hear anything, try banging on the window! That should produce a VERY loud sound from the amp.

If you get this project to work, the worst thing you could do is stop there! Try to build on the project. Try more than one laser, or getting more distance, or whatever comes to mind. One thing I have done to extend the project is to send music over the laser beam, and even sending two channels of music using two lasers polarized at right-angles to one another.

Feel free to leave some comments.
Happy experimenting!

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