Warspying

by Particle Bored

Are you having a hard time figuring out what to do with your X10 camera now that you are done playing practical jokes on friends and family?

For less than $50 you can put the X10 receiver in your car and begin screwing around with complete strangers.

Standard disclaimer:  I don't accept responsibility for my own actions, so I definitely won't assume responsibility for yours.  If TVs in vehicles are illegal in your area, or should you get decapitated from a TV flying around in your car it's your problem.

Here is what you will need to get started:

• Jensen J53-BW TV/Monitor (only $25 at Target)
• X10 Receiver
• DC Power Cord with "L" Connector
• DC Power "Y" Adapter
• Velcro

The Jensen TV is a 5-inch black and white portable monitor that has both video and audio RCA input jacks.  It can run on AC, DC, or batteries and comes with a car lighter adapter.

The X10 receiver is intended for indoor use, so it is shipped with only an AC adapter.  If you look at the output of the adapter though, you'll see that it is 12 volt DC which means you can run the receiver straight off your car battery.

Since I wanted the system to be easily removed, I decided to power it with another lighter cord (the one with the "L" connector).  It is positive-tipped, so make sure you have the polarity right.

Now plug everything together.  Nearly all of the connectors can only go in one place.  The RCA connectors are fully color-coded, so if you can't figure out how to do it, fire up the IM client on your Mac and ask your grandmother.

I mounted the monitor and receiver on my dashboard with Velcro.  If this method obstructs your view you can put the monitor on the passenger seat or floor.  Make sure you don't mount anything where it might hinder the deployment of an airbag.

Now hit the road.  I found my first camera within 60 seconds on the very next block.  I typically find one about every 15 minutes.

In closing here are a few things I learned the first day:

• Don't worry about the channel switch on your receiver - most folks leave it on the default channel "A".
• The transmitters have a range of only around 100 yards so you will need to be somewhat close to your target.
• You'll tend to get audio before video, so you'll know you are onto something when the static on the TV goes away.  Keep your eyes on the road and pull over when you start receiving audio.
• You'll notice several definite patterns appear on the monitor at times.  For example, I have seen both narrow and wide horizontal lines.  If you identify the devices that cause them, write to the Letters section of 2600 and let everyone know.  I would bet one of them is a 2.4 GHz cordless phone...
• I was able to get perfect cable TV twice.  Is someone using wireless for extensions or something?