Cyberdeck: "System In A Box" Build

Cyberdeck v1 Build

The goal of building this "system in a box" was to put something together that was a full-fledged portable network, had a mini-server, SDR/radio capabilities, GPS, and Bluetooth, all on the go! But it needed to be powered by a portable battery (such as a Jackery) or via a power inverter from a car. 

This is what I came up with and is my first attempt at this "system in a box" Cyberdeck! This build has been working MUCH better than I expected and has come together very well, but I am still tweaking and modifying stuff over time and am open to suggestions :)

The main parts used in this build...

• Multicomp PRO 17" Yellow Waterproof Case:
  https://a.co/d/aZRakl1
  
  
• ZimaBoard SBC Server:
  https://shop.zimaboard.com/products/zimaboard-single-board-server?
  
  
• GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 Secure Travel Router:
  https://a.co/d/dyNgBU7
  
  
• Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch:
  https://a.co/d/cz2iDkj
  
  
• BESTEK 300W Power Inverter:
  https://a.co/d/2XSxYb7
• OneBeat Power Strip/Surge Protector:
  https://a.co/d/ccAQeGF
  
  
• MNN Portable Monitor 15.6inch FHD Monitor:
  https://a.co/d/5ocdXFd
• 90-degree Mini HDMI Male to HDMI Female Connector:
  https://a.co/d/99wT4wL
• 90-degree USB-C Male to Female Adapter
  https://a.co/d/4bOUqIm
  
  
• Alfa AC1900 WiFi Adapter:
  https://a.co/d/ektisw6
• Adafruit Bluefruit LE Sniffer:
  https://a.co/d/fOzLWJW
  
  
• RTL-SDR Blog V4:
  https://a.co/d/0ouBpkG
• Nooelec Lana Barebones - LNA:
  https://a.co/d/38H3Utx
• RTL-SDR Wideband Low Noise Amplifier (Bias Tee Powered):
  https://a.co/d/bpfSTTj
• OPEK CX-5 Coaxial Antenna Switch:
  https://a.co/d/b30Fkid
  
  
• RCmall forM8N USB GPS Module w/ Antenna:
  https://a.co/d/iI0cCWB
• GlobalSat BU-353N USB GNSS GPS:
  https://a.co/d/71nQveA
  
  
• SMA Male to SMA Male Antenna Cables:
  https://a.co/d/d091ak6
• Clip-on Ferrite Ring Core RFI EMI Noise Suppressors:
  https://a.co/d/hOQU7ru
  
  
• ERCRYSTO Card Reader and 3 Ports USB:
  https://a.co/d/87Mgq8g
• SmartQ H302S USB 3.0 Hub:
  https://a.co/d/gz7sqbC
  
  
• Rare Earth Magnets (For External/Case Antenna Mounting):
  https://a.co/d/dlDUqQ2

Pacific NW Computers

www.linktr.ee/pnwcomputers

Flipper Zero: Tips & Tricks To Help Get You Started!

Flipper Zero: Tips & Tricks

So what is a Flipper Zero anyway?
The Flipper Zero website describes the device as "a portable multi-tool for pen-testers and geeks in a toy-like body. It loves hacking digital stuff, such as radio protocols, access control systems, hardware, and more. It's fully open-source and customizable, so you can extend it in whatever way you like."

I do own and use a Flipper Zero, but I do NOT use it for anything nefarious and don't plan on ever using it for anything like that. But I do find it VERY handy to learn about digital security risks around me with my own systems, as well as help identify and secure weaknesses for my clients! 

If you do end up purchasing one of these devices, I have a few tips to help get you going!

1. You NEED to have a micro SD Card to be able to set up and use your Flipper Zero, but the Flipper Zero unfortunately does NOT come with an SD card.
• Use a 32GB or smaller micro SD card; the higher the quality the better!
• I typically format an SD card with exFAT, FAT16, or FAT32 on a computer before installing the MicroSD card into Flipper Zero. I have run into issues formatting a micro SD card through the Flipper Zero itself. So I recommend formatting your micro SD card using a computer before you install it into your Flipper Zero.
2. Install the qFlipper software and with your Flipper Zero connected to a computer installed with qFlipper, update your Flipper Zero's firmware and databases:
• https://flipperzero.one/update
3. Next, I like to install third-party firmware. Lately have been a BIG fan of the Flipper Xtreme firmware due to its pre-installed features and tools: 
• https://github.com/Flipper-XFW/Xtreme-Firmware
4. Next, I recommend going through the FlipperZero Online Documentation to learn how to use the different/various functions of the FlipperZero:
• https://docs.flipper.net/sub-ghz
5. There is also a YouTube channel from a creator called "The Talking Sasquatch" that has some great guides to help you get going using a Flipper Zero as well!
   
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12M_oHmxcCQ

Recommended Add-Ons:

• Wifi Development Board (for Marauder and other Wifi tools):
• https://a.co/d/fKBv8jf
  
• External C1101 SubGhz GPIO Antenna:
• https://a.co/d/49m8ycu

Pacific NW Computers

www.linktr.ee/pnwcomputers

Make 802.11ac Work Correctly On A Linksys WRT1900AC

Make 802.11ac Work Correctly On A Linksys WRT1900AC Router

I have had a Linksys WRT1900AC router for quiet sometime now, and in it's name it says that is an AC router. Since I have AC compatible Wifi devices, theoretically I should be able to get a max speed of around 1300 Mbps. In reality it would likely see something around 600 Mbps to something around 1024 Mbps due to the connections being wireless and can have interference. What I recently discovered though was that I was getting 802.11n speeds on my devices. I found that to be weird. So  I checked the route's settings.

Under "Network Mode" in the router's settings (logged in through a browser via the router's IP address), I found that the only options for wireless network modes were for A, N or A/N. But nowhere in the menus/options does it specify an option for 802.11ac!?

That was baffling to me seeing as this router is capable of doing 802.11ac according to Linksys AND it's in the devices NAME. So I figured that I was doing something wrong or I was not looking in the right place. Naturally, I checked their FAQ section and found nothing on this.
I also did what I tell ALL my customers to do and read the manual; found no assistance there.

After doing someone line research I found that if flipped the setting in "Network Mode from A/N only to Mixed (and after a reboot of the router) I had 802.11ac speeds! This router apparently HAS to be on "Mixed Mode" for AC speeds to be achieved. Very odd that Linksys would NOT include an AC option in the "Network Mode" section in the router settings, or make it more clear the A/N mode disables/prevents AC speeds all together.

Since I was able to figure it out, I wanted to make this post to hopefully help folks out that find themselves with the same or similar issue!

Pacific Northwest Computers

www.pnwcomputers.com

360.624.7379