From: Miguel Puchol Date: Sat Jan 27, 2001 2:46pm Subject: RE: Fire authorities in California.... We had a case here in Spain, to which I was testimony. I think though that it's more possible that something like this happen with a seaplane, than with a helicopter. Choppers pick up about 1.000 liters of water, with a standard scoop, and usually sound a horn when near the surface to warn possible bystanders. In this case, the diver should have been in shallow water, a bit deaf, and not very agile, as he could have grabbed onto the basket to avoid getting dropped onto the fire... Cheers, Mike > -----Mensaje original----- > De: Chris Childs [mailto:childschris@h...] > Enviado el: sabado, 27 de enero de 2001 19:26 > Para: TSCM-L@yahoogroups.com > Asunto: Re: [TSCM-L] Fire authorities in California.... > > > This sounds like an urban legend to me. First off, I couldn't > find a paper > called the "California Examiner". Second I found this web site: > > http://www.urbanlegends.com/death/scuba_forest_fire.html > > James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng" wrote, > > > > > > >Fire authorities in California found a corpse in a burned out section of > >forest while assessing the damage done by a forest fire..The > deceased male > >was dressed in a full wet suit, complete with SCUBA tanks on his back, > >flippers, and face mask. A post-mortem revealed that the person died not > >from burns, but from massive internal injuries. Dental records > provided a > >positive identification. Investigators then set about to determine how a > >fully clad diver ended up in the middle of a forest fire.. > >It was revealed that, on the day of the fire, the person went > for a diving > >trip off the coast some 20 miles away from the forest. The firefighters, > >seeking to control the fire as quickly as possible, called in a fleet of > >helicopters with very large dip buckets. > >Water was dipped from the ocean then flown to the forest fire and > >emptied..You guessed it. One minute our diver was making like Flipper in > >the Pacific, the next he was doing the breast stroke in a fire dip bucket > >300 feet in the air. Apparently he extinguished exactly 5'-10" of the > >fire. > >Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed! > > > >This article was taken from the California Examiner, March 20, 1998 > >-- > > > > > ======================================================================= > > Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? > > "In a time of universal deceit, telling the > > truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell > > > ======================================================================= > > James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 > > Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 > > 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ > > Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... > > > ======================================================================= > > The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, > > Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. > > > ======================================================================= > > > > _________________________________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > > > > > ======================================================== > TSCM-L Technical Security Mailing List > "In a multitude of counselors there is strength" > > To subscribe to the TSCM-L mailing list visit: > http://www.onelist.com/community/TSCM-L > > or email your subscription request to: > subTSCM-L@t... > =================================================== TSKS > > 2403 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 5:06am Subject: Nurses' spy camera fears Nurses' spy camera fears http://www.thisisbrighton.co.uk/brighton__hove/news/NEWS0.html by David Wells A nurse is demanding to know whether she was filmed naked by a camera found hidden in a shampoo bottle in a shared bathroom. She and her colleagues have not been told if images of them undressing for a bath were recorded by the camera, discovered in nurses' lodgings at Brighton General Hospital. Their greatest fear is that intimate pictures could be passed on to others or even put on the internet. A doctor employed by another hospital, who was staying in Brighton while attending a conference, is under police investigation after a device was found hidden in a large bottle of Head and Shoulders in a bathroom shared by up to 22 male and female nurses. Accident and emergency nurse Joe Cidoni, 40, discovered the device when he tried to use some of the shampoo and heard the bottle give a clicking noise. He spotted a pinhole in a side of the bottle and inside found a wireless miniature camera. Police searched the block, owned by Brighton Health Care NHS Trust, and found videotapes and technical equipment in a nearby room. One of Mr Cidoni's colleagues, who also lives in the hospital block in Elm Grove, Brighton, yesterday complained neither Brighton Healthcare NHS Trust nor the police had told them what was captured on the film. The 23-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said she was sickened by the thought someone could have spied on her as she undressed. She and many other nurses of both sexes in the housing block were demanding to know what was on the film and who had access to it. She said: "There has been no communication from the trust or the police. No one has come back to us to tell us what is going on or what has been filmed, if anything. "We got letters pushed through our doors the day after from occupational health offering us counselling but we just wanted to know what was going on. Everyone is feeling unnerved and paranoid. We all talking about what the camera might have filmed and what happened after that. "Was there any access to the internet? Could it have been sent round the world? "You just worry that you are going to appear in some porn film or something like that. You just keep thinking 'Was the bottle in there when I was in there?' "We all recall seeing a Head and Shoulders bottle, but maybe that is just because once the idea is in your head you convince yourself you have seen it. "Everybody is still checking the bathrooms for bottles. If anybody leaves anything in there now like shampoo it just gets thrown away." A spokesman for the trust said: "The thought that people have been into the bathroom and filmed whilst naked, something quite understandably private, is very upsetting for them. "This is particularly upsetting if you come from a different culture - there are all kinds of religious issues. "Some are young and perhaps away from home for the first time. It is offensive to them. "We are offering access to counselling. They have all been sent an individual letter." He said security at the hospital was repeatedly reviewed but no amount of security would be able to prevent someone taking their own camera into the block. No officers dealing with the investigation were available for comment but Detective Sergeant Baz Bazyluk, at Brighton police, said: "We always try to keep victims up to date as a matter of policy. Of course we will inform them of any developments in due course." Sussex Police have launched an investigation