RADARS AND SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT
AN/GRC-17-2 Ground Surveillance Radar System: The AN/GRC-17-2 is a very advanced, ground-based, surveillance radar system. This unit consists of three pieces: the antenna, the power unit, and the radar receiver-transmitter. The unit is capable of picking up the motion of a ground vehicle at 10 kilometers, an aircraft at 25 kilometers, or a man at four kilometers. It requires the successful passing of a Electronics:ESY task check to set up the unit and a Computer:AVG task to operate it. Wt: total, 32 kg; antenna, 10 kg; power unit, 12 kg; radar unit, 10 kg Cost: $20,000 (R/R)
Audio Recorder: Audio recorders record sound from a designated source (usually they include a small condenser microphone). Any character with Electronics skill can hook one up to a wire-tap or a broadcast monitor. They come in simple and advanced varieties; both types use standard audio cartridge tapes. The simple variety merely records sound. The advanced recorder has better recording quality, including the ability to record a greater sound range (including ultrasonic and subsonic), varied playback speeds, and so on. Wt: Simple, 0.3 kg; advanced, 2 kg ; Price: Simple, $75 (V/V); advanced, $750, (S/S)
Audio Recording Cartridge: A cassette that records sounds from an audio recorder. Available in one-, two-, three- and six-hour versions. Wt: Negligible. Price: $1 per hour of recording time.
Bore-Scope: A fiber-optic light guide, inserted into a room or container and allowing a view of that space's interior. Telescopic or wide-angle lenses can be fitted. The image is then carried via optical cable to the human eye, camera or TV monitor, regardless or twists, coiling or bends. The cable is trimmed to a specific length when purchased and cannot be shortened or lengthened after that time. For technical reasons, the diameter is 5mm, and maximum length 20 meters. Wt: 0.5 kg per meter; Price $3000 per meter (C/S)
Broadcast Monitoring Equipment: This kit, combined with an electronics repair kit, permits characters with Electronics skill to listen in on cellular phones, radios and other broadcast signals, provided that the operating frequency of the broadcast source is known. Wt: 1 kg; Price $400 (C/R)
Bugs: Electronic listening devices come in three stages, with each higher stage representing greater complexity and concealability. Stage I bugs are rather large (roughly 2x3x1 centimeters) and sport a small whisker antenna. They have a broadcast range of 0.5 kilometer, broadcasting continually for 24 hours between recharges. They may be hooked to a building's electrical system (an Easy: Electronics task). Since they broadcast continuously, they are easy to detect: an FM radio tuned to the correct frequency can receive their signal.
Stage II bugs are smaller (one-centimeter cubes with a whisker antenna) and have 36 hours of broadcasting time and a broadcast range of one kilometer. They may be bought as voice-activated, extending their actual charge life (the unit only uses energy when it hears something to broadcast).
Stage III bugs are very small (5mm cubes with whisker antenna), have a range of 200 meters and a broadcasting charge of 12 hours between recharges. They are voice-activated.
Wt: Negligible. Price: Stage I, $150 (V/C); stage II, $450 or $550 for voice activation (C/S): stage III $1100 (S/R)
Bug Detector Kit: This briefcase-sized kit contains several sophisticated electronic devices designed to detect common electronic bugging devices and neutralize them. Once detected, the bugs can be located and destroyed, jammed or masked (a jammer and a white-noise generator are included). Locating bugs without a bug-detector kit is a Difficult: Observation task to find stage I bugs. No other kind of bugs can be found without a bug-detector kit. Locating bugs with a bug-detector kit uses the Electronics skill. Locating Stage I bugs is Easy; locating stage II bugs is Average, and locating stage III bugs is difficult. Wt: 6 kg; Price $2500 (C/R)
Bug Monitor: A special radio with an integral audio recorder. Can be tuned to any bug frequency. Uses standard audio recording cartridge tapes. Wt: 0.6 kg; Price: $750 (C/S)
Camera Briefcase: A briefcase equipped with a concealed cut-out for a camera lens, and an activator button on the handle. It can conceal an advanced still camera, a digital camera, or a video camera. Wt: 2 kg; Price $150 (C/S)
Digital Sound Processor: Digital sound processing (DSP) manipulates sound waveforms as bits of data and allows much greater alteration of audio input than the analog sound processor described above. This item requires DIF: Computers Skill to use properly. Because it is heavily computer based, the DSP has the same processing capability the FSP does but also has the following:
Speech Repair/Extrapolation: This is the synthesization of words missing in the audio input but either identified by computer or deduced by context in the conversation.
