Bugs and Telephone Taps

Over the years many of the devices shown below have been openly sold to the general
public by a number of firms, with one firm alone boasting of the many "thousands of
satisfied customers" it has served.

The most common Eavesdropping Transmitters (telephone and room type) were originally
designed to be operated in or near the standard FM broadcast band of 88 - 108MHz.
However, in order to lessen the possibility of inadvertent discovery, current eavesdroppers
now use frequencies that are either above or below the standard band.

A number of commercially available transmitters will adjust their transmitting frequency just
off each end of the standard band so that frequencies between 78 - 88MHz and

108 - 118MHz may also be used. On the high end, the transmitters broadcast directly on
many aircraft frequencies. On the low end they may be picked up on standard television
receivers. A large number were made to operate in the 150 - 475MHz area.

And, the latest Eavesdropping Transmitters now utilize the higher frequencies above 3 GHz.
These extremely high frequencies provide considerably less chance of detection during

Counter Surveillance "sweeps" that are performed with outdated low frequency equipment.

To conserve battery power, some 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. The receiver-recorder may be placed in the trunk of an auto
located a considerable distance from the actual site being monitored. In this manner the
Eavesdropper need only return to the auto periodically to replace tapes.

This ingeniously designed device is actually a very
sensitive room transmitter that will easily pick up and
transmit all sounds and conversations in a 20' x 20'
room. Unit is built into a standard wall plug available
at any hardware or department store. The 3 sockets
are working sockets and except for a small pinhole to
expose the microphone, it is virtually impossible to
differentiate from the standard wall plug without
disassembling the device.

Utilizes the same basic circuitry as the previous unit and
has about the same operating characteristics. All 6
sockets are also "live" operational sockets and this unit
also cannot be exposed by external visual examination.
The extra space available in this larger configuration allows
additional stages of amplification and some units deliver a
slightly better range that the 3 socket unit. However, range
is still rather limited, again due to the absence of an
antenna and few units exceed 250' in transmission range
even under ideal conditions.

Similar excellent quality sound pick-up and operating
characteristics as provided by the previous units with one
very important exception. The concealed nature of this unit
makes possible the addition of an antenna approximately 3'
long depending upon operating frequency. Flexible wire
antenna is usually extended between the building studs and
taped or tacked along the inside of the wall.

Exhibits the same basic operating characteristics as the concealed
Wall Outlet Transmitter. However, unit requires no installation and
can be placed in a room or removed as easily as plugging in the
lamp. Antenna usually is concealed in lamp, lamp shade or third
wire in extension cord. Installation has been known to be
accomplished very easily via the "gift" ruse. Unit has usually been
designed to transmit only when light is turned on, but is also
available in a constantly on mode whenever lamp is plugged in
Variations of this device can also be concealed in radios and TVs.
Range can also exceed 1,500'.

Used for following and tracking automobiles without being
observed. Size varies form 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 up to ranges exceeding

5 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 most precise triangulation.

Bumper-beepers prove extremely effective when tracking an

auto through heavy traffic or when the subject is aware of the
possibility of being followed. The unit is attached to the
underside of the vehicle using magnets or a strong two sided

SPECIAL NOTE *** Computer-age technology now makes it possible to track (follow)
automobiles using GPS satellite systems for reception of bumper-beeper and other types of
tracking transmitters allowing for "real time" or stored information. Recently the price of these
devices has been greatly reduced, and these price reductions have now put them in the hands of
thousands of individuals and firms. And, the very latest devices currently in development by
government and private industry now use ultra-long range Bar Code Readers to track
automobiles, various objects and even individuals. This newest technology will, within the next
few years, make "beeper" type transmissions completely obsolete.

This unit, also known as a "WIRE", is most frequently utilized by law
enforcement agencies to obtain virtually irrefutable evidence. Also used by
private individuals and firms, since the use of this unit does not violate most
state and federal statutes pertaining to "surreptitious" interception. The
nature of the configuration of the device, in that the wearer must be a party
to the conversation, precludes the "bugging" aspects. However, when three
or more parties are present with only one party being aware of the presence
of the body transmitter, the surreptitious aspects are again open to question
and interpretation. Price, range and quality of sound pick-up vary greatly
with a large number of manufacturers now producing the unit for government
agencies. Size varies from about 2" x 3" to 3" x 6". Transmitting range
between 300' and 2,000' depending upon terrain and quality of unit and
receiver. A variety of transmitting frequencies are available and utilized.