into the incident. -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2404 From: Robert G. Ferrell Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 7:36am Subject: RE: DARWIN AWARDS >Is there a web site for the Darwin Awards? >http://www.nipc.gov/ Heh. You might also take a look at http://www.darwinawards.com and http://www.officialdarwinawards.com Cheers, RGF Robert G. Ferrell, CISSP Information Systems Security Officer National Business Center U. S. Dept. of the Interior Robert_G_Ferrell@n... ======================================== Who goeth without humor goeth unarmed. ======================================== 2405 From: Thomas H. Jones Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 9:33am Subject: NLJD and EOD > Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 09:29:52 -0500 > From: Rob Muessel >Subject: Re: Digest Number 492 - NLJD Issues >In closing, regardless of which NJD might be used for EOD applications, >there is no way I'd want to be the guy who is holding onto the antenna. >att least not without my earplugs. I greatly appreciate your comments and agree. About two years ago, Dean La Vey from the UK wrote an article in the magazine INTERSEC about using NLJD's for EOD. He basically said this is not a good idea, and this is the only published article I have ever seen on the subject. Having no experience in EOD, we tend to have the same opinion regarding EOD. Whereas most NLJD manufacturers advertise their NLJD for EOD, you will never find any advertising material from REI suggesting that the ORION be used for EOD. We, of course believe that our unit is the best in the world, but I don't have access to all types of landmines and if I did, we still would not be conducting the tests. I don't know how other small manufacturers can make these claims in advertising without documented tests results. My product liability insurance is already expensive enough. Have you ever tried to explain to an insurance company what an NLJD is? Nontheless, I do know that some countries use NLJD technology just for EOD, and they have been doing it for years with success. NLJD's are also used for inspecing parcels and as a quick means of deciding whether or not to X-ray. My only hope is that the countries that use NLJD's for EOD will conduct extensive testing prior to using the device, and that they will thoroughly understand all the technical aspects and risks. My experience and fear is that they will not. Regards, Tom 2406 From: Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 10:47am Subject: Re: Digest Number 493 Manufacturers involved in Government NLJD trials are bound by a Confidentiality Clause, I suppose those who fail to pre-qualify have nothing to lose by spreading false rumours. Unwarranted criticism of competitors equipment, by any manufacturer, does little to convince potential users that your kit is any good! I can confirm that the only explosion caused by Superbroom was a massive surge in Audiotel's order book. All NLJDs, particularly pulsed systems, will potentially activate certain types of target, as will mobile phones, transceivers etc. Adrian Hickey Audiotel International Ltd 2407 From: Bill Hensley Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 1:18pm Subject: RE: Fire authorities in California.... This is a hoary urban legend. See the URL below for discussion. http://www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/scuba.htm Cheers, Bill Bill.Hensley@t... 405.869.6170 (vox) 405.737.2043 (fax) ----------------------------------------------- >Fire authorities in California found a corpse in a burned out section of >forest while assessing the damage done by a forest fire..The deceased male >was dressed in a full wet suit, complete with SCUBA tanks on his back, [...rest removed} 2408 From: Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 4:57pm Subject: Icom IC-R3 The February, 2001 edition of QST magazine has a review of the Icom IC-R3 hand held receiver. It sounds like a decent piece of amateur radio equipment. My question to the groups is, has anyone tried to use the IC-R3 to view any 2.4 GHz video? Additionally, I am curious to see if anyone has any intel on the future of the IC-R3 (ie, upgrades). Very truly yours, R.C.Hofmann, CCO, CPP MICROSEARCH, LLC - Electronic Surveillance Detection - Counterespionage Post Office Box 2084 - Cypress, California 90630 714-952-3812 Fax: 714-209-0037 PI16998 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] 2409 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 5:23pm Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 At 2:57 PM -0800 1/29/01, Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH wrote: >The February, 2001 edition of QST magazine has a review of the Icom IC-R3 >hand held receiver. It sounds like a decent piece of amateur radio >equipment. My question to the groups is, has anyone tried to use the IC-R3 >to view any 2.4 GHz video? Additionally, I am curious to see if anyone has >any intel on the future of the IC-R3 (ie, upgrades). > >Very truly yours, > >R.C.Hofmann, CCO, CPP >MICROSEARCH, LLC - Electronic Surveillance Detection - Counterespionage >Post Office Box 2084 - Cypress, California 90630 714-952-3812 Fax: >714-209-0037 >PI16998 Rick, I personally own and use several R-3's but would suggest that you use a VBA-2400 as the sensitivity is fairly bad above 1.1 GHz on the R-3 (too much conversion loss, and not enough preamp). Using the VBA I can reliable lock onto a 30-50 mW Wavecom transmitter concealed inside a building (assuming of course that your within about 10 MHz of the channel). I also like the fact the you can invert the video signal and move the subcarriers around depending on your needs. The R-3 also does a great job of 433 and 900 MHz covert video as well. I like the fact that it presents the modulated audio and video to a connector for external display/recording. -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2410 From: Gordon Mitchell Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 5:39pm Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 Don't count on too much from the R3. You can use it across the room from a Wavecom -- really poor sensitivity. Also, it only covers half of the 2.4 TV band. In case you thought you could beat this by hooking it to your spectrum analyzer IF output... they have disabled the FM TV function at that frequency. It is really not worth buying. Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH wrote: > > The February, 2001 edition of QST magazine has a review of the Icom IC-R3 > hand held receiver. It sounds like a decent piece of amateur radio > equipment. My question to the groups is, has anyone tried to use the IC-R3 > to view any 2.4 GHz video? Additionally, I am curious to see if anyone has > any intel on the future of the IC-R3 (ie, upgrades). > > Very truly yours, > > R.C.Hofmann, CCO, CPP > MICROSEARCH, LLC - Electronic Surveillance Detection - Counterespionage > Post Office Box 2084 - Cypress, California 90630 714-952-3812 Fax: > 714-209-0037 > PI16998 > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > ======================================================== > TSCM-L Technical Security Mailing List > "In a multitude of counselors there is strength" > > To subscribe to the TSCM-L mailing list visit: > http://www.onelist.com/community/TSCM-L > > or email your subscription request to: > subTSCM-L@t... > =================================================== TSKS [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] 2411 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 6:07pm Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 I still prefer hunting for and viewing 2.4 GHz signals with a spectrum analyzer (and a SPECTRE), but you can conceal the R-3 in your briefcase, and spin the dial though the high threat bands for a quick check before you bring out the heavy iron (ie: a 50+ pound spectrum analyzer with all the trimmings). The R3 is for a "quick and dirty" check... nothing more... nothing less... I have also found the R3 to have really bad sensitivity unless you use an amplified and highly directional antenna. -jma At 3:39 PM -0800 1/29/01, Gordon Mitchell wrote: >Don't count on too much from the R3. You can use it across the room >from a Wavecom -- really poor sensitivity. Also, it only covers >half of the 2.4 TV band. In case you thought you could beat this by >hooking it to your spectrum analyzer IF output... they have disabled >the FM TV function at that frequency. > >It is really not worth buying. > >Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH wrote: >> >> The February, 2001 edition of QST magazine has a review of the Icom IC-R3 >> hand held receiver. It sounds like a decent piece of amateur radio >> equipment. My question to the groups is, has anyone tried to use the IC-R3 >> to view any 2.4 GHz video? Additionally, I am curious to see if anyone has >> any intel on the future of the IC-R3 (ie, upgrades). >> >> Very truly yours, >> >> R.C.Hofmann, CCO, CPP >> MICROSEARCH, LLC - Electronic Surveillance Detection - Counterespionage >> Post Office Box 2084 - Cypress, California 90630 714-952-3812 Fax: >> 714-209-0037 > > PI16998 -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2412 From: Steve Uhrig Date: Mon Jan 29, 2001 9:05pm Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 Once upon a midnight dreary, Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH pondered, weak and weary: > My question to the groups is, has anyone tried to use the > IC-R3 to view any 2.4 GHz video? Additionally, I am curious > to see if anyone has any intel on the future of the IC-R3 (ie, > upgrades). Having sold several thousand ICOM receivers in almost 17 years of being a (former) ICOM dealer, I will mention it generally is not a good idea to get a low serial number anything from ICOM. Every single receiver they have introduced, without exception, has been significantly redesigned after the first 5000 or so guinea pig buyers beta tested the things for them. And ICOM has a well known history of not making good on design defects. The R7100 is a good example. It has so many problems they just dropped it from the line. It would be best to wait 9-12 months after any new ICOM anything hits the street before buying. The best time to buy is in March. ICOM's fiscal year ends the end of March and their most aggressive sales and dealer promotions are during the latter part of Feb and all of March. Come April 1st, that's it, all deals expire. I had an early production R3 here. It stunk. The front end overloaded easily from adjacent channel signals a substantial distance away. Much of the UHF land mobile band was corrupted by the fifteen or so 460 county repeaters six miles airline from my place. In Baltimore City in the truck, whenever a VHF paging system keyed up the receiver would lose sensitivity. I don't know where the paging system was since I didn't have a spectrum analyzer, but I expect in the low 150s, and I was trying to listen to some amateur channels in 146-147. Even watching AM broadcast video on VHF when I was almost literally in sight of the antenna in Baltimore City would show an intermittent herringbone when some other unknown signal keyed up. I was probably putting many millivolts of proper freq RF down the throat of the R3 and the AGC should have been pumped way up. Something still was killing it. You sacrifice a lot of performance for the small package. Sensitivity is cheap, and that is the only spec most people (not you Rick of course) know how to compare. Selectivity is much more important and few know how to interpret those specs. Selectivity means filters, and filters means real estate on the circuit board. There just plain isn't room for decent filtering in these tiny receivers, so they suffer severely from adjacent channel interference. I live in a remote country area and I could tell the performance was miserable. Some people confuse an overloaded receiver and adjacent channel interference pumping up the AGC with poor receiver sensitivity or a weak signal and insist on hanging larger antennas on the poor thing. This only crams more signal down the throat of the receiver and makes the problem worse. More people would be served better by attenuators than preamps. ICOM's R10, another handheld receiver with wide freq coverage, had practically nonexistent HF performance. ICOM's service bulletin advised users to connect an external HF antenna to the thing if they wanted to listen to low frequencies. Anyone able to do that would not choose a shirt pocket receiver to listen to HF, of course. A toy AM broadcast radio worked better at AM broadcast than the expensive R10. That doesn't answer the question. The R3 is a poor performer at 2.4. Antennas are a big factor up here. A 1/4 wave unity stick antenna, or some multiband wide coverage coil loaded abortion like the stock factory rubber antenna, is not effective at 2.4. Remember up here gain antennas are used to get any realistic performance, and gain antennas must by nature be directional. If you are not in the path, you will not hear well with anything. Even Wavecoms and that inexpensive class of mass produced systems have a typically 2-3 dB patch antenna. Some systems are circularly polarized which is another complicated issue. There is significant loss going from circular polarized to linear polarized. All the 2.4 systems we manufacture use circular polarized antennas, more to let me isolate separate systems by mixing right hand and left hand than for any other reason. Linear receives neither well. I do not know offhand the loss. Gordon certainly would. If you wanted to sniff 2.4, an effective cheap way is with the repackaged Wavecom using a 6dB patch antenna mounted on a pingpong paddle as I have written up and demonstrated. The good sensitivity (cheap) coupled with the poor selectivity of the Wavecom receivers (expensive) means that on one of the four channels you will see anything within the band and quite a distance outside either edge. Rich Wells has an excellent website reviewing many types of receivers. I believe he is at www.strongsignals.net. He is honest and competent. The R3 also eats batteries by the way. Impractical to use it on batteries with the video active. You will carry a lot of spare batteries and become intimate with either your charger or your battery salesman. Long answer to a short question. Steve ******************************************************************* Steve Uhrig, SWS Security, Maryland (USA) Mfrs