Kyiv, 2024 DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS: There are no distribution restrictions. Author Sergey Beskrestnov (Flash) UAV monitoring complex of the Russian Federation Independent production and operati Machine Translated by Google This complex will help you monitor the enemy's UAVs and, most importantly, will form the basic knowledge for your future development in the direction of REP with UAVs. - a monitoring point on a local computer at the reception point Purpose of the complex: -remote monitoring point (receiver in one place, operator in another) Optional application: - control the flights of the main UAVs of the Russian Federation in order to minimize risks from their use by the enemy. - control of the activity of EW devices, control of FPV drones Frequency: - this device (hereinafter referred to as the receiver, monitoring point, receiving device, receiving point) is easy to manufacture and was personally tested by me during the year at various areas of the fronts At present, the UAVs of the enemy are being controlled by the staff units of the Russian Armed Forces and the Russian Armed Forces. Control is carried out by pelenag systems, of which there are relatively few and which are installed as far as possible from the front line in order to minimize the risks of their fire damage. Also, in many areas of the front, information about enemy UAVs is transmitted with a delay or - recording of UAV types, distances to them, movement. Fixation of departures and movement of attack UAVs of the "Lancet" format. Monitoring of flights of reconnaissance UAVs in the Ukrainian rear (such activity is almost always a "harbinger" of an attack on rear objects). Analysis of UAV activity (which is always a factor in the activity of the Russian military) Application: is not accurate. Realization: Machine Translated by Google You need to "see" the signals from the "receiver" while being in another place. To do this, you do everything in the same way as in option 1, but install a remote control program (for example, TimViewer) on your computer. You mount everything in a remote location, and you will control the "receiver" from your computer. Option 2 Of course, to bring the receiver "to zero", you need a computer of the smallest possible size, while it needs to have enough power for the SDR# program under Windows. A stable communication channel (Stralink, LTE modem) is also required. The computer should not "fall asleep", but should always be ready for connection. If you assemble a remote receiving point into a housing, remember the need for ventilation in this housing. In the heat, the computer enclosed in the case and the SDR receiver will heat up a lot. Option 1 (simple, I recommend beginners start with it) You buy an SDR receiver, connect it to your computer at the place of service. Install the SDR# program on your computer. Connect the LNA signal amplifier to the receiver. From the amplifier, "pull" the cable 5-15 meters to the roof, where you put the antenna. Before purchasing components and assembling, you need to choose the execution option Implementation option Who is interested, I managed to successfully assemble a remote receiver based on a mini computer of this type. Machine Translated by Google https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 32972753170.html The free SDR# program can be downloaded from the AirSpy website or found elsewhere at https:// airspy.com/ download We will use SDR HackRF, which can be bought in Ukraine (more expensive) or on Ali (cheaper for $80) The main system is the SDR receiver. Software Components and components Machine Translated by Google Of course, it will be aesthetically pleasing to collect all the elements in a case (not on a table), which can be bought online for 400-500 hryvnias. For example, on the Rosetta Frame Trivia https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 1005006431241921.html Don't buy 40- 50dB, excessive amplification will adversely affect the operation of the entire system. For better sensitivity of the receiver, I recommend using a low- noise amplifier with a gain of 20dB ($12). Low- noise amplifier To connect the amplifier to the receiver, you need a cable (SMA male- SMA male), not everyone knows how to solder it themselves. You can buy here for a couple of dollars https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 2033874631 Machine Translated by Google Cable Frequencies above 800 MHz are greatly attenuated in the cable, so the cable from the receiver to the antenna should be as short and as good as possible. Remember that the amplifier must be connected to power via a TypeC- USB cable Dollar adapter to go from SMA to "thick cable" with N type connector https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 4001293689143.html I recommend using RG8 or LMR 400 cable no longer than 10-20 meters. If you need a longer cable, you will have to move the amplifier to the antenna and feed it through the cable using BIAS TEE technology. You can buy the cable on OLX or, for example, here https:// selteq.com.ua Machine Translated by Google Remember that the antenna of the receiver and the receiver itself must be installed as far as possible from mobile communication antennas (especially the 900 MHz range). Also, the receiver cannot be brought close to electronic devices and antennas of WIFI transmission systems. Do not place the receiver next to mobile phone amplifiers. 