DIY: Building a Spy Device in Sneakers - Step by Step

Hi! These are spy sneakers that transmit radio waves (conversations or sounds) to a regular FM radio!

Let's get to work! We need high-top shoes or sneakers. Nike AIR Max is perfect because of their thick soles.

Let's start with the electronic circuit and its components. The circuit is very simple, even a schoolkid can assemble it. Just 15 components—what could be easier?

Let's lay out the resistors, capacitors, and other electronic components in their places so it's easier for you to understand. FOR QUALITY ASSEMBLY, I WILL USE A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT I DESIGNED MYSELF AND ORDERED FROM JLCPCB.

So, we upload the Gerber file to the site and make a few adjustments according to our preferences.

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The first component is a capacitor, so let's start with that! Although the spy radio bug circuit is very simple and doesn't have many electronic components, it is very powerful.The radio transmitter can transmit a signal from 5 to 30 meters. If you place the spy transmitter closer than 5 meters, it causes a lot of distortion, and the sound becomes like a microphone in a karaoke bar that's too close to the speakers or amplifier.

I'll be using Nike AIR MAX sneakers, as I mentioned earlier. Thanks to their thick soles, we have enough space to hide the printed circuit board. Remove the insole and then cut a window in the sole with a utility knife. You don't have to cut it all the way around; you can leave it as I did to have the option to turn the transmitter on or off.

The antenna will be made from UTP cable, allowing us to separate the two ends of the wire and get better radio wave transmission.The spy gadget operates on 3 to 6 V power, so to fit all components in the sneaker sole, you can use a mini 4.5 V battery or a 3 V 2032 battery, like I do.Let's do a small test. Find the appropriate FM frequency for the transmitter. It's around 87–89 MHz.The FM transmitter and FM receiver are very close to each other, so there's distortion or no signal. The ideal working distance is about 15–20 meters for a stable signal with minimal interference.

We start gradually installing all components and camouflaging them in the shoe sole. Leave the antenna long in the sole and place it around the edges of the insole. If you want the bug to pick up signals at a longer distance, you need to make an antenna in the shape of the sole and place it under the insole. The FM radio receiver also needs a powerful antenna. This way, you can catch the signal from over 30 meters away!