of electronic surveillance equip mailto:Steve@s... website http://www.swssec.com tel +1+410-879-4035, fax +1+410-836-1190 "In God we trust, all others we monitor" ******************************************************************* 2413 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 7:26am Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 At 10:05 PM -0500 1/29/01, Steve Uhrig wrote: >Once upon a midnight dreary, Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH pondered, >weak and weary: > >> My question to the groups is, has anyone tried to use the >> IC-R3 to view any 2.4 GHz video? Additionally, I am curious >> to see if anyone has any intel on the future of the IC-R3 (ie, >> upgrades). > >Having sold several thousand ICOM receivers in almost 17 years >of being a (former) ICOM dealer, I will mention it generally is >not a good idea to get a low serial number anything from ICOM. >Every single receiver they have introduced, without exception, >has been significantly redesigned after the first 5000 or so >guinea pig buyers beta tested the things for them. And ICOM has >a well known history of not making good on design defects. The >R7100 is a good example. It has so many problems they just >dropped it from the line. Same problem with the R-9000, even after 10 years in production it is STILL screwed up. Since Icom sells only a limited number of them they simply will not fix several design issues. >It would be best to wait 9-12 months after any new ICOM anything >hits the street before buying. Ah, but that is good advice for just about any piece of equipment. But with TSCM we have to stay on the bleeding edge of technology and (IMHO) grab any tool or pieces of equipment that will assist in achieving our goal of finding bugs and wiretaps. >The best time to buy is in March. ICOM's fiscal year ends the >end of March and their most aggressive sales and dealer >promotions are during the latter part of Feb and all of March. >Come April 1st, that's it, all deals expire. > >I had an early production R3 here. It stunk. The front end >overloaded easily from adjacent channel signals a substantial >distance away. Much of the UHF land mobile band was corrupted by >the fifteen or so 460 county repeaters six miles airline from my >place. In Baltimore City in the truck, whenever a VHF paging >system keyed up the receiver would lose sensitivity. I don't >know where the paging system was since I didn't have a spectrum >analyzer, but I expect in the low 150s, and I was trying to >listen to some amateur channels in 146-147. The current production units are just as bad. I have several R-3's including one of the very first ones, and several fairly recent ones and all of them have poor selectivity. >Even watching AM broadcast video on VHF when I was almost >literally in sight of the antenna in Baltimore City would show >an intermittent herringbone when some other unknown signal keyed >up. I was probably putting many millivolts of proper freq RF >down the throat of the R3 and the AGC should have been pumped >way up. Something still was killing it. > >You sacrifice a lot of performance for the small package. >Sensitivity is cheap, and that is the only spec most people (not >you Rick of course) know how to compare. Selectivity is much >more important and few know how to interpret those specs. > >Selectivity means filters, and filters means real estate on the >circuit board. There just plain isn't room for decent filtering >in these tiny receivers, so they suffer severely from adjacent >channel interference. I live in a remote country area and I >could tell the performance was miserable. The R-3 uses a large number of really small surface mount filters each of which just barely larger then a grain of wheat which hardly does the job. IMHO, selectivity is of primary concern to an eavesdropping concern, and unsaturated sensitivity is of primary concern to a bug detection concern. >Some people confuse an overloaded receiver and adjacent channel >interference pumping up the AGC with poor receiver sensitivity >or a weak signal and insist on hanging larger antennas on the >poor thing. This only crams more signal down the throat of the >receiver and makes the problem worse. More people would be >served better by attenuators than preamps. ... or a pre-selected directional antenna and THEN an amplifier (which is what the VBA-2400 does for us). >ICOM's R10, another handheld receiver with wide freq coverage, >had practically nonexistent HF performance. ICOM's service >bulletin advised users to connect an external HF antenna to the >thing if they wanted to listen to low frequencies. Anyone able >to do that would not choose a shirt pocket receiver to listen to >HF, of course. A toy AM broadcast radio worked better at AM >broadcast than the expensive R10. Bah... ICOM has to cobble things together to make the HF in most of their wide-band receivers work. If you want to tune in HF, then us an HF radio, if you want VHF/UHF then use a higher band unit. Look at the HF performance of the R-8500 (wide-band) versus the R-75 (dedicated HF). >That doesn't answer the question. > >The R3 is a poor performer at 2.4. Antennas are a big factor up >here. A 1/4 wave unity stick antenna, or some multiband wide >coverage coil loaded abortion like the stock factory rubber >antenna, is not effective at 2.4. Remember up here gain antennas >are used to get any realistic performance, and gain antennas >must by nature be directional. If you are not in the path, you >will not hear well with anything. Even Wavecoms and that >inexpensive class of mass produced systems have a typically 2-3 >dB patch antenna. Some systems are circularly polarized which is >another complicated issue. There is significant loss going from >circular polarized to linear polarized. All the 2.4 systems we >manufacture use circular polarized antennas, more to let me >isolate separate systems by mixing right hand and left hand than >for any other reason. Linear receives neither well. I do not >know offhand the loss. Gordon certainly would. I have found that once we get over 900 MHz it becomes critical to use a very highly directional antenna to reliably hunt down bugs or low power tranmsitter. >If you wanted to sniff 2.4, an effective cheap way is with the >repackaged Wavecom using a 6dB patch antenna mounted on a >pingpong paddle as I have written up and demonstrated. The good >sensitivity (cheap) coupled with the poor selectivity of the >Wavecom receivers (expensive) means that on one of the four >channels you will see anything within the band and quite a >distance outside either edge. Ah, but the secret to the Wavecoms are the cascaded AGC blocks they use on the IF, the multiple band-pass filters, and preselection just before the INA microwave amplifier on the front end. IMHO, the VBA work better then a patch antenna, but your right on target about the Wavcoms being really helpful. Just add a polarity switch so you can invert the video, and a pot so you can shift the black level. An unmodified Wavecom tends to perform very poorly when the signal is above 2.45 GHz or below 2.3 GHz, and some simple mods to the VCO will help expand the coverage. >Rich Wells has an excellent website reviewing many types of >receivers. I believe