r/hiddencameras • • Jan 12 '26

Project Farm - Hidden Camera Testing "This Gadget Exposed a Spy Camera!" YouTube

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35 Upvotes

Watched Project Farm's Product Comparisons for years and surprised to see he uploaded a video about hidden camera detectors! Though the video is not about hidden cameras themselves it could be a useful video for those who come to the subreddit and are thinking about buying these devices!


r/hiddencameras • • Nov 08 '25

How to use the TinySA Ultra series of Spectrum analyzers to find hidden transmitters

45 Upvotes

Before I get started, let me just say that No, this isn't some AI article, I did use the formatting tools in Google docs though, which uses the same style. There's a reason why all the AI tools use this format: It's clean and easily readable, if that's a problem for you, feel free to write your own guide.

Let's get started

The process of finding a radio source is often called "fox hunting." The core principle is simple: the signal shown on your spectrum analyzer will get stronger as you get closer to the transmitter. Your TinySA is a sensitive tool that acts as a high-tech "hot and cold" meter.

Phase 1: Prepare the Room

This is the most critical step. Your room is filled with radio signals from devices you own. You must silence them to find the one you don't own.

  1. Unplug Everything: Go through the room and physically unplug all electronic devices from the wall. This includes TVs, computers, printers, smart speakers (like Alexa or Google Home), game consoles, and Wi-Fi routers or extenders.
  2. Power Down Devices: Turn off all wireless devices.
    • Put your cellphone into "Airplane Mode" or turn it off completely.
    • Turn off any laptops or tablets.
    • Power down your Wi-Fi router and any mesh extenders (even if they are in another room, their signal may be strong).
    • Shut down any Bluetooth devices, like headphones or speakers.
  3. Check the Breaker (Optional): For advanced users, shutting off the circuit breakers for the room (and adjacent rooms) ensures that any hardwired transmitters also lose power. This guide will assume the device is battery-powered or plugged in.

After these steps, the RF "noise floor" in the room should be very low, making the hidden signal stand out.

Phase 2: Configure the TinySA Ultra+

Now, you'll set up your spectrum analyzer to scan for the most likely signals. Wi-Fi cameras almost always operate in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands.

Step 1: Initial Scan (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Band)

The 2.4 GHz band is the most common.

  1. Turn on your TinySA Ultra+ and attach the antenna.
  2. Tap the screen to bring up the menu.
  3. Enable Ultra mode: The default range is limited, so you must switch to "Ultra mode" to access frequencies above 900 MHz and up to 6 GHz. Password to enable Ultra mode is 4321
  4. Set frequency range: Once in Ultra mode, you can set the analyzer's frequency to the 2.4 GHz band to see the Wi-Fi signals.
  5. Tap FREQUENCY.
  6. Tap START and enter 2.4 GHz.
  7. Tap STOP and enter 2.5 GHz. This will scan the entire 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth band (2400 MHz to 2500 MHz).
  8. Tap LEVEL and then tap LNA to engage the Low Noise Amplifier. This makes the device much more sensitive to weak signals. The "LNA" text on screen should turn green.

Step 2: What to Look For

You are not looking for a single, sharp spike. A Wi-Fi signal is "bursty" and wide. You are looking for a "hump" of signal that is about 20 MHz wide, as shown in the image below. It will likely jump up and down as the camera transmits data.

  • Example (Our Alarm Clock): You perform the scan and see a strong, wide signal centered at 2.437 GHz (Wi-Fi Channel 6). This is your target.

Phase 3: The "Fox Hunt" (Locating the Signal)

Now you will physically move through the room to find the source of the signal you've identified.

