Investigator515
Investigator515

Investigator515

Writing about cybersecurity, technology, and open source intelligence strategies. Passionate about giving people the tools they need to feel empowered by technology, not overwhelmed. Did we also mention we're straight-up nerds at heart? Get the latest information on blog posts and production information via Telegram: t.me/investigator515


Silent Wars: USS Parche (SSN-683)

27 Oct 2025 4 minute read 0 comments Investigator515

It’s fair to say that while submarines were a key part of WW2, they really didn’t reach their full utility until the early days of the Cold War. While the diesel engine would go through several iterations to help improve its utility as a sub-surface...

SCADA over Radio: Vulnerabilities In RF Links

25 Oct 2025 4 minute read 0 comments Investigator515

SCADA provides convenience at the expense of overall security.Critical infrastructure can often be a hot issue in cyber. Not only do people have differing views and opinions on a multitude of issues, but overall, discussing the general importa...

Radio Hackers: Preamplifiers & LNAs

21 Oct 2025 5 minute read 1 comment Investigator515

If you’re new to the radio scene, it can often be difficult to cut through the noise and figure out what you need. And, while there are now great package deals available to give you antennas, receivers and preamps in the one kit, you’ll still need to...

What The Tech?! Ballpoint Pens

18 Oct 2025 5 minute read 4 comments Investigator515

“The pen is mightier than the sword” — Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1839 When this phrase was first uttered in 1839, it would be one of the first nods that highlighted the role that words and literature would play in the modern world. In a world that alread...

Exploring Espionage: USS Pueblo (AGER-2)

12 Oct 2025 6 minute read 3 comments Investigator515

When we think of spies and spying, we often get visions of covert figures hiding in the shadows, as well as all manner of gadgets that aim to assist in the art of gathering intelligence. But, as we’ve seen over the series, spies aren’t just people. T...

The HackRF Portapack H4

7 Oct 2025 4 minute read 0 comments Investigator515

The HackRF one isn’t without its flaws. But when paired with the Portapack system and the Mayhem firmware, it provides a useful, all-in-one system that is a great educational tool that beginners can use to learn about the radio spectrum and various t...

SOSUS: The Sound Surveillance System

5 Oct 2025 6 minute read 0 comments Investigator515

SOSUS would help give the US a technical edge during the Cold War.  As the Cold War unravelled, we would see all manner of weapons systems theorised, conceptualised, and brought to life. In a matter of years, weapons technology would be supercharged,...

What The Tech?! Carbon Fibre

2 Oct 2025 5 minute read 1 comment Investigator515

If you’re into sports, cars or aerospace, you won’t have to look too hard to find the usage of carbon fibre. While some inventions take time to develop and come to life, Carbon fibre was not one of those inventions. With its lightweight, high tensile...

Spies In The Mud: The RF-111 Aardvark

30 Sep 2025 8 minute read 0 comments Investigator515

With the U-2 and SR-71 on its books, the United States Air Force wasn’t exactly lacking for a capable reconnaissance platform. However, some fast jet platforms were more valuable than others. In fact, in the 1980s, if you didn’t have a spy satellite...

Firmware Fails: Unbricking The HackRF One

27 Sep 2025 5 minute read 0 comments Investigator515

Thanks to DFU, the HackRF Portapack is almost unbrickable. One of the best things about the HackRF portapack is the sheer amount of utility that the Mayhem firmware brings to the table. In comparison to the standard unit, which requires power and a c...