he is at www.strongsignals.net. He is >honest and competent. > >The R3 also eats batteries by the way. Impractical to use it on >batteries with the video active. You will carry a lot of spare >batteries and become intimate with either your charger or your >battery salesman. I have had good luck with the using several of the rechargeable battery packs as then are easy to change (I usually run 2-3 rechargeable per radio, plus a wall wart, a charger, and a vehicle adapter) >Long answer to a short question. > >Steve -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2414 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 8:24am Subject: MI5 foils plot to bug Prince William MI5 foils plot to bug Prince William http://www.excite.co.uk/news/story/UKOnlineReportTopNews/IIMFFH37839_2001-01-30_01-36-29_B522220 PRINCE WILLIAM BUGGING PLOT FOILED http://www1.sky.com/news/uk/story13.htm ================================== MI5 foils plot to bug Prince William http://www.excite.co.uk/news/story/UKOnlineReportTopNews/IIMFFH37839_2001-01-30_01-36-29_B522220 30/01/01 01:36 LONDON (Reuters) - Intelligence officers have uncovered a plot to bug Prince William at his Scottish university, newspapers reported. MI5 officers discovered electronic surveillance equipment during sweeps in the university town of St Andrews, the papers said. Unnamed intelligence sources were quoted as saying the equipment was set to tap into the prince's telephone calls and e-mails. It was programmed with word recognition triggers which would be activated when the prince was using the telephone or computer. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the bugging report. William, eldest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, will begin a four-year art history degree at St Andrews University in September. The principal of St Andrews University has warned students and staff of severe consequences if they leak stories about Prince William to the media. Both of William's parents have fallen victim to bugging devices and suffered the embarrassment of having their most private phone conversations made public. Prince Charles was taped having an intimate conversation with his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles while the tapes of Diana's conversations with friend James Gilbey became known as "Squidgygate". William is currently enjoying a year off from studying after leaving Eton College, west of London, last summer. He recently took part in a Raleigh International character-building mission to Chile where he taught English to local school children, cleaned lavatories and cooked for his fellow volunteers. ================================== PRINCE WILLIAM BUGGING PLOT FOILED http://www1.sky.com/news/uk/story13.htm MI5 has reportedly seized electronic bugging equipment intended to monitor Prince William when he attends university this autumn. The claim comes amid growing concern over his security and privacy during his studies at St Andrews. The prince, who will be studying History of Art, was believed to have been targeted by devices that would have allowed snoopers to monitor his phone calls, e-mails and internet use. It is not yet known where the equipment was concealed but it was believed to have been found just before Christmas, according to the Daily Express. Warned Meanwhile it has emerged students who sell stories about Prince William’s university life could be expelled. The principal of St Andrews has warned students if they try to cash in on the university’s most famous recent addition they may have to find themselves a new college. William is due to begin a four-year art history degree at the Scottish university in October. But there are fears hard-up students may be lured into taking snatch photographs of the Prince in the university bar or of revealing all about William’s private life to the newspapers. Police state Dr Brian Lang told the university newspaper The Saint students would be given their marching orders if the Prince’s privacy was infringed. And staff would be disciplined if details of William’s academic performance were revealed. He said: "I would take a very dim view of information of an inappropriate nature about any member of the university being passed on. "At worst, a perpetrator might find him or herself having to find another university." The Students’ Association stressed to Sky News Online those who pass on "tittle tattle" to journalists at the union bar were unlikely to be ordered out. Only "extreme" examples where students go out of their way to sell stories – or academic records – would lead to expulsion. "This is not a police state," said president Marcus Booth. "Everyone’s got a right to freedom of speech and comment but not to profit from selling details. If a journalist gets a few students drunk at the bar and they talk about student life and they say ‘he’s a great guy’ then that’s fair game," "But if someone smuggles in a member of the European paparazzi and they take a photograph of William changing, that’s different." Strong feelings Mr Booth said most students accepted the university’s line. "The students I’ ve spoken to feel very strongly about this, as do the staff,” he said. University spokesman Claire Grainger said the rules were no different to those applied to other students. Applications to the university soared by 44 per cent last week – a rise put down to the "William factor". Dr Lang, a former chief executive of the British Library, has agreed to give up his official residence to allow the history of art department to be housed under one roof. -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2415 From: A Grudko Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 8:52am Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 Quote- > I personally own and use several R-3's but would suggest that you use > a VBA-2400 as the sensitivity is fairly bad above 1.1 GHz on the R-3 > (too much conversion loss, and not enough preamp). JMA, who makes the VBA? I'm not familiar with it. Andy Grudko. D.P.M., Grad I.S, (S.A.) CEO - Grudko Wilson Associates (SA) (Pty) Ltd - Crime investigation & intelligence Johannesburg - Cape Town - Durban - Pretoria - UK - US - Canada - Australia - Israel - Bosnia. Agents in 41 countries - www.grudko.com - (+27 11) 465 9673 - 465 1487 (Fax) - Est. 1981 GIN (Charter), SACI (Pres), WAD, CALI, SASFed, SASA, SAMLF, SCIP (SA Chairman), UKPIN, AFIO (OS), IWWA, PRETrust, IPA, AmChamCom "When you need it done right - first time" 2416 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 11:36am Subject: Re: Icom IC-R3 At 4:52 PM +0200 1/30/01, A Grudko wrote: >Quote- >> I personally own and use several R-3's but would suggest that you use >> a VBA-2400 as the sensitivity is fairly bad above 1.1 GHz on the R-3 >> (too much conversion loss, and not enough preamp). > >JMA, who makes the VBA? I'm not familiar with it. > Research Electronics makes it, and we would be happy to provide it to you. The cost $ 495.00 USD, and it consists of a high gain, highly directional log periodic antenna with a built in low noise amplifier. It is powered by an 9 volt battery, but has a power jack for use with an appropriate wall-wart or external power supply. Also included is a small tripod suitable to setting