Transtation: Once identified, the computer can synthesize the speech as it were spoken in another language.
Voiceprinting: The Computer automatically generates a voiceprint from the spoken sample.
Switching: The computer is able to synthesize the speech as if it were spoken by a different person.
Voice Stress Analysis: The computer can also add or eliminate microtremors which indicate voice stress.
Keyword Scanning: The computer is able to search for specific keyword and phrases in the speech, then flag them for the surveillance expert's attention.
Mixing: The DSP allows the blending of multiple audio sources so as to appear that only one source was used.
Current Tech: In current technology, the DSP is limited to post-processing because of its bulk and power requirements. The DSP presented here is actually a special board for a personal computer. The board allows all DSP functions except speech repair/extrapolation and translation. Functions at this stage require custom software and much more powerful computers. This system is available to all civilians in Western nations. Wt: N/A; Cost: $800 (board), $500-$2000 (software).
HI-Tech: The DSP is shrunk down so that it will fit within a palmtop computer for real-time processing. Speech repair/extrapolation and translation functions become available to laptop and desktop computers, but require custom software. The custom software is only available to government agencies.
Directional Microphone: Also called a "shotgun mike," this device permits the user to electronically ''eavesdrop" on normal conversations at ranges of up to 500 meters. It functions off an internal battery, and requires 30 seconds to set up and tune. Wt: 5 kg; Price: $3000 (C/C).
Directional Tracker: This device is used to track tranceivers, hidden microphones, trail mikes, and radios (if properly tuned). A directional tracker is the size of a small briefcase. Proper reading of the device is AVG: Electronics or DIF: Intelligence, and will give only a general distance to the target (i.e. near, far away, in between, etc.). Powered by internal batteries. Weight: 4.5kg; Price: $1200 (S/S)
Electronic Voice Mask: This device transforms a person's telephone voice into something else, clearly distorted but unrecognizable, even with a voice stress analyzer. Wt. 2 kg; Price: $300 (S/C)
Fiber-Optic Sensors: It is a little-known fact that the pattern of modulation in a fiber-optic cable varies with the pressure placed on the cable. NATO considered using this principle in an array of ground-sensor mechanisms in Europe to pick up advancing tank vibrations. The fiber-optic sensor can also be used as a microphone inside buildings. The fibers must be placed within the targeted building, either inside a wall or attached through adhesives, then illuminated by a tiny diode laser. A photoreceptor on the other end of the fiber picks up the laser light modulated by any sound in the environment, and passes the data on for transmission or storage.
Current Tech: This kit consists of a five-meter spool of optical fibers, a diode laser and transformer so the laser can feed off of house AC current, and a photoreceptor module with a serial output jack. Available to the general public in Western nations in component form. Assembled kits are only available to government personnel. Wt: 1.3 kg.; Cost: $1200 (R/-).
Hidden Microphone: A generic term for a ''bug.". A hidden microphone is ranges in size from tiny devices less than pea size to more normal microphones about the size of a silver dollar. Sound resolution is usually related to size, with smaller devices being less readable. The microphone transmits continuously once activated, for two weeks. The microphone is readable at 1500 meters, though a character with Electronics skill can pick up the signal at 3000 meters (AVG:Electronics) or even 4500 meters (DIF:Electronics), a check being required each phase. Weight: Negligible; Price: $200 (C/C)
Laser Microphone: A device that projects a laser beam onto a windowpane and translates the sounds in the room from the vibration of the pane. An Easy: Electronics task allows the operator to listen in on conversations hundreds of meters away. All that is required is uninterrupted LOS to the target window, and a relatively flat trajectory between window and laser microphone. Wt: 5 kg; Price:$1500 (S/R)
Miniature Camera: These are miniature versions of the advanced or digital still cameras. They can be made to resemble cigarette lighters, breath spray bottles, wristwatches, etc. Wt: Negligible; Price: Advanced, $1000 (C/R); digital, $2000 (R/-)
Motion Detector: An electronic motion detector that uses ultrasonic waves to detect moving objects. Any moving object larger than one centimeter moving in any one dimension will trip the device (speed and size can be adjusted as desired). Motion detectors can be set up to sound an alarm, signal a switchboard or activate another device (like a camera or mine). Motion detectors detect an area up to five meters in radius (the exact radius is set when the detector is set) and can be deployed in numbers to scan large areas. They are not much use in areas where there is a lot of motion, such as areas with wind-blown foliage, etc. Wt: 3 kg; Price $2000 (C/C)
Parabolic Booster: A small dish-shaped booster used to increase the range and acuity of a sound amplifier 30 times. The booster also allows the user to zero in on specific sources and eliminates confusing background noise. Wt 0.2kg; $60 (R/R)
PRD-303/SV Surveillance System: The PRD-303/SV is a small motion sensor with 120 degrees of covered arc. It detects the motion of solid objects between one and two meters off the ground. Several PRD-303/Ss are usually tied into a single PRD-303/V. Effective range of the sensor is about 250 meters in open terrain.
