Bulletin Board #29

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Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 17:50:37 -0700
To: Recipient List Suppressed:;
From: Tim Johnson
Subject: BULLETIN BOARD # 29

Well, I'm Baaackkkk.

Hong Kong was even better this trip than the last time, but quite a bit hotter and muggier. It rained almost continuously for the last week, starting the last day of British control and the rest of the week after reunification of Hong Kong with the Peoples Republic of China. It was exciting, but to be honest, I fell asleep about 10:30 at night and missed all of it. The travel and time change got to me.



#1

Got a couple of questions that came up and any responses will be posted anonymously.
  1. Can you please let me know your views on dealing with associates who have their own equipment and work under your company's umbrella.
  2. How would you split the income/expenses between you and an associate.




#2

From: Trace Carpenter
Subject: Ears

Q: What's the difference between a Metallica concert and a Tyson - Holyfield match?

A: After the Metallica concert, there's a ring in the ears, after the bout, there are ears in the ring.

Trace Carpenter Investigations
2926 Maple Ave., Ste. 200
Friends help you move;
Dallas, Texas 75201
Real friends help you move bodies.

214.828.4520



#3

From: "James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng"
Subject: TSCM Intelligence Update - Spread Spectrum Surveillance Modules

New Spread Spectrum Surveillance Modules

There are some new spread spectrum products coming into the US by way of China, and are starting to show up in Spy Shops on the West coast, Chicago, and Miami area.

Two sided, four layer, surface mount PCB, several RF and audio IC's, several pots, coils, etc. Device is a raw module, designed for covert installations in an office or SOHO environment.

SM connector for antenna, micro molex connector for power and computer/serial interface.

PCB is 1.5 mm wide, 3.25 mm long, and .5mm thick.

Products are all based on a cordless telephone chip set, 780 Mhz to 980 Mhz, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (BPSK/QPSK?).

Analysis of RF section indicates good response from 610 Mhz to 1090 Mhz.

Serial data rates between 56 kb/s and 784 kb/s (12 full audio channels capable).

Devices have a two way RS422 serial port to facilitate setup prior to field usage.

Programmed RF power levels range is spec'd between 50mw and 250mw, suspect the circuits will operate as low as 5mw. Evaluation of the RF amp indicates that RF section should support a full watt of power with no problem.

Recommended voltage is 3/6vdc, but circuit should work fine on 9 or 12vdc.

Connections for two or three wire transducers. Audio path is thru pre-amp, compander, CODEC, and controller. Looks like it can support two elements, each with its own tunable preselector.

Large amount of 60 hz filtering, suspect they were originally designed for installation into power strips (APC, Best, Woods, etc).

Look for the low level multihump signature on the spectrum analyser, and take a REAL hard look at all surge protectors.

Be sure to "box" all electrical artifacts encountered on a TSCM sweep.

Well engineered, suspect cost to manuf. is under $35, should be popular, most of the spy shops are selling these for $1500 to $3000.

More details to follow after the holiday, should have an update by that time regarding the VLF devices being built by Thompson, and E-Systems.
- jma

James M. Atkinson
Phone: (508) 546-3803
Granite Island Group - TSCM.COM
127 Eastern Avenue #291
http://www.tscm.com/
Gloucester, MA 01931-8008
jmatk@tscm.com



#4

From: "James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng"
Subject: Re: RF Transmitter

At 11:22 PM -0500 6/23/97, Tim Johnson wrote:
Thanks for responding to his inquiry, Jim.

If you are able to develop anything further, pass it on to the rest of us.

tj

I went thru my files this morning and located three companies who make the exact unit you describe.

They are all low end products commonly sold "over the counter" or via mail order in the U.S. and Canada.

I suspect the unit is a DECO, but I would have to examine the circuit or radiograph to confirm.

Listening post/intercept point would probably be found only a few hundred feet away (look for a scanner).

398.600 MHz - DECO Industries (Very Cheap, Narrow FM Deviations)
398.605 MHz - DECO Industries (Very Cheap, Narrow FM Deviations)
399.450 MHz - DECO Industries (Very Cheap, Narrow FM Deviations)
399.455 MHz - DECO Industries (Very Cheap, Narrow FM Deviations)
399.025 MHz - DECO Industries (Very Cheap, Narrow FM Deviations)
399.030 MHz - DECO Industries (Very Cheap, Narrow FM Deviations)
406.000 MHz - DECO Industries (Wide FM Deviations)

395 - 410 MHz PK Electronics (Decent Quality, Wide FM Deviations)
365 - 455 MHz Lorraine/Ruby Electronics (Decent Quality, Wide FM Deviations)

tsk... tsk... tsk...
The eavesdropper should have used a good spread spectrum, VLF device.

