PHV Equipment Check for DEFCON 24 [revised 201:10:40]

08/10/2016 UPDATE: This post also appeared in the Wall of Sheep blog ->> CLICK HERE

They say not to bring any electronic devices at DEFCON!? .... what's the fun in that? Well, your mother also said not to get in a strange car with a stranger... UBER, anyone?

It’s time to prep your gear for the Packet Hacking Village (PHV) at DEFCON 24. Although, the PHV staff will have some gear for you to use, I highly recommend to bring your own "FOR DEFCON USE ONLY" gear.

For the Wall of Sheep and Wi-Fi Sheep Hunt you'll need a laptop with wired and wireless sniffing capabilities. I spent about $200 for a used laptop from eBay. Also, invested on an Alpha wireless USB card from Amazon, load Kali on the laptop and you're basically good to go. Most tools you'll need are already included in Kali.  The PHV staff can help you refine your setup and config depending on what event you want to try out.

For Sheep City, you can use the same laptop you plan to use for WOS and WIFISH.  But it will require a bit more creativity and possibly a visit to the vendor area or Fry's.  Prep for Bluetooth, ZigBee, IrDa, RF...etc. Be ready for anything.

Packet Detective runs like a classroom format. IMHO, this is a "MUST DO" event at PHV. PHV will have laptops setup for PD Agent trainees to use... Yes, you don't have to bring your own laptop to participate.  This is a very popular event and laptops are limited. Sign up early.

Wi-Fi Sheep Hunt will also have a sign-up sheet for the gear use this year. You can use your own equipment to join the RF Sheep Hunt and code breaking fun.  There will also be a couple of laptops for players to use, if you're to chicken to use yours, but only for limited time slots. 

Capture the Packet has produced Black Badge winners at DEFCON. If you're just prepping now, you're already behind... you get my drift.

If you're asking which one to do first, I'd say do it all! But if it's your first ever visit at PHV, here's the order of events I'd suggest..

1. Packet Detective
2. Wall of Sheep
3. WiFi Sheep Hunt
4. Sheep City
5. Capture The Packet

Don't forget about the PHV Speaker Workshops which are excellent that it's almost always standing room only, no equipment required... well, maybe at least a pen and paper. PHV is also an excellent spot if you just want to hangout. Drop by and check out our DJs at the WOSDJCO... it will be hard to miss them -> required equipment = a drink in hand.  

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WIFISH: Fox Hunting with a Handheld Radio

Foxhunting with a Handheld Radio

NOTE: I've have not tried this personally but will update this blog when I get the chance to test this technique.  The information below are excerpts  from: http://www.homingin.com/equipment.html

Handie-Talkie Tricks

(Adapted from a handout given to first-timers at southern California two-meter international-style foxhunts.) 

If you are a typical ham radio operator, all you need to get started quickly and find foxes successfully is your VHF/UHF handi-talkie (HT) or scanner and some simple accessories.  

The most elementary way is called the "body fade" or "body shield" technique.  Hold your HT tight against your chest and turn around slowly, looking for the direction at which your body blocks the signal most effectively (the signal null).  At this point, the signal is coming from behind you.  Walk in the direction of the null, taking bearings at regular intervals, and observe the signal strength get stronger.

When the signal is so strong that you can't find the null, tune 5 or 10 KHz off frequency to put the signal into the skirts of the receiver's IF passband.  If your hand-held is dual-band (144/440 MHz) and you are hunting on two meters, try tuning to the much weaker third harmonic of the signal in the 70 cm band while performing the "body shield."


Disconnecting the HT's "rubber duck" antenna will knock down the signal even more.  Hearing the signal with antenna off is usually a "You are here!" indicator.  Some foxtailers wrap aluminum foil around their HTs to attenuate the signal even more.  
WARNING: If you do this, be sure to put insulating tape over the battery charging terminals on the bottom of the set first.  You might damage the radio by shorting these terminals with the foil.


The "body fade" null, which is rather shallow to begin with, can be filled in by signal reflections (multipath), nearby objects, etc.  When using this method, stay away from large buildings, chain-link fences, metal signs, and the like.  If you do not get a good null, move to a clearer location and try again.