it up on a table top. Personally, I have found it helpful to epoxy a laser pointer to the bottom of the antenna just below the amplifier module. If you are a list member, and ask nicely when you place your order with us; we will pay all the shipping charges via Federal Express (anywhere in the world) for your order. On a side note.... if any list member is interested in OSCOR's. ORIONS, CPM-700, VBA, Kaiser, EMCO antennas, AVCOM, WJ/Condor, Rockwell, Riser Bond, Lucent, Macom, or any other TSCM related equipment let me know as we provide real world, highly sophisticated equipment at very attractive pricing, and with very favorable conditions..... We provide good solid equipment, at a very fair price, with no games, and no bullshit. -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2417 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 11:41am Subject: Re: Digest Number 493 At 4:47 PM +0000 1/29/01, Adrian@a... wrote: >Manufacturers involved in Government NLJD trials are bound by a >Confidentiality Clause, I suppose those who fail to pre-qualify have >nothing to lose by spreading false rumours. Unwarranted criticism of >competitors equipment, by any manufacturer, does little to convince >potential users that your kit is any good! > >I can confirm that the only explosion caused by Superbroom was a massive >surge in Audiotel's order book. > >All NLJDs, particularly pulsed systems, will potentially activate certain >types of target, as will mobile phones, transceivers etc. > >Adrian Hickey >Audiotel International Ltd That's funny because I have personally been able to touch off an electric match (from a blasting cap) with an Audiotel Broom, a Locator, a Superscout, an ORION, and several other NLJD's. I don't think it's an issue of whose equipment is better, more of a case of why you should not bring ANY RF transmitter close to a electric match, blasting cap, or electrically controlled or detonated device. -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2418 From: JANVIER SEBASTIEN Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 8:26am Subject: INTELLIGENCE INTELLIGENCE ISSN 1245-2122 N. 378, 22 January 2001 Every Two to Three Weeks Next Issue on 5 February 2001 Publishing since 1980 Editor Olivier Schmidt (email adi@u...; web http://www.blythe.org/Intelligence; tel/fax 33 1 40 51 85 19; post ADI, 16 rue des Ecoles, 75005 Paris, France) Sébastien JANVIER (intelligence6@y...) web www.dgse.org post 3 square Françis Carco 78190 Trappes tel: 06.08.31.21.18 Copyright ADI 2001, reproduction in any form forbidden without explicit authorization from the ADI. A one year subscription (18 issues with full index) is US $315. TABLE OF CONTENTS, N. 378, 22 January 2001 FRONT PAGE WORLD-WIDE - CIA 2015 & THE COMING REAL WORLD p.1 TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES US NIJ SNIFFER GUIDE & BRITISH DEVICE p.2 THE FINE ART OF GARBAGEOLOGY p.3 DERA'S DEDICATED "THERMOBARIC" GRENADE p.4 GARBLED INPUT FOR BRIT CRIMINAL RECORDS p.5 COMPUTERS - Saddam's Explosive PlayStation. p.6 PEOPLE GREAT BRITAIN - SIR MICHAEL HANLEY p.7 NORTHERN IRELAND - NEIL MULHOLLAND p.8 RUSSIA - VIKTOR MAKAROV p.9 AGENDA COMING EVENTS THROUGH 1 MARCH 2001 p.10 INTELLIGENCE AROUND THE WORLD USA - OIL & BRITS POOR MIX ON WEST COAST p.11 - CIA'S OVERBEARING SECRECY GETS IT IN TROUBLE p.12 - Holiday Season at the CIA. p.13 - FBI & CIA GET A NEW JOINT CI-21 p.14 - FBI GOING AFTER LEE & CUBANS p.15 - FBI's Disaster Squad. p.16 - New Books on the FBI. p.17 - Pope Affair Leaves Canada Holding the Bag. p.18 GREAT BRITAIN - NEW CHINOOK CRASH THEORY, SAME OLD COVER-UP p.19 - MAXIMUM EMBARRASSMENT FOR MI6 p.20 - NEW YEAR HONOURS ROLE FOR SPIES p.21 - THE "HARD REALITY" OF POLICE CORRUPTION p.22 - EX-SPOOK TACKLES DOLE SCROUNGERS p.23 FRANCE - COMPARATIVE INTERNAL SECURITY & OTHER BOOKS p.24 GERMANY - FALSE "SPY FLAP" WITH BELGIUM p.25 ITALY - THE BRUTAL DEATH OF ROBERTO CALVI p.26 CYPRUS/SINGAPORE - BRITAIN'S SECRET NUCLEAR ARMS SITES p.27 BALKANS - Poor Depeleted Uranium "Takes the Rap". p.28 RUSSIA - OBUKHOV VERDICT OVERTURNED p.29 ZIMBABWE - WHO'S AFRAID OF THE CIO? p.30 SOUTHERN AFRICA - INTELLIGENCE SHAKEDOWNS & MIX UPS p.31 MIDDLE EAST - BIN LADEN AS A LOUSY EMPLOYER p.32 NEW ZEALAND - "SOLDIER FIVE" PUBLICATION POSTPONED p.33 --------------------------------------------- FRONT PAGE Intelligence, N. 378, 22 January 2001, p. 1 WORLD-WIDE THE CIA'S 2015 & THE COMING REAL WORLD The CIA recently released its "Global Trends 2015 - A Dialogue About the Future With Nongovernment Experts" (NIC 2000-02, December 2000; http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/ globaltrends2015/), stating that: "This paper was approved for publication by the National Foreign Intelligence Board under the authority of the Director of Central Intelligence. Prepared under the direction of the National Intelligence Council. Its table of contents is the following: Contents; Note on Process; Overview; The Drivers and Trends; Key Uncertainties - Technology Will Alter Outcomes; Key Challenges to Governance - People Will Decide; Discussion; Population Trends (Divergent Aging Patterns, Movement of People, Health, Natural Resources and Environment, Food, Water, Energy, Environment); Science and Technology (Information Technology, Biotechnology, Other Technologies); The Global Economy (Dynamism and Growth, Unequal Growth Prospects and Distribution, Economic Crises and Resilience); National and International Governance (Nonstate Actors, Criminal Organizations and Networks, Changing Communal Identities and Networks, Overall Impacts on States, International Cooperation); Future Conflict (Internal Conflicts, Transnational Terrorism, Interstate Conflicts, Reacting to US Military Superiority); Major Regions (East and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Russia and Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Canada, Latin America); Appendix; Four Alternative Global Futures. The "Note on Process" provides a good description of the publication: "In undertaking this comprehensive analysis, the NIC worked actively with a range of nongovernmental institutions and experts. We began the analysis with two workshops focusing on drivers and alternative futures, as the appendix describes. Subsequently, numerous specialists from academia and the private sector contributed to every aspect of the study, from demographics to developments in science and technology, from the global arms market to implications for the United States. Many of the judgments in this paper derive from our efforts to distill the diverse views expressed at these conferences or related workshops." "Major conferences cosponsored by the NIC with other government and private centers in support of Global Trends 2015 included: Foreign Reactions to the Revolution in Military Affairs (Georgetown University); Evolution of the Nation-State (University of Maryland); Trends in Democratization (CIA and academic experts); American Economic Power (Industry & Trade Strategies, San Francisco, CA); Transformation of Defense Industries (International Institute for Strategic Studies, London, UK); Alternative Futures in War and Conflict (Defense Intelligence Agency and Naval War College, Newport, RI, and CIA); Out of the Box