Manufacturers are widely promoting the use of this device to law enforcement agencies. Recent
publicity given to this unit by newspapers, radio and TV in major prosecutions of so-called "mob"
figures has also created public awareness and a huge demand for variations of the Body Transmitter.

Available from a number of firms due to its many legitimate uses,
this simple little device is popular with the less sophisticated
eavesdropper. It automatically starts a recorder whenever the
telephone is picked up, records both sides of the conversation
and then automatically stops the recorder when the telephone is
hung up. Devices vary in complexity from simple "drop-out"
relays to completely transistorized circuitry and combinations of
both. Approximate size varies from 1" x 1" to 2" x 3". Most units
have 4 wires leaving the unit with 2 wires going to the mike (or
aux) input of the recorder and 2 wires going to the red and green
telephone wires. Connects in parallel across the wires and no
disconnecting of the phone line is necessary. Also available with
a modular plug for direct connection into the phone jack

Transmits both sides of any telephone conversation to a receiver
within 100' to 500' depending on the terrain and quality of receiver.
They are "parasitic" type devices in that they actually take power
from the phone line and no type of battery or electric power is
required. The unit is only active when the telephone is in use and
usually loads the line very little when not in use, thus considerable
lessening the possibility of inadvertent detection by the phone
company. Approximate size 1" x 1" with 2 wires leaving the unit and
one additional wire if an antenna is used. Connected in "series"
anywhere along the telephone line. Red or green wire must be
disconnected at some point and the device is connected across the
open wires. May also be installed in the telephone itself, but this
usually considerably limits the range.

Transmits both sides of any telephone conversation to a
receiver within 200' to 1,000' depending on terrain and
quality of receiver. Requires external battery power and in
rare cases may be wired directly into an AC source. Unit
remains constantly on and consequently is some- what
easier to detect. If battery powered, unit requires regular
replacement of batteries. Occasionally provided with
alligator clips for ease of connection. Approximate size is
1" x 2" and usually has batteries directly attached to unit. It
is connected directly across the red and green wires and
does not require the disconnection of any phone wires. May
also have an antenna lead.

This rather ingenious little device has been manufactured and sold
nationally in kit form (by dealers obviously completely ignorant of the
strict federal laws which bar not only the sale, but also the mere
possession of audio eavesdropping "components"). It has also been
offered completely assembled. Range is surprisingly good since some
units are internally wired to utilize a third telephone wire as an antenna.
Range can exceed 1,000' with a good receiver. Unit is simply inserted
in existing telephone jack and rarely is the extra jack (splitter) noticed.

While most individuals are somewhat guarded in their telephone conversations, they still
rather naively feel secure in the "privacy" of their own home or office. And, that definitely
makes this "bug" the one to fear most! Not only because of its capability, but due to the
large number now in the hands of government agencies, professional industrial spies,
unscrupulous business competitors and private individuals.

Also, referred to in various configurations as "Hookswitch" bypass, "Third Wire" tap,
"Harmonica Bug", etc. They all have basically the very same function . . . to intercept all
conversations in the vicinity of the telephone instrument or wherever the unit is installed.

The "INFINITY" Transmitter transforms any telephone into a sensitive "Bug" that will actually
pick up all sounds and conversations within a 400 square foot area . . .

with the TELEPHONE REMAINING "ON THE HOOK"!

The Eavesdropper simply calls the telephone number of the
victim and remotely activates the device before the telephone
rings. Constantly updated over the past 30 years, this device
most often requires introduction of a particular frequency tone,
combination of tones, or external voltage (requiring no ring)
introduced into the telephone line to trigger the unit.

The unit can be hidden directly inside the telephone or
anywhere along the line on the premises. Size varies
from 1" x 2" to 2" x 3" with either 2 or 4 wires leaving the
unit depending upon function. It may use the actual
telephone microphone to pick up the sounds or an
external mike of greater sensitivity. It has been disguised
in any number of ways and its use is only limited by the
ingenuity of the Eavesdropper. Because of its devastating
capability, this device has definitely become the "BUG OF
CHOICE".

The latest development in this devastating Listening Device doesn't require an initial telephone
ring, but older devices frequently fail to trigger the unit before the first ring and when the phone
inadvertently rings, the Eavesdropper usually feigns a "wrong number". After the victim hangs
up, the 'INFINITY" Transmitter is then automatically activated. There is absolutely no range
restriction and all room sounds and conversations can be monitored and/or recorded from
literally ANY DIRECT DIALING TELEPHONE IN THE WORLD.