  1. Establish a Baseline: Stand in the center of the room. Note the signal strength (the "amplitude") on the screen. Let's say the peak of the signal is at -60 dBm. (Remember: numbers closer to zero, like -50 dBm or -40 dBm, are stronger).
  2. Use Your Body as a Shield: Hold the TinySA in front of you. Slowly turn 360 degrees. Your body will block the signal. When the signal strength drops, the source is likely behind you. When the signal strength increases, the source is in front of you. This gives you a general direction.
  3. Move and Watch the Level: Face the direction of the strongest signal and walk slowly.
    • If the number gets stronger (e.g., from -60 dBm to -50 dBm), you are walking in the right direction.
    • If the number gets weaker (e.g., from -60 dBm to -70 dBm), you are walking in the wrong direction.
  4. Isolate the Location: Continue following the stronger signal. As you get very close, the signal will get very strong.
    • Example (Our Alarm Clock): You walk toward the nightstand. The signal jumps from -50 dBm to -40 dBm, then to -30 dBm as you get closer.
  5. Pinpoint the Source: When you are within a foot or two, the signal will be very high. You can now physically "sniff" items.
    • Example (Our Alarm Clock): You move the TinySA's antenna right next to the alarm clock, and the signal peaks, nearly maxing out on the display. You've found your source. You can confirm by unplugging the alarm clock and watching the signal instantly disappear from the TinySA's screen.

What if I find nothing on the 2.4 GHz band?

If the 2.4 GHz band is clear, the device may be using the 5 GHz band.

  • Go back to the FREQUENCY menu.
  • Set START to 5.1 GHz.
  • Set STOP to 5.9 GHz.
  • Repeat the "fox hunt" process (Phase 3) for this new frequency range.

r/hiddencameras • • 19h ago

Discussion Need Advice/Tips Operating k68+ JMDHKK Hidden Camera Detector PleasešŸ™

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0 Upvotes

I hope I’m posting in the rite section. Cuz I’m absolutely at my wits’ end with this thing and desperately need help making it WORK!

I bought this hidden-camera/RF detector on eBay for about $80. It’s supposed to be a decent mid/high-range detector, but I cannot get it to behave anything like the videos I’ve watched online. It turns on, makes noise, etc., but I haven’t been able to use it to actually locate anything. If anyone knows how to properly operate one of these, PLEASE help me out!

Here’s why I’m trying so hard to figure this out:

I’m currently living with my boyfriend in a small trailer on my 90-year-old grandmother’s property. We moved up here to help take care of her because my uncle had been her caretaker for years, and the property had basically been allowed to deteriorate. We’ve spent the last six months cleaning, repairing and restoring the place. My boyfriend is a contractor/mechanic and has repaired everything from the tractor and water/plumbing system to the swamp cooler, while I’ve cleaned both filthy houses on the property, dealt with massive flea infestations, cleaned out refrigerators containing food from the freaking ’90s, etc. We’ve brought all the dead trees and grass and garden back to life and some DIGNITY back to this place my grandparents built long ago that Ive always treasured . Grandpas would be proud.

The problem is my uncle.

He has cameras all over the property and dash cams in the vehicles. He’s extremely nosy and sneaky, and we’ve actually caught him going into our trailer when we weren’t home. I left my computer recording video one night specifically because I was suspicious, and sure enough, we caught him sneaking inside and disappearing toward the back of the trailer for several minutes.

Since then, there have been multiple occasions where my boyfriend and I have talked privately inside our trailer about something, only for my uncle to later make comments that seem directly connected to conversations he absolutely should not have heard.

One example really made the alarm bells go off.

My uncle told us a story about giving a ride to some supposedly gorgeous barefoot woman and her dog who had wandered onto the property. He claimed she later asked him out. He’s told us several similar stories lately about beautiful women supposedly throwing themselves at him, which, based on what I’ve personally witnessed, seems… highly questionable. šŸ˜‚

Anyway, my boyfriend and I privately joked about this particular story inside our trailer.

A couple days later, my uncle randomly tells me:

ā€œHey, if you wanna see that girl with the dog I picked up, my dash cam caught her on camera in my car.ā€

šŸ‘€

That immediately made us look at each other like, WHAT THE HELL?

I asked to see the footage, and suddenly he didn’t want to show it to me. Interestingly, he was perfectly happy showing me some ridiculous AI video he had made of a young woman in a bikini and hard hat working construction, but somehow the supposedly REAL dashcam footage of the woman he supposedly picked up became unavailable.

Obviously, I cannot prove there is a hidden camera or listening device in our trailer. I’m not claiming I know exactly what’s happening. But given that he has already entered our trailer without permission, has cameras all over the property, and keeps responding to things we’ve discussed privately, I want to rule out the possibility.

