Vintage Mr. Microphone hacked into spy device

We've seen the viewfinder of a VHS camcorder hacked into a night-vision headset, but this just might be even more retro than that. For those old seasoned enough to remember Ronco's Mr. Microphone, you may recall just how boring it became after a few short minutes of use. If you somehow managed to not discard the thing over the years, we've found the perfect use for it: a discrete spying device. Essentially, DIYers can strip the innards out, re-solder a few pieces and shove the resulting tidbits into an unassuming air freshener. From there, just tune to whatever open frequency you can find and you've got yourself a wireless eavesdropping tool like no other. Video after the break.

Mr. Microphone Hack! - video powered by Metacafe

[Wes @ Jun 16th 2008 9:27AM]

um.... fm bug kits are available at just about any hobbyist shop.

But thanks for the memories of that guy in the convertible using his Mr. Microphone to hit on that girl.

[Flashpoint @ Jun 16th 2008 9:27AM]

Why doesn't anyone ever hide a Wire in something so common as a high end cellphone?

I don't think a mob boss would look at me holding an iphone or texting during a mob meeting and think "wire"...I think they'd just think I liked high end stuff.

Sometimes the best way to hide things is in plain sight.

Clocks are old school.
Thermostats are old school.

Why not hide wires in a fake FIRE HYDRANT.

[Willtastic @ Jun 16th 2008 9:32AM]

You don't even need to hide a wire in a cell phone..

my sources tell me that most modern cell phones have the ability to record/transmit audio built in

crazy, huh?

[Jack @ Jun 16th 2008 9:41AM]

what the hell!? where did you get one like that!

[Jeff @ Jun 16th 2008 10:56AM]

Didn't he say something like "Hey good lookin', we'll be back to pick you up later!". Ah, those were the good old days......

[derspiess42 @ Jun 16th 2008 12:36PM]

That's exactly it. Or at least how I remember it. I remember laughing at that as a kid, yet wanting one for myself.

Good times, indeed...

[Jake @ Jun 16th 2008 3:30PM]

The guy in the car wasn't nearly as funny as the jive-walkin cat breakin it down on his way home from the bus depot.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CYEXBTlWf_4

-jp

[Tyler @ Jun 16th 2008 11:26AM]

It was KipKay from Metacafe....

[TavisJohn @ Jun 16th 2008 11:30AM]

Radio Shack used to have this FM Mic kit that you could assemble yourself. And if you were crative you would get an "N" battery holder and cram the whole thing in a 15mm film canaster! You could hide that puppy on a bookshelf, and hide the antenna wire between books. It worked GREAT!

[KR @ Jun 16th 2008 11:55AM]

We got a truckin' convoy! Cross the USA! CON-VOY!

[John @ Jun 16th 2008 12:09PM]

I remember that commercial. I must be old.

[CubeGuy @ Jun 16th 2008 3:18PM]

Yes. Yes you are.

[- k E n - @ Jun 16th 2008 9:06PM]

"whipped it out and put it to good use"

pretty sure most of us guys have been doing that since like forever. :)