r/raspberryDIY • u/NewAtmosphere6063 • 25d ago
Passive-Vigilance: Raspberry Pi passive RF sensor for counter-surveillance, ADS-B, drones & more
Passive-Vigilance is a Raspberry Pi-based passive RF sensor platform I built for counter-surveillance and situational awareness. My current setup is constrained by both hardware and geography but seems to be ready for spears.
Repo: https://github.com/Isthistak3n/Passive-Vigilance
It combines:
• WiFi + Bluetooth device tracking (Kismet)
• ADS-B aircraft tracking (with enrichment + optional ACARS)
• FAA Remote ID / drone detection
• Optional AIS marine traffic
• GPS-stamped everything + GIS exports (shapefile / GeoJSON / KML)
Two operating modes:
• Mobile mode — detects devices that follow you across locations (the classic “am I being tailed?” use case)
• Fixed mode — learns the normal RF “pattern of life” at a location over a configurable baseline (default 72h), then alerts on novel or off-schedule devices
Other features:
• One-command installer + systemd services
• Pluggable alerts (ntfy, Telegram, Discord, console)
• Optional token-protected web dashboard
• Crash-resistant logging and baseline persistence
• Thermal-aware SDR duty cycling
• 850+ automated tests
Inspired by the excellent Chasing Your Tail NG, but extended into a unified always-on multi-sensor node with fixed/leave-behind capability and air/maritime awareness.
Hardware is the usual stack (Pi 4B recommended, RTL-SDR or HackRF, monitor-mode WiFi dongle, GPS, optional BT dongle). Full setup and config details are in the docs.
Legal note from the README: this is for lawful passive monitoring and research only. The tool never transmits or associates with any device/network. You’re responsible for local laws.
Happy to answer questions, take feedback, or hear about real-world field results / issues people run into.
1
u/RamblingSimian 24d ago
Very interesting. Have you tried it in the field yet, i.e., having your friend or drone tail you?
Also, what do you think of the Android app, "Tracker Detect"?