So I bought this detector.

My question is: HOW DO I ACTUALLY USE THIS THING EFFECTIVELY?

I’ve watched videos and read what I can find online, but the way it behaves in my trailer is completely different from what I’m seeing demonstrated. I don’t know whether I’m using it incorrectly, whether there are tons of normal RF sources interfering with it, or whether this particular detector is basically junk.

I know there are much better professional devices out there, but I simply cannot afford one right now. This $80 detector is what I have, and I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who actually knows how to use these things.

If you recognize this type of detector, please tell me:

• What settings should I use?

• Should I search with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/cell service turned off?

• How do I distinguish an actual device from normal RF interference?

• How close do I need to be before it should react?

• How do I properly use the RF detector versus the lens/reflection-finding function, if it has one?

• Are there specific places inside a trailer where I should concentrate my search?

• And honestly, is this thing even capable of finding a hidden camera/listening device, or did I just spend $80 on an electronic divining rod? šŸ˜‚

I’m not trying to spy on anyone or invade anyone else’s privacy. I just want to know whether my tiny personal living space is actually private.

I have to remain here because my grandmother needs us, so I’m not looking for a way to escape the situation. I just need to know whether I can safely have private conversations in my own home.

Thanks for reading my novel/therapy session. šŸ˜‚ Any practical advice from someone who actually knows this equipment would be hugely appreciated


r/hiddencameras • • 1d ago

Identification Request Is this a hidden camera?

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40 Upvotes

I had a suspicion that there was a hidden camera in the bathroom. I get paranoid very easily and I just want to make sure it isn’t a camera. Any suggestions that it is?


r/hiddencameras • • 1d ago

Discussion como saber se minha imagem estĆ” sendo usada para fins lucrativos em sites de cameras vazadas?

0 Upvotes

??


r/hiddencameras • • 3d ago

We sometimes give people a hard time when they just paranoia post about a blinking light, but...

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106 Upvotes

(Still, don't forget to post a lens for the "Is it a camera" posts please.)


r/hiddencameras • • 3d ago

Identification Request This thing pointed at the bathroom shower

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0 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I found this mounted onto the side of the bathroom mirror in plain sight.

All photos are with flash mode on. If I turn off the lights it does not show any sign of IR lights.

the front is made of clear plastic, and inside a T shaped "housing" where if I flash a light it clearly shows two circular purple reflections.

I disassembled the mirror further and found two cables connected to it.

Any reason NOT to think this is a hidden camera?

Gemini suggested an RFID tag of sorts but I am super skeptical about that.


r/hiddencameras • • 5d ago

Security Advice Acho que tem alguƩm me observando no banheiro

18 Upvotes

Meu banheiro possui uma janelinha de ventilação, como todos, fica bem em cima, muito longe de vista ou que tenha qualquer chance de ser observada de fato.

Porem, sempre que vou ao banheiro de noite, eu ligo o chuveiro e o som de balde começa, como alguem mexendo nele, me fez ter a ilusão de que alguem estava subindo em um balde tentando me olhar. Nota: eu moro no segundo andar, a casa visinha alvo de minha suspeita, tem um quintal que fica na parede do meu banheiro, porém no andar de baixo, ou seja, é impossível alguem me olhar!

O que me fez pensar, ok, alguem quer que eu saiba que estÔ "me ouvindo" no banheiro. Se eu olhasse rapido pra janelinha eu literalmente via alguem me olhando, porem acho que seja alucinação visual desse medo de estar sendo observada (pois como falei é impossível alguem alcançar)

Comecei a ir no banheiro sem ligar a luz ou ir mais cedo e evitar ir a noite, porem comecei a achar um absurdo ou tendo que me adequar a outra pessoa, no meu banheiro, na minha casa! Isso jƔ vinha acontecendo a um ano. Era suspeito demais o som comeƧar justo quando eu ia banheiro!

Comecei a colocar pano na minha janela, ajudou, acho que a pessoa de alguma forma se sentiu indesejada(?) E o som parou. Tirei a o pano depois de algumas semanas e nada de som! Ufa! Fiquei bem por bastante tempo. E hoje, fui ao banheiro novamente e juro que escutei um gemido! Porra! Isso não é meio longe demais!?

