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Comment by belltaco | Hacker News Reader

Can you develop a sensor that detects high levels of this kind of radiation that can be put in a pocket or a purse and connects to a smartphone.

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You don't need to develop anything. This is a bog standard antenna exercise. At the level of power being used here, detecting it is trivial. The only issue for an omnidirectional antenna is perhaps portability. The powers that be most likely already know who is behind the attacks, or at least have a good guess. What they are willing to sell to the press is another question entirely.

I've always wondered what the reasoning behind discussing these topics with the press. I can understand if some nosy reporter is doing their job, uncovering information that is being hidden from the public. But in situations like this, I can't really see the value in discussing with the press; and I'm sure they wouldn't say anything to the press without getting some value from it.

Given how long this particular article goes on about how they don't know anything, they're baffled etc., I'm guessing the value of it is in concealing how much they do know. Maybe an adversary is responsible and they know perfectly well and want to make further observations. Or maybe our own spy agencies are responsible.

These exist for occupational use as PPE, not unlike ionizing radiation monitors, e.g. https://www.atecorp.com/category/personal-rf-monitors

> connects to a smartphone

Believe it or not, your smartphone already has hardware for dealing with microwaves.

Only within certain frequency ranges. There are filters that block everything else.

Embassies around the world already monitor the radio spectrum very carefully.

Collecting intelligence is one of the main reasons for international diplomacy to exist.

It doesn't connect to a smartphone, but I have a device about the size of a TV remote I use for measuring interference that would pick this up. It cost me about $9 in parts minus the arduino and 3D printer resin to make.

Sure. Small microwave radio receivers exist.

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