and Into the Future - A Dialogue Between Warfighters and Scientists on Far Future Warfare (Potomac Institute, Arlington, VA); Future Threat Technologies Symposium (MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA); The Global Course of the Information Revolution - Technological Trends (RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA); The Global Course of the Information Revolution - Political, Economic, and Social Consequences (RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA); The Middle East - The Media, Information Technology, and the Internet (The National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, DC); Global Migration Trends and Their Implications for the United States (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, DC); Alternative Global Futures - 2000-2015 (Department of State/Bureau of Intelligence and Research and CIA's Global Futures Project)." "In October 2000, the draft report was discussed with outside experts, including Richard Cooper and Joseph Nye (Harvard University), Richard Haass (Brookings Institution), James Steinberg (Markle Foundation), and Jessica Mathews (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace). Their comments and suggestions are incorporated in the report. Daniel Yergin (Cambridge Energy Research Associates) reviewed and commented on the final draft." Below, we reprint the "Overview" and the "Appendix - Four Alternative Global Futures". "Overview - Global Trends 2015: A Dialogue About the Future With Nongovernment Experts Over the past 15 months, the National Intelligence Council (NIC), in close collaboration with US Government specialists and a wide range of experts outside the government, has worked to identify major drivers and trends that will shape the world of 2015. The key drivers identified are: (l) Demographics; (2) Natural resources and environment; (3) Science and technology; (4) The global economy and globalization; (5) National and international governance; (6) Future conflict; (7) The role of the United States." "In examining these drivers, several points should be kept in mind: No single driver or trend will dominate the global future in 2015. Each driver will have varying impacts in different regions and countries. The drivers are not necessarily mutually reinforcing; in some cases, they will work at cross-purposes. Taken together, these drivers and trends intersect to create an integrated picture of the world of 2015, about which we can make projections with varying degrees of confidence and identify some troubling uncertainties of strategic importance to the United States." "The Methodology - Global Trends 2015 provides a flexible framework to discuss and debate the future. The methodology is useful for our purposes, although admittedly inexact for the social scientist. Our purpose is to rise above short-term, tactical considerations and provide a longer-term, strategic perspective. Judgments about demographic and natural resource trends are based primarily on informed extrapolation of existing trends. In contrast, many judgments about science and technology, economic growth, globalization, governance, and the nature of conflict represent a distillation of views of experts inside and outside the United States Government. The former are projections about natural phenomena, about which we can have fairly high confidence; the latter are more speculative because they are contingent upon the decisions that societies and governments will make." "The drivers we emphasize will have staying power. Some of the trends will persist; others will be less enduring and may change course over the time frame we consider. The major contribution of the National Intelligence Council (NIC), assisted by experts from the Intelligence Community, has been to harness US Government and nongovernmental specialists to identify drivers, to determine which ones matter most, to highlight key uncertainties, and to integrate analysis of these trends into a national security context. The result identifies issues for more rigorous analysis and quantification." "Revisiting Global Trends 2010: How Our Assessments Have Changed Over the past four years. We have tested the judgments made in the predecessor, 'Global Trends 2010', published in 1997. 'Global Trends 2010' was the centerpiece of numerous briefings, conferences, and public addresses. Various audiences were energetic in challenging, modifying or confirming our judgments. The lively debate that ensued has expanded our treatment of drivers, altered some projections we made in 1997, and matured our thinking overall -- which was the essential purpose of this exercise." "'Global Trends 2015' amplifies several drivers identified previously, and links them more closely to the trends we now project over the next 15 years. Some of the key changes include: Globalization has emerged as a more powerful driver. GT 2015 sees international economic dynamics -- including developments in the World Trade Organization -- and the spread of information technology as having much greater influence than portrayed in GT 2010. GT 2015 assigns more significance to the importance of governance, notably the ability of states to deal with nonstate actors, both good and bad. GT 2015 pays attention both to the opportunities for cooperation between governments and private organizations and to the growing reach of international criminal and terrorist networks. GT 2015 includes a more careful examination of the likely role of science and technology as a driver of global developments. In addition to the growing significance of information technology, biotechnology and other technologies carry much more weight in the present assessment." "The effect of the United States as the preponderant power is introduced in GT 2015. The US role as a global driver has emerged more clearly over the past four years, particularly as many countries debate the impact of 'US hegemony' on their domestic and foreign policies. GT 2015 provides a more complete discussion of natural resources including food, water, energy, and the environment. It discusses, for example, the over three billion individuals who will be living in water-stressed regions from North China to Africa and the implications for conflict. The linkage between energy availability, price, and distribution is more thoroughly explored. GT 2015 emphasizes interactions among the drivers. For example, we discuss the relationship between S&T, military developments, and the potential for conflict." "In the regional sections, GT 2015 makes projections about the impact of the spread of information, the growing power of China, and the declining power of Russia. Events and trends in key states and regions over the last four years have led us to revise some projections substantially in GT 2015. GT 2010 did not foresee the global financial crisis of 1997-98; GT 2015 takes account of obstacles to economic development in East Asia, though the overall projections remain fairly optimistic. As described in GT 2010, there is still substantial uncertainty regarding whether China can cope with internal political and economic trends. GT 2015 highlights even greater uncertainty over the direction of Beijing's regional policies." "Many