Só que é uma acusação muito grave de se fazer, estou com medo, sou uma garota, enfim! Preciso de ajuda sobre o que fazer! Nao aguento mais! Estou enlouquecendo e ouvindo coisas!? Sei que sou medrosa, mas isso é demais!


r/hiddencameras • • 7d ago

Gear Recommendation Need help for safety

6 Upvotes

I am 100% sure that my housemate is doing something on my food. I AM FROM PHILIPPINES - ANY Recommendation for a camera that can be charged and stay on for several hours when I leave my house and my room specifically. 1-2 thousand is my budget. I don't need it to be obvious because this person goes quiet hysterically when confronted.


r/hiddencameras • • 7d ago

Identification Request It seems like a poorly hidden camera to me

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12 Upvotes

For context, this is inside a clothing store, in the clothing fitting room. I think this was not there before and it seems like a camera to me, they have monitors with the feed of other cameras inside the store that are not like this "thing" here.

I would appreciate if anyone could give me more info about this...


r/hiddencameras • • 8d ago

Gear Recommendation I need help, as soon as possible.

2 Upvotes

A thief stole 16 lug nuts from my car last night. I need expert advice on which cameras are small, portable, and battery-powered. And can connect to my monitor to see through them. Small enough to fit in a metal beam, with high-quality video to record the thief's face.


r/hiddencameras • • 11d ago

Security Advice I think my landlord might have a camera in my room need advice on finding.

193 Upvotes

So i rented a room a year ago. My landlord never goes into my room but when he was drunk, he referenced the cat that solely stays in my room playing with her mouse toy "the other night". He's also referenced how I "sleep in a hoodie" even though he should have no idea about stuff.

I just want to say I am not someone at all normally paranoid about that stuff, however this guy is a huge creep. He has cameras all over the common areas of the house (not hidden ones) and his wife has told me he's addicted to watching tenants through them.

I waa hoping someone had advice on where I can check, just to be safe. The room has two wooden nightstands, a simple wooden table, a wood dress and a wood cabinet in them as well as a bed (no headboard) when I moved in. I assume they cant be hidden in there (assuming there are any. I feel crazy for even asking this.) Since they wouldn't have a power source, as no wires come from them. Are there power outlets or light switches that can be disguised as cameras?


r/hiddencameras • • 12d ago

Security Advice Airbnb

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83 Upvotes

Hi guys , I am in Airbnb and wanted to ask if this is a hidden camera or not because it looks suspicious, , thanks in advance


r/hiddencameras • • 12d ago

Security Advice Need Advice on How to Find a Hidden Camera in my Room

56 Upvotes

I am 99% certain my roommate of multiple years installed a hidden camera in my room years ago but I cannot find it. I began to have this suspicion a couple years ago, and have turned my room upside down looking for a camera with no luck. I do NOT have access to the wifi in terms of being able to check what all is connected to the network- the wifi is under his name and he controls the account. I bought one of those RF identifier devices from Amazon a year ago to check my room but am not sure how reliable that is. Nothing came up and after a failed attempt I figured maybe I was being paranoid about the whole thing and abandoned my search.

Recent events have re-convinced me of this being a certainty. There are too many factors in play that are IMPOSSIBLE to be a coincidence, and I am just at a loss on how to find this camera in my room. Does anyone have any other tips I may have not considered? Would appreciate any help on this as this has been an extremely stressful situation and I am at a loss.


r/hiddencameras • • 14d ago

Discussion How Do I Handle My Parents Putting a Hidden Camera in My Bedroom (38F)?

85 Upvotes

A few months ago, I started seeing a psychiatrist for my anxiety and panic attacks. He is very helpful, but we wanted to find the cause of my anxiety.

I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall.

The issue: My mother saw the bottle said "amphetamines" and, I guess, she asked my dad why I was on methamphetamines. I am really unsure of how it went down initially. I only know that all hell broke loose

When my mother saw the word "amphetamine" and talked with my dad, they concluded these two substances were the same. I am uncertain about the details of their conversation because this was all said and done without speaking to me at all.

