Operational Security, Counter Surveillance, and Ancillary Electronic Gear

CSD-18 and Night Vision Binoculars

Top view showing CSD-18, CSD-3, and Night Vision Binos

Ancillary Electronic Gear

This article can be considered an addendum to the TA-50 layout I did a little while ago. I totally excluded these tools that I always include in any field op load-out from the article, I don't know why, and can offer only conjecture.

This is the electronic equipment that I have found useful in my work and travel. With this equipment set, one can be reasonably be assured of any surveillance activity in any analog communication technologies, and the physical area of a home, office, even outdoor areas.

The first counter surveillance device that I will discuss is the DSC-18, this unit is a wide-band unit that has multiple modes of operation. It has an Ultra-high Gain Detector/Amplifier stage allows for the detection of any low-power transmitting bug at ranges up to 25 feet. With a frequency range of 500 hz. to 3 Ghz., the unit can detect most common listening devices in use today. The other functions and modes of operation include; Line Tap Detection, LED indication of bug or tap type, Silent operation for covert sweeps, allows the client to introduce false information to the listener, and an Infinity Transmitter detection mode.

The second device that is presented here is the CSD-3 Covert Body-wire Detector, this little gem is completely silent in operation (Alerts with vibration) and can detect a body wire from about 10 feet away. The method of operation is; turn on unit, slip unit into inside pocket of sport-coat and snake antenna wire down right sleeve. Adjust the sensitivity of unit before entering the meeting, shake hands with all those present and if possible walk the perimeter of the room where the meeting is held. Outside meets are more problematic and I will address those issues further on in this article.

The final device in my counter surveillance arsenal is a pair of 1st generation night-vision binoculars (Russian). These are very useful tools for counter surveillance, not only to locate a surveillance team using night vision goggles or NVGs (the lenses glow bright green to anyone also using night vision) but infrared (IR) lasers also show up in the image intensifiers and there are IR laser bounce mikes in use by professional surveillance teams today. Scan the windows of the rooms where surveillance is suspected and any bright dot not visible to the naked eye is probably an IR laser

I will not identify the company that manufactures these counter surveillance devices that I use, not because I am stingy with information, because my last contact with this outfit was less than praise worthy. They have a new unit out and they are no longer supporting the CSD-18 and that is not a good business practice in my estimation.

Now a word or two about running a surveillance detection routine (SDR), this is as you go about your daily life. If you are truly concerned about Big Brother or anyone else keeping tabs on you then these are some habits that will make it very hard for the opposition to do that. First, know you area of operation (AO), have many routes for common destinations, never use the same route twice in a day, better yet in a week if possible, if you live in a city get to know your local businesses and find the ones that have easy access to the rear of their shops and even then, know the alleyways as well as you know the streets. If you suspect you are being followed and you are driving start an SDR by turning off of you route and commence to make a few random turns if the suspected vehicle stays with you head to the local cop shop. If they are no-good-nicks they will split, same is true if they are a law enforcement surveillance team (it's embarrassing for them to be "blown"). When you are walking in an urban environment your head should be on a swivel, notice the people around you, notice the vehicles and traffic patterns, does anything feel "Hinky"? If so enter a random store front and browse the racks near the front and watch the street, you will have to assess the value of returning to the street or cut out the back and alley hop away. If one has to meet in the open, then some additional precautions should be taken besides the body-wire detector, always stay on the move (Boom or Shotgun mikes are very advanced but work best when the targets are stationary) and hind your mouth when speaking (A good surveillance team will have someone who has the ability to read lips). OK that is all I will say on the subject of SDR.

The other electronic gear is rather pedestrian stuff but you can get a pretty good idea of it from the photos, the computer is a Compaq EVO N410C, Blackberry, Magellan Meridian GPS, Craig digital voice recorder and mp3 player, Audiovox FSR walkie-talkies.

I hope you all found this article informative.

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