The PRD-303/V can receive signals from up to 10 different PRD-303/Ss, tell which one has been tripped, and inform the operator of the motion. The PRD-303/V can be located up to two kilometers away from the sensors, as long as it has an unobstructed line of sight.
Setting up the PRD-303/V is a Computer: ESY task. Implanting the PRD-303/S is an Electronics: AVG task. Operation of the unit is a Computer: AVG, task. Wt: sensor, 0.75 kg, receiver, 3.3 kg; Cost: sensor $700; receiver $1800; Both (R/R)
Radioactive Trace Dust: This fine dust can be placed on the ground, on tires, on shoes, etc., in order to trace something. It leaves a faint trail on the ground for 200 to 2000 meters. Beyond that, it leaves no trail, but traces will remain on the marked person or object. Radioactive trace dust can only be detected (and followed) with a Geiger counter. Wt: 0.5 kg per dose; Price: $200 per dose (R/S)
Radio Direction Finder: A specialized radio receiver designed to determine the specific direction a particular radio broadcast is coming from. These are useful for a variety of tasks. Getting a directional fix using one of these is a task (Easy: Electronics) and requires one minute (provided that the signal stays on the air that long). The result is a compass bearing, not a distance. Two or three such RDF units, spaced far apart, can get two or more bearings for triangulation of broadcast source. Wt 2 kg; Price. $1500 (C/C).
Revolver Camera: A miniature camera mounted on the side a revolver, the camera "fires" every time the trigger is pulled. In essence, it is a gun camera for revolvers. It can be mounted on the side of rifles and submachineguns, but not semiautomatic pistols. The photographs are for verifying that the target was hit by the weapon. Wt: 1 kg: Price: $250 (R/-)
RF Scanner/Filter: The RF scanner is an incredibly useful device for SIGINT (SIGnals INTelligence) spooks. This device is capable of picking up RF emissions across a wide band and passing them along to other devices for processing. To operate the scanner/filter properly is AVG: Electronics. What can be done with this device is nothing short of amazing.
For example, the device could detect RF emissions of computer monitors, allowing other monitors following signal processing, DIF: Electronics to reproduce what is displayed on the eavesdropped monitor. The same can be done with computer microprocessors. Or cordless and cellular telephones. Or radio transmissions. The scanner/filter can pick up transmissions within the range of the transmit. For low-power emissions, such as monitors and microprocessors, this is limited to 200 meters. For cordless/cellular telephones, this is one kilometer. For all others, range is indefinite and depends on transmitter strength. Also, Such devices can be used as direction-finding gear to locate RF emissions. This is DIF: Electronics.