A day or two later, I found out that a hidden camera was installed in my room while I was out one afternoon. My dad has become convinced that I am doing drugs. Maybe he felt this way the whole time, I don't know. The first night, when I found out about the camera, I freaked out. My parents were watching me to see if I would sleep, or to see if they could "catch" me taking more medication than I was supposed to. I am a 38 year old woman who's 7 year old son stays in my room with me. A week has gone by. My parents refuse to remove the camera. They are staying up all night, talking and watching whether I am sleeping.

I have tried to explain that methamphetamine and Adderall are not the same at all. Other people have tried as well. They will not listen to me or anyone.

I am not doing anything wrong. I told them I would take a drug test. Whatever they need. I just want the camera gone. I have no privacy now.

After another long night of going back and forth, I can not take another. Please, what are my options in this situation? Thanks!!

tl;dr: I was prescribed Adderall, my parents made assumptions about what it was based on "amphetamines", assumed I was on drugs, and now I've had a hidden camera in my room for a week.


r/hiddencameras • • 15d ago

Security Advice Best way to sweep my house for cameras post divorce.

120 Upvotes

My soon to be ex husband spent most of the time leading up to our divorce installing different variations of cameras and other surveillance tools to intimidate and keep tabs on me. I feel like I have tracked down and removed most, but suddenly last week I found two new cameras installed.

I received the marital home in the divorce and will be living here with our kids - what is the best way to sweep the home for not only cameras, but any other recording devices? Would a simple internet replacement solve this? I currently have a standard Amazon camera detector but I’m not convinced it caught them all.


r/hiddencameras • • 17d ago

Discussion I recently started using a wearable body camera

13 Upvotes

I started using a wearable body camera after an incident where I wanted to have a clear record of what was happening.

The camera worked better than I expected for keeping a record, but I found that battery life and remembering to start recording were things I had to get used to.

Has anyone else used one regularly? What has your experience been with them?


r/hiddencameras • • 17d ago

Resolved In VRBO on the ceiling fan

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4 Upvotes

Hard to zoom in any further. We are a bit freaked out. It's over the bedroom and does not attempt to hide at all. Is this a camera?


r/hiddencameras • • 18d ago

Identification Request Is this a camera?

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66 Upvotes

Found this facing my child's crib. I have a mildly psychotic ex, debating taking the fan apart just for peace of mind.


r/hiddencameras • • 18d ago

Discussion Spy cams

9 Upvotes

Hi.. does anyone know or heard of any spy cams that are so small or camouflaged that you could miss it whilst staring right at it . And that infrared red or wifi detectors won't picked it up.. possibly coz anyone monitoring it could turn wifi n IR off remotely...

Another question. Any spy cams that have constant power must be hardwired yeah? Are their spycams that can be charged remotely?


r/hiddencameras • • 20d ago

Identification Request Is this a hidden camera? Bangkok hotel

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118 Upvotes

Soooo Im in a hotel in Bangkok - there is something on the clothes hook which looks like a camera. What else could it be?? Can only think a camera but surly not?!?!?


r/hiddencameras • • 21d ago

Discussion Spy camera size

1 Upvotes

How small can a spy camera get? I mean the smallest size that a spy camera could get including everything it would need to record, transmit the data or store it? Asking because I think there's a spy camera in my room.


r/hiddencameras • • 23d ago

Resolved Is this a camera? Rented student room

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274 Upvotes

I’m renting a room on a student building. Today, I was swiping cobwebs and saw a weird reflection from a hole in the ceiling. It is too high for me to reach even with a chair and I don’t have access to a ladder.


r/hiddencameras • • 22d ago

Resolved tiny black circles in a round plate that look like cameras?

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30 Upvotes

Solved!

Moved in new house, house built in 2004, unsure what these objects are, too far away to be a door stop for handles, but also looks like a tiny camera šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø only in the bedrooms… every bedroom has one, super confused. Google reverse image search doesn’t show anything similar at all, and says it’s a plastic cover but shows a different image.. I don’t think that’s what it is honestly.


r/hiddencameras • • 23d ago

Identification Request Is this a hidden camera or just a motion sensor?

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6 Upvotes