Bench-Tested Circuits For Surveillance And Countersurveillance Technicians [Paperback]

Tom Larsen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873649176 | ISBN-13: 978-0873649179 | Publication Date: January 1, 1997

If you're hungry for updated, practical electronic circuits, this is a beggar's banquet. Not only do these ingenious circuits - some never published - really work, but they're simple, inexpensive and fun. Includes clear explanations and schematics plus real-life applications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873649176
• ISBN-13: 978-0873649179
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,435,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Does not cover the expected circuits as expect by its title., September 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bench-Tested Circuits For Surveillance And Countersurveillance Technicians (Paperback)

This book doe not cover the expected circuits such as transmitters, bugs and such devices as one would expect from the title. The citruits it reveals are uninteresting and bland and are more interested to a hobbiest than for surveylance.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother !!!, February 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bench-Tested Circuits For Surveillance And Countersurveillance Technicians (Paperback)

Once again, our friend at Paladin Press have done it again. They have produced / published a very substanded book, and then attempt to flog-it to the public with all the enthusiasm and zeal of a politician up for re-election. Don't waste your time. Don't waste your money. There are plenty of good books on this subject, this book is most certainly not one of them !

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some may find this useful., October 27, 2003

By 

John A. Faulkner "signalsnatcher" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bench-Tested Circuits For Surveillance And Countersurveillance Technicians (Paperback)

As the title suggests, this book is a collection of circuits. The circuits are all well-designed and functional although they do seem chosen at random. The technology is old (very old, I have seen versions of these from the 1940s) but it does work - mostly. This book is probably pitched at the self-taught private detective who is not too fussy about the local eavesdropping laws. This is definitely not what your country's internal securty force is using!

Despite the title there is nothing in this book that you could not find in any good text on electronics design or acoustic engineering; indeed that's what the professionals would be using. But for students who are bright but directionless "design a bug for the principal's office" is always a better motivator than "read chapter six and attempt the odd-numbered questions". For security professionals it defines the lower end of the threat spectrum - not what government agencies are using.

Circuit schematics are provided along with a theoretical description and some practical tips.

The book presents the circuits in six sections:
In the section on surveillance, the circuits include a simple subcarrier generator for an FM bug, a hookswitch bypass for older style (non-electronic) phones and some very old (but useful) techniques for hardwire and telephone taps. Some voice activation circuits and high gain amplifiers are also mentioned.
The section on remote control offers some very simple but useful techniques turning common consumer electronics into remote controlled devices.
The section of infra-red flashers provides variations on the same circuit - a blinking IRED which can be tracked at night with an infrared scope or a video camera.
The section on counter surveillance provides some well-known techniques for tracing radio bugs, phone taps and hardwire taps.
The section on receiver enhancements provides some simple techniques to receive subcarrier or carrier current transmissions on an HF communications receiver.
There is a section mostly dealing with circuits that record unauthorised entries or phone use.

Most circuits are old, but well-proven technology. A few would be dangerous enough in North America with their 110 volt mains, but they are guaranteed lethal in the remainder of the world where 220, 230 or 240 volts is more common, or where 415 volt three-phase systems are in use.

The Parts Source section is only of use to readers in North America

A word of caution here. Most governments have made illegal the construction, possession, distribution (by sale or otherwise), use or use of material obtained from eavesdropping devices except in special circumstances so you are advised to check your local laws if you want to do more than read this book.

On the other hand, successful prosecutions are rare and similar devices are openly advertised for sale. Detection of these devices is difficult. Any competent hobbyist could produce this equipment from readily available components or by disassembly of consumer items.

But before you go into business consider this advice. Whether your clients are cops, spies or gangsters, they are eavesdroppers and conspirators - they are inherently untrustworthy. They don't regard you as an electronic genius - you're just the hired help, some geek who is useful but expendable. Look after number one! The smartest player is often the one who does not join the game.