1. Choose a place where the horizon is open towards the enemy. And not closed, for example, by a concrete building. When installing the antenna, remember that it is small and will not attract the attention of the enemy from the air. This type of antenna is used everywhere for "amplifiers" of mobile communication. The antenna can be painted with green or black spray paint. During the operation of the receiver, for example, on the roof of a private house, a fighter who at this moment is using a telephone in the yard under the antenna will create obstacles for you. When choosing an installation location, the main thing is: 2. If you want to see the UAV at a distance of 40-50 kilometers, you need to choose the highest place on the height map (for example, in Kropiv) will interfere Since you will observe the UAV in the "sky", there is no need to raise the antenna very high. On the contrary, if the antenna is placed high (for example, on an elevator), it will only be worse. You will accept all obstacles from the district and any EW dozens of kilometers away from you WARNING! The antenna of the SDR receiver does not emit anything and cannot be bearing Selection of installation location Machine Translated by Google You can buy such an antenna on "ali" or on olx. This antenna has less gain than the "wave channel" antenna, but it works in a wide range of 700-3000 MHz and its directional pattern is not so narrow. For UAV monitoring, the antenna should be placed vertically. 13 dollars https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 1005006055030100.html You can choose a directional or circular antenna for the reception point. I usually choose the option with a directional antenna, which I point in the direction of the enemy. A cheap log- periodic antenna from Chinese mobile amplifiers is ideal for air monitoring tasks. Antenna 9 dollars https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 1005003270061203.html It is also possible to use another type of directional sector- type antenna with the same wide band, more open pattern along the horizon, but with less gain. Machine Translated by Google https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 32837606167.html 10 dollars If you are going to not only receive UAV signals, but also try to determine the direction of flight by rotating the antenna along the horizon, then you there is no point in using a directional antenna. You may need a circular pattern antenna. This antenna receives a signal from all directions, but has low gain. A circular antenna with high gain also exists, but will cost much more. In some situations (for example, if you are right on the front line) https:// www.aliexpress.com/ item/ 32270674704.html a wave channel antenna is required. For example, here's one for $15. Machine Translated by Google - Select Sample rate 20 MSPS so that the bandwidth is a maximum of 20 MHz. - if you use an external amplifier, uncheck the Amp box - It is better to set the VGA gain slightly higher than the minimum - LNA gain can be set from average to maximum. This is the amplification of the signal in the input stage of the receiver. The program has many possibilities, and more than a dozen pages can be devoted to it. I will write literally the most important things for you. 2. Click the gear icon at the top left. There will be settings for the gain of the SDR receiver. 1. Select the HackRF device on the left in the Source field Program SDR# 4. Use the Range slider to adjust the visibility of the noise level at the bottom of the screen As a result, you should observe clear signals on the lower background. 6. You can adjust the speed of the blue screen here: the left part of the screen, FFT display item, Speed adjustment. To begin with, put it as far to the right as possible so that the blue screen moves quickly. 3. On the top right, the Zoom control adjusts the reception band. First, keep it in the down position to watch the maximum 20MHz band. 5. Use the Contrast control to adjust the visibility of signals on a contrasting background Machine Translated by Google 10 MHz. Lancet All Russian reconnaissance and attack UAVs transmit telemetry in the following ranges. The first thing you need to know is that base stations of mobile communication work in Ukraine on the frequencies 930-960 MHz. Their signals are powerful and can be seen everywhere. And of course, all beginners confuse them with UAVs. By the way, the same range is used for mobile communication in the Russian Federation, so neither ours nor Russian UAVs (including FPV) "fly" on frequencies 928- 960 MHz. 860-870 MHz 902-928 MHz This is what mobile signals look like. Broad signal is