Over the years, many of the devices shown below have been sold openly to the general public by a number of firms, in flagrant disregard of Federal law prohibiting such devices.  One firm alone boasts of many "thousands of satisfied customers"!

The most common eavesdropping transmitters (telephone and room type) were originally designed to be operated in or near the standard FM broadcast band of 88MHz to 108MHz. These first-generation bugs would broadcast their 'overheard' conversations on standard FM frequencies. Anyone in range with an FM radio could listen-in or record the broadcast.

However, because the possibility of inadvertent discovery was so great, eavesdroppers quickly abandoned standard FM frequencies. They soon turned to frequencies just above and just below the standard broadcasting band.

'BODY WIRE' TRANSMITTER

Also known simply as a 'wire,' this device is utilized most frequently by law enforcement agencies to obtain virtually irrefutable evidence. Also used by private individuals and firms because the operation of this unit frequently does not violate state and federal statutes prohibiting 'surreptitious' interception. The nature of the body wire, in that the wearer must be a party to the conversation, negates the 'bugging' aspects in many jurisdictions. Price, range and quality of sound pick-up vary widely with many, many manufacturers now producing the unit for government agencies. Its size varies from about 2" x 3" to 3" x 6". Transmitting range ranges from 300' to 2,000' depending on terrain and quality of unit and receiver. A variety of transmitting frequencies are available and utilized.

CONCEALED WALL PLUG TRANSMITTER
(SPY-CAM ADAPTABLE)

This ingenious little device is actually a very sensitive room transmitter that will pick up and transmit all sounds and conversations in a 400 square foot room. The unit is built into a standard wall plug, available at any department or hardware store. The 3 sockets function normally and except for a small pinhole designed to expose the microphone, it is virtually impossible to differentiate from a standard wall plug without disassembling the device. The small pinhole is also ideal for a spy-cam or a 'screw-cam', a spy-cam with its lens masked by the head of a screw.

CONCEALED 6 SOCKET PLUG TRANSMITTER
(SPY-CAM ADAPTABLE)

This device utilizes the same basic circuitry as the previous unit and has largely similar operating characteristics. All six sockets function normally, and this unit also cannot be detected by external visual examination. A different configuration is the linear 'power strip' variation. The additional space available in these larger housings is often used for additional stages of amplification, and some units deliver a slightly better range that the three socket unit. However, range remains relatively limited, due to the absence of an antenna. Few units exceed a 250 foot transmission range even under ideal conditions. As above, spy-cams are easily concealed within these units as well.

A number of modern commercially-available transmitters allow the user to adjust the transmitting frequency just beyond each end of the standard FM band.  Thus, while normal FM frequencies range from 88MHz to 108MHz, these bugs transmit at frequencies between 78MHz and 88 MHz, or between 108MHz and 118MHz. On the high end, the transmitters broadcast on many aircraft frequencies, and many specialized and hobbyist radios are designed to receive these frequencies. On the low end, the audio transmitted by these bugs may actually be picked up on standard television receivers. A large number of these transmitters were also made to operate between 30MHZ and 50MHz, and still others in the 150MHz to 175MHz area.  Frequencies above and below these are also utilized and provide considerably less probability of random discovery.

CONCEALED WALL OUTLET TRANSMITTER
(SPY-CAM ADAPTABLE)

This unit displays excellent quality sound pick-up and operating characteristics, as do the previous units, with one very important exception: the installation of this unit -- within a wall -- makes possible the addition of an antenna. A flexible wire antenna is usually extended between the building studs and tacked along the inside of the wall, with the length varying with operating frequency. This antenna greatly boosts the transmission range, and some units can exceed 1,500 feet. The circuitry is mounted on the back of the unit and is easily distinguished from the standard unit once it is visually examined.

CONCEALED LAMP TRANSMITTER

Displaying the same basic operating characteristics as the preceding device, this unit requires no installation and can be introduced into a room as easily as plugging in the lamp. It is relocated just as easily. An antenna is usually concealed in the lamp itself or within extension cord. Installation has been known to be accomplished very easily via the Trojan horse or gift ruse. Some units transmit only when the light is turned on, but some transmit constantly whenever the lamp is plugged in. Variations of this device can, obviously, also be concealed in televisions and radios. Range can exceed 1,500 feet.

To conserve battery power, some room transmitters are voice-activated and start transmitting automatically when sounds or conversations begin, and turn off when sounds cease. Many telephone transmitters start when the telephone is picked up and turn off when the telephone is hung up. Of course, any conversation that can be monitored can also be recorded. The recording may be done manually or automatically through the use of 'carrier switches' that start and stop the recorder whenever the eavesdropping transmitter turns on and off. A tape recorder may be wired to the receiver, and the two placed in the trunk of an automobile located a considerable distance from the actual site being monitored. In this manner, the eavesdropper need only return to the car occasionally to replace tapes.

VEHICLE TRACKING DEVICE ('BUMPER-BEEPER')

Used for following and tracking automobiles without being observed. Its size can vary from 1" x 2" to 3" x 5" with the larger units providing superior range. Requires an antenna for maximum range and will provide directional information from a distance of up to five miles. Frequencies vary with individual manufacturers. Standard broadcast FM frequencies are extremely uncommon, but not unheard of. When tracking a moving auto, two tracking autos are usually preferred for more precise triangulation. Bumper-beepers work extremely well when tracking an auto through heavy traffic or when the subject is aware of the possibility of being tail. The unit is typically affixed to the underside of the vehicle using magnets. The inside of the bumper has proven ideal for concealment because even auto mechanics seldom have cause to check that area. Because most eavesdropping legislation is directed at the interception of oral or data communications, the use of this device for surveillance purposes appears to have been completely overlooked.

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