QuadRF can spot drones and see WiFi through my wall
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
QuadRF, a phased-array radio using a Raspberry Pi 5, can detect drones and visualize WiFi signals through walls.
Jeff Geerling tests a pre-production QuadRF prototype, a handheld phased-array radio built around a Raspberry Pi 5 and FPGA board, operating from 4.9-6 GHz. It streams I/Q data over the Pi's MIPI lanes at >5 Gbps. The included AR visualizer shows WiFi signals as colored blobs; testing detected a DJI Mini Pro 4 drone behind a studio. The UI is rough but functional. A basic kit costs $499 on Crowd Supply; the crowdfunding campaign exceeded expectations. Geerling notes the open-source nature raises privacy awareness, but governments already have similar tools.
What commenters are saying
Commenters correct that the QuadRF only operates in the 4.9-6 GHz band, limiting drone detection to those using 5.8 GHz control; it cannot detect 900 MHz, cellular, or autonomous drones. Several question its usefulness for EMC compliance testing, noting professionals already have dedicated equipment. Others discuss that phased array technology is decades old, but the hobbyist price point is novel. A separate thread debates whether governments are behind open source in frontier tech, citing Ukraine as an example.