LTE. 960-1020 MHz Video signals from the UAV are transmitted in the following areas Signals and types of UAVs 1.3 GHz 2.2-2.6 GHz Any UAV can emit telemetry (control) signals and video transmission signals. The video signal is always wide and has a width of 4- 90% of the UAVs of the Russian Federation in all directions are Orlan, Superkam, Zala, Machine Translated by Google My observations: in the area of 902-920 MHz. Lancet is more often at 868 MHz If you see a stable signal level, Zala is "circling" on one Both UAVs are produced at the same factory and have the same radio modules, so it is impossible to distinguish them by signal. The signal is observed at frequencies of 868 MHz, 870 MHz, 915 MHz. Very rarely in my practice were cases of observing a signal of other frequencies The signal from Zala, Lancet is unique and easy to recognize. Two vertical stripes of dots on a blue spectrum background (waterfall). The dots are very close, 150-200kHz between them. In the spectrogram at the top of the screen, it looks like two bursts side by side. Alas, Lancet positions The lancet flies in a straight line towards you or to the side, and the signal from it usually rises or falls linearly. Lancet does not fly for more than 40 minutes (if more, then it is definitely Zala) Machine Translated by Google Orlan Old versions "fly" in the range of 902-928 MHz, new ones can be found in the range of 960-1020 MHz. Orlan transmits a PPRF signal with a width of 2 or 4 MHz. The signal of PPRC ORLAN looks like a chaotic set of horizontal lines. The signal looks like 10 vertical bars of dashes with a total width of 5 MHz. Each bar is 150 kHz wide. The signal can be observed in the range of 856-1020 MHz. Supercom Machine Translated by Google If the EW works on the frequencies of the UAV, it will look like this on the spectrogram Machine Translated by Google Any video signal has a characteristic appearance. This is a wide shelf on the spectrogram and a white band on the waterfall. The line width can be from 3 to 10 MHz. If the video signal from FPV is analog and open, then winged UAVs encrypt the video transmission channel. Any reconnaissance UAV can broadcast a picture in real time for reconnaissance or to adjust fire. Video signals Machine Translated by Google Supercam 1.3ÿÿÿ Aileron 1.2GHz Zala 2.2-2.6 GHz UAV designers can change video transmission modules and frequencies will also change, but for the "base" I will give information on video channels FPV Orlan 2.2-2.5GGc Almost all FPV drone pilots turn off the telemetry, so the drone flies without emitting anything but video. But for general understanding, the signal looks like this. PPRC, which is stretched much wider than winged UAVs in the 30-40 MHz band and can be found in the 700-1020 MHz area Machine Translated by Google 4. Direction finding of signal sources This is what the FPV signal looks like at 720-760 MHz (probably the Hermes module) Direction finding of a source of interference or a signal can be carried out by the classical method of triangulation. To do this, you need to set the SDR to the desired range and, rotating the directional antenna in a circle, choose the direction with the strongest signal. Mark the bearing (azimuth) on the map or in Kropiv. Machine Translated by Google - When the signal is barely visible at the waterfall, the level is very weak and the source is far away. - When the signal became clear, the distance to the object decreased. -When the signal on the waterfall is yellow or red, the level is very strong. At the same time, the peaks of the bursts are scaled to the entire screen. This means that the source is literally within a kilometer from you. These ratios of signal levels and distances are different for different purposes. One thing for the Maviks, another for the Orlans. Therefore, only personal experience will help you here. The signal level will be affected by the type of antenna, the presence of a cable between the antenna and the device, the gain of the low- noise amplifier, the reception location and the power of the transmitter. Therefore, in fact, you will be able to understand the distance after some time based on your experience, but only approximately. 5. Determining the distance to the target You can determine the distance to the signal source by the signal level. This will only be an approximate understanding of the distance. (Yagi). Of course, the direction finding accuracy will be low (compared to Plastun or TCI direction finders), but it is quite sufficient to determine approximate area of the signal source. Direction finding should be carried out at a distance of several meters from large metal or reinforced concrete objects. For accurate bearing, you need an antenna with a narrow directional pattern. A wave channel antenna is well suited for this Repeat the same process at another point, driving a few kilometers away. The intersection of two bearings will give you the location of the object. It is also better to take not two, but three bearings to increase accuracy. Machine Translated by Google