Current Tech: This device is a small, hand-held unit with an LCD display showing the current frequency and signal strength. An attached speaker/headphone jack can be fed into processing equipment. This device is available to any civilian in Western nations. Wt 2 kg; Cost: $750. (S/R)
Seismometer: Detects movement by detecting tiny tremors. Detects movement within a 25m radius of the detector. Powered by internal batteries. Comes in two versions: one is connected to the receiver by commo wire; the other transmits to the receiver by radio up to 2000m away. The receiver can handle up to 6 seismometers. The detector can be tuned to detect even animal-sized tremors or ignore anything up to large vehicles. Setting the seismometer is ESY: Electronics or Computer; or AVG :Intelligence or Combat Engineer. Wt (receiver) 2kg (detector) 4kg; Price (receiver) $1250 (radio receiver) $3750 (detector) $3750 (radio detector) $11250 (R/R)
Shortstop Electronic Protection System (SEPS): This is an electronic countermeasures system designed to predetonate fused artillery shells, mortar shells, and artillery rockets. When operating, these rounds detonate in the air out of range to do the protected ground troops any harm. The system protects all units within 250 meters and predetonates all HEDP, HE, FAE, AA, and WP rounds 50% of the time before they can do any harm to the protected units. This unit will protect all troops, not just friendly ones, within the radius of effect. This unit requires 30 seconds to set up and activate. Weight: 11.4 kg; Price: $200,000 (-/-)
Sound Amplifier: This device consists of a flashlight-sized sound-gathering microphone and earphones. The device amplifies sound to the point that a whisper could be heard at 100 meters. The amplifier has a dampener to prevent hearing damage from sudden loud noises. It is not always possible to distinguish near noise from far noise. The amplifier works in a 45° arc in the direction it is pointed. Powered by internal batteries. Wt 0.9kg; $80 (R/R)
Special Vision Adapter: This device allows an advanced or digital still camera, or a video camera, to be attached to an IR scope, starlight scope or image intensifier. Wt: Negligible; Price: $25 (C/S)
Still Camera: These cameras record a visual image on film (or in digital memory). There are three Versions:
Simple. A one-shot, self-contained camera-in-a-box. You take the pictures, turn in the camera at a developing center, and receive the developed pictures in an hour.
Advanced. A quality, 35mm, film-using camera with a complete set of lenses and accessories (telephoto lenses, etc.) in a convenient, padded shoulder-bag. The advanced camera's film requires darkroom developing.
Digital. It comes with complete accessories and uses digital memory to store its images. A digital camera memory is read into a computer, and the computer's printing systems are used to print the picture. The advantage of digital cameras is the ease of transfer to data systems where the picture may be electronically enhanced analyzed or altered. Wt: Simple, 0.3 kg; advanced, 3 kg; digital, 2 kg; Price: Simple, $10 (C/C); advanced, $850 (C/C) (film costs $8 for 24 exposures, and developed pictures cost $0.50 per picture); $1200 (R/R)
Telephone Oscillograph: This device is the size of an average hardbound book. It can record the dialing sound of a tapped phone and then identify any number called from that phone. Wt: 6 kg; Price:$1000
Telephone Scrambler: Works just like a radio scrambler, but for telephones. Wt: 0.3 kg; Price:$250 (S/C)
Telephone Tap Analyzer: A cigar-box-sized device that locates and verifies the presence of any taps on any connected line out to 10 miles. It also identifies the location of the tap. A recorder can be wired in and activated to record the tapped conversations. Detecting a tap analyzer while operating a tap is a Difficult: Electronics task. Wt: 1 kg; Price: $500 (R/S)
Telephone Tap Detector: A cigar-sized box device that contains a signal light that lights up whenever an extension phone is lifted, or when a transmitter or telephone bug is placed on the phone line or the telephone itself. The light stays lit until reset by the user. Fooling a tap detector requires that the tapper knows that the detector is there, and then is a Difficult: Electronics task (and the tapper can't know he's successful until he gets a look at the defector or otherwise learns it is or isn't working). Wt: 2 kg: Price: $500 (S/C)
Tracker Bug: This is a miniaturized transponder that allows tracking with a radio-direction finder, which detects the signal put out by the tracker bug. It is about the size of an aspirin tablet and has one-kilometer range (it can't be hooked up to an antenna like a standard transponder) and an internal battery giving it six hours broadcast time (rechargeable by anyone with Electronics skill and an electronics tool kit). It has a self-adhesive coating on one for attachment to a vehicle or whatever is being tracked moving the tracker bug from its plastic carrying case activates it. Wt: Negligible; Price: $1800 (S/-)
Video Cameras: Cameras to capture continuous audio and video data. They use standard video recording cartridges. The two versions are large and small. The large version is about 40x25x5 centimeters and takes steadier pictures due to its larger size and greater stability. The small version is 5x3x3 centimeters (videotapes have gotten much more compact). Wt: Large, 2.5 kg; small, 0.5 kg; Price $750 (C/C), Small $950 (C/R)
Video Recording Cartridges: Six hours of video and audio recording. Wt:0.1 kg: Price:$5 (C/R)
Wire-Tapping Tools: This kit, combined with an electronics repair kit, permits characters with Electronics skill to tap into and monitor electronic communications lines (phone lines, mostly). Wt: 2 kg; Price $300 (C/R)