Wifi mapping seems to require in place training specific to the space from what I can tell so don't think that'll work for your usage case.
Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
11–20 of 71 posts
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#12For anyone trying to find and map electrical wires in their walls I recommend an inductive electromagnetic listening device like the FarField on Tindie. Plug a device into an outlet and you'll be able to hear the electromagnetic field of the wire in your wall via the FarField's stereo inductors. Soma Ether is also a good one but pricey.
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#13To me, WiFi is the X in an XY problem. An endoscope can be had for https://www.google.com/search?q=endoscope Good luck.
I think you meant borescopes[0]. Endoscopes are for medical use.
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#14To me, WiFi is the X in an XY problem. An endoscope can be had for https://www.google.com/search?q=endoscope Good luck.
sure，this is X。
real way i think is to ask for Decoration worker, not these work with a computer
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
That requires putting holes int he walls, doesnt it?
It takes 2 minutes to fix a hole with filler paste. You can also find a discrete place to put it, like the opposite side of the wall, under the threshold, behind a closet, using existing holes for wiring. Drilling gently through wood or gypsum, you will notice immediately that you got through the sheet, before you can even hit a pipe or anything else behind. Then use that hole for the endoscopy to map out the beams a…
As i have not done this, my concern was drilling into wiring. I have a multi story house and i figured there could be writing that drops down through the walls that are not directly aligned with any switch.
Am i being overly paranoid ?
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#16Did you look into stud finders? They’re devices specifically made to detect pipes and electrical wiring in walls. I love that you immediately went to WiFi for this though. Gotta love us tech people over complicating things haha!
I can see the appeal of wifi/radar-like detection.
Metal detectors work well, but he'd have to go over each wall meticulously. That would probably take quite some time.
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
It takes 2 minutes to fix a hole with filler paste. You can also find a discrete place to put it, like the opposite side of the wall, under the threshold, behind a closet, using existing holes for wiring. Drilling gently through wood or gypsum, you will notice immediately that you got through the sheet, before you can even hit a pipe or anything else behind. Then use that hole for the endoscopy to map out the beams a…
As i have not done this, my concern was drilling into wiring. I have a multi story house and i figured there could be writing that drops down through the walls that are not directly aligned with any switch. Am i being overly paranoid ?
> Am i being overly paranoid ?
This is a good quality when drilling holes in the walls. Fortunately, technology to the rescue! Plenty of metal/stud/voltage detectors on your favorite hardware or online store.
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#18Did you look into stud finders? They’re devices specifically made to detect pipes and electrical wiring in walls. I love that you immediately went to WiFi for this though. Gotta love us tech people over complicating things haha!
Good instinct. This way we may, one day, get a tricorder to do these things from a distance, instead of ten different tools requiring extensive setup or very manual, meticulous process to use.
That said, if you want the job actually done any time soon, stud finder sounds like a better choice for now.
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#19An educated guess, but I'd think wifi signal object detection works on recording a baseline (empty room signals) and then doing a diff to the baseline when some object moves. If that's the case, you cound not use the wifi signal to map the static room itself.
you can have a monitor wifi card that moves on an axis
Re: Ask HN: Any tools to do generic WiFi imaging?
#20For anyone trying to find and map electrical wires in their walls I recommend an inductive electromagnetic listening device like the FarField on Tindie. Plug a device into an outlet and you'll be able to hear the electromagnetic field of the wire in your wall via the FarField's stereo inductors. Soma Ether is also a good one but pricey.
Do you think you could trace copper pipes with the same technique?