"For those who risk, life has a flavor the protected shall never enjoy."


James M. Atkinson
Phone: (508) 546-3803
Granite Island Group - TSCM.COM
127 Eastern Avenue #291
http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008
jmatk@tscm.com



#5

I don't remember if I postred this or not, but it can't hurt to do it again. I passed on a couple of things, and thought you folks might pass on anything you might have that would be of help to him.

tj

From: "Sgt. Bill Thompson"
Organization: Georgia Tech Police Department

Subject: TEMPEST

Hi, was looking over your site last night as a result of an Alta-Vista search on Van Eck. Would you please be so kind as to forward the 4 page article you refer to on TEMPEST. I am doing research for a class I will be teaching. Any Van Eck and/or TEMPEST materials you have would be welcomed. Thanks for your efforts.

Sgt. Bill Thompson

GA. Tech Police Dept.



#6

From: Johnson M SSgt

A depressed young woman was so desperate that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the ocean. When she went down to the docks, a handsome young sailor noticed her tears, took pity on her, and said, "Look, you've got a lot to live for. I'm off to Europe in the morning, and if you like, I can stow you away on my ship. I'll take good care of you and bring you food every day."

Moving closer, he slipped his arm around her shoulder and added, "I'll keep you happy, and you'll keep me happy."

The girl nodded 'yes.' After all, what did she have to lose? That night, the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a life-boat. From then on, every night he brought her three sandwiches and a piece of fruit, and they made passionate love until dawn.

Three weeks later, during a routine search, she was discovered by the captain.

"What are you doing here?" the Captain asked. "I have an arrangement with one of the sailors," she explained. "He's taking me to Europe, and he's s******* me."

"He sure is, lady," said the Captain. "This is the Staten Island Ferry."



One company received a call on the product support line from a lady saying that her washer was broken and that she needed it either fixed or replaced.
The support person asked what happened, and the lady began her story:
"Well, I was going to get a pair of stone-washed jeans, but they were too expensive. So I got a normal pair of jeans and put them in the washer with some rocks..."


Yet Another Darwin Award Nominee

( History : This award is given posthumously to people who are inadvertantly helping in weeding out the "stupid" genetic pool from society. )

There are many transmission lines that crisscross Connecticut. These are held up by Transmission Towers of various constructions. Those most commonly installed near urban areas are called "metal Ornamental Towers" (supposedly prettier than wood towers). Sometimes adventurous folks climb the towers in order to enjoy the view and the night air. Most stay away from the wires, and when they get bored, come back down.

Apparently, a man who was forlorn after a recent spat with his girl-friend needed some fresh air to clear his head and decided to climb a tower. He stopped for a 6 pack to help clear his thoughts, went to a tower south of Hartford, next to I-91, and climbed it.

Public Service employees later pieced the story together. The man sat there 60 feet above the highway, drank his beer and consoled his bruised ego. After 5 beers, he needed to do what people often need to do after 5 beers. It being such a long hike down, he unzipped and did his business right there off the tower.

Electricity is a funny thing. One doesn't need to touch a wire in order to get shocked. Depending on conditions, 115,000 volt lines,like those supported by the tower, could shock a person as far away as 6 feet.

When the man "whizzed" near the conductor (wire), the power arced up his "stream" (urine is an excellent conductor of electricity), traveled up to his private parts, and blew him off the tower.

The guys at the power company noted a momentary outage on this line and sent repairmen to see if there was any damage. When they got to the scene of the accident, they found a very dead person, his fly down, what was left of his private parts smoking, and a single beer left on top.

A few words of wisdom

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things I cannot accept,
and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people
I had to kill today because they ticked me off.

Also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today,
as they may be connected to the person that
I may have to kiss somewhere tomorrow.



# 7

For those of you who haven't been to Hong Kong lately, "bugs" are everywhere. Every electronics and camera shop has a good selection ranging in price from $20.00 and up. They are simple RF devices, for the most part, both free space and telephone type.

And last of all, I'll be getting info out sometime this week to those of you who have shown a desire to attend the seminar in Boston; specifically, the address and floor number/conference room location.

Take care,

tj

Tim Johnson dbugman@amug.org
Technical Security Consultants Inc
http://www.amug.org/~dbugman/
What you say in private is your business.
Keeping it private is ours. ŠTSCI 1987