Most wireless OEM hardware traditionally use 433MHz OOK modules to exchange information. The encoding and encryption of this data stream is left as a task for the embedded software designer. In most cases, the system can be hacked using a replay attack where an RF packet is recorded and replayed to emulate a valid user. [Gilad Fride] hacked his parking gate using this technique but decided to go the extra mile of connecting it to the internet.
He used an RTL-SDR dongle and ook-decoder by [jimstudt] to sniff out the gate code and this code was tested using an Arduino. The final implementation was done around an Onion Omega which talks directly to the RF transmitter module using the fast-gpio binary. Internet connectivity was achieved using Onion Cloud API which is used to trigger the execution of code thereby sending the gate opening signal.
[Gilad Fride] uses the IFTTT Do button to provide a GUI and he demonstrates this in action using an iPhone in the video below. The project can be extended to open garage doors or turn off the lights of your room over the internet.
If you are looking to hack your home security system, look no further as SDRs have be used to communicate with wireless products effectively in the past. We are hoping manufacturers take a hint and start using better encryption.
I’ve been meaning to try something like this to control my Hampton Bay ceiling fan in an automated way. I’m surprised that the SDR dongles have become so cheap now.
Why use the SDR dongle at all? The 433mhz modules from China come in at less than a buck for and RX/TX pair. I have used these to tame and control a bunch of 433mhz wall outlets with existing RCSwitch library on a pro-mini. Just curious is there some level of encryption that needs the dongle or something?
The RTL-SDR dongles are cheap and widely used because there is a large set of software that works well with them.
This is what I do, both on the transmit and receive side. They’re dirt cheap, and you can sniff out (and transmit) any 433 MHz signal with them pretty easily if you can read or toggle GPIO pins.
But the reason to use the SDR dongle is when one is already on the shelf and you’re familiar with the toolchain. Or you’re not yet, and you want a good beginner project. Or…
Desperate writer is desperate. I’m not saying it’s not a cool hack, but come on, a 10 months old project?!
seriously. 10 months old? If it’s interesting, who cares?
How dare he?!?!?!?! GASP!!!! It’s 10 whole MONTHS old.. OMG What to do???
I know STOP TROLLING.
Where can I buy RF transmitters? And what kind? Can anyone recommend?
Ebay from china. Just look for 433mhz transmitter. The literally cost cents.
Oh boy I read that title just plain wrong Lol.
I was expecting to read about gates that smelt SDRs
Ok it was a late night….
Hi. I bought these cheap 433 MHz transmitters and tried to use them on “my first rf project”. I could never get them to transmit or receive more than a few inches from each other . All the references on the Internet that I could find had similar experiences. Can you point me toward some instructions on how to use/ power these effectively without interference? Thanks