HOW TO CREATE A WIFI POCKET BOOK (PIRATE BOX / LIBRARY BOX)
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This guide will show you how to turn an ordinary pocket book into a stealth wireless access point, perfect for offline file sharing, chat and meshnetworking. The hardware works with both PirateBox and LibraryBox software and can be connected to by lots of different devices at once.




PHOTOS


- Little black book
- In hand
- Inside 1
- Inside 2
- Stealth on/off switch



PARTS


- TPLink MR3020 travel router
- Pocket book (the total page thickness must be at least 1cm)
- Adafruit Powerboost 500
- 1000mAh lipo battery
- A switch
- USB MicoSD adaptor (with MicroSD)
- MiniUSB plug
- Some wire
- Heat shrink tubing



TOOLS/MATERIALS


- Small flathead screwdriver
- Soldering iron
- Solder wick (optional)
- Desolder pump
- Glue
- A craft knife
- Metal rule
- Wire stripper
- Helping hands (optional)
- A lighter



HOW-TO GUIDE


Step 1. Depending on what software you want to run, go to either the PirateBox [http://piratebox.cc] or LibraryBox [http://librarybox.us] websites and follow the instructions to install the firmware.


Step 2. Remove board from MR3020 case.


Step 3. Desolder the ethernet and usb plugs from the board.


Step 4. Wire up the MicroSD adaptor and then solder it directly to the board


Step 5. Now we need to create the power circuit. Solder the custom mini USB plug to the powerboost, then modify the battery wires and add the switch.


Step 6. Connect it together and test the power.


Step 7. Measure and cut the gap from the inside of the book.


Step 8. Glue the inside edge of the book and press it closed with something heavy for about an hour.


Step 9. I lined the back of the book with electrical tape so that the electronics don’t directly touch the paper.


Step 10. Add the hardware and sitck it in place with glue or tape.


Finished. Power everything on and you now have an inconspicuous, file-sharing book! Leave it in a public place like a library, campus or cafe, and see who connects.



VIDEO CREDITS


Music (with permission):
Stendeck - Learning How To Walk Through Walls
[Stendeck.com]



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BY CHRIS ROBINSON