of the global trends continue to remain negative for the societies and regimes in the Middle East. GT 2015 projects at best a 'cold peace' between Israel and its adversaries and sees prospects for potentially destabilizing social changes due to adverse effects of globalization and insufficient attention to reform. The spike in oil revenues reinforces the assessment of GT 2010 about the rising demand for OPEC oil; these revenues are not likely to be directed primarily at core human resources and social needs. Projections for Sub-Saharan Africa are even more dire than in GT 2010 because of the spread of AIDS and the continuing prospects for humanitarian crises, political instability, and military conflicts." ... "Appendix - Four Alternative Global Futures. In September- October 1999, the NIC initiated work on 'Global Trends 2015' by cosponsoring with Department of State/INR and CIA's Global Futures Project two unclassified workshops on Alternative Global Futures: 2000-2015. The workshops brought together several dozen government and nongovernment specialists in a wide range of fields. The first workshop identified major factors and events that would drive global change through 2015. It focused on demography, natural resources, science and technology, the global economy, governance, social/cultural identities, and conflict and identified main trends and regional variations. These analyses became the basis for subsequent elaboration in Global Trends 2015. The second workshop developed four alternative global futures in which these drivers would interact in different ways through 2015. Each scenario was intended to construct a plausible, policy- relevant story of how this future might evolve: highlighting key uncertainties, discontinuities, and unlikely or 'wild card' events, and identifying important policy and intelligence challenges." "Scenario One - Inclusive Globalization: A virtuous circle develops among technology, economic growth, demographic factors, and effective governance, which enables a majority of the world's people to benefit from globalization. Technological development and diffusion -- in some cases triggered by severe environmental or health crises -- are utilized to grapple effectively with some problems of the developing world. Robust global economic growth -- spurred by a strong policy consensus on economic liberalization -- diffuses wealth widely and mitigates many demographic and resource problems. Governance is effective at both the national and international levels. In many countries, the state's role shrinks, as its functions are privatized or performed by public-private partnerships, while global cooperation intensifies on many issues through a variety of international arrangements. Conflict is minimal within and among states benefiting from globalization. A minority of the world's people -- in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the Andean region -- do not benefit from these positive changes, and internal conflicts persist in and around those countries left behind." "Scenario Two - Pernicious Globalization: Global elites thrive, but the majority of the world's population fails to benefit from globalization. Population growth and resource scarcities place heavy burdens on many developing countries, and migration becomes a major source of interstate tension. Technologies not only fail to address the problems of developing countries but also are exploited by negative and illicit networks and incorporated into destabilizing weapons. The global economy splits into three: growth continues in developed countries; many developing countries experience low or negative per capita growth, resulting in a growing gap with the developed world; and the illicit economy grows dramatically. Governance and political leadership are weak at both the national and international levels. Internal conflicts increase, fueled by frustrated expectations, inequities, and heightened communal tensions; WMD proliferate and are used in at least one internal conflict." "Scenario Three - Regional Competition: Regional identities sharpen in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, driven by growing political resistance in Europe and East Asia to US global preponderance and US-driven globalization and each region's increasing preoccupation with its own economic and political priorities. There is an uneven diffusion of technologies, reflecting differing regional concepts of intellectual property and attitudes towards biotechnology. Regional economic integration in trade and finance increases, resulting in both fairly high levels of economic growth and rising regional competition. Both the state and institutions of regional governance thrive in major developed and emerging market countries, as governments recognize the need to resolve pressing regional problems and shift responsibilities from global to regional institutions. Given the preoccupation of the three major regions with their own concerns, countries outside these regions in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia have few places to turn for resources or political support. Military conflict among and within the three major regions does not materialize, but internal conflicts increase in and around other countries left behind." "Scenario Four - Post-Polar World: US domestic preoccupation increases as the US economy slows, then stagnates. Economic and political tensions with Europe grow, the US-European alliance deteriorates as the United States withdraws its troops, and Europe turns inward, relying on its own regional institutions. At the same time, national governance crises create instability in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Panama, forcing the United States to concentrate on the region. Indonesia also faces internal crisis and risks disintegration, prompting China to provide the bulk of an ad hoc peacekeeping force. Otherwise, Asia is generally prosperous and stable, permitting the United States to focus elsewhere. Korea's normalization and de facto unification proceed, China and Japan provide the bulk of external financial support for Korean unification, and the United States begins withdrawing its troops from Korea and Japan. Over time, these geostrategic shifts ignite longstanding national rivalries among the Asian powers, triggering increased military preparations and hitherto dormant or covert WMD programs. Regional and global institutions prove irrelevant to the evolving conflict situation in Asia, as China issues an ultimatum to Japan to dismantle its nuclear program and Japan -- invoking its bilateral treaty with the US -- calls for US reengagement in Asia under adverse circumstances at the brink of a major war. Given the priorities of Asia, the Americas, and Europe, countries outside these regions are marginalized, with virtually no sources of political or financial support." "Generalizations Across the Scenarios: The four scenarios can be grouped in two pairs: the first pair contrasting the 'positive' and 'negative' effects of globalization; the second pair contrasting intensely competitive but not conflictual regionalism and the descent into regional military conflict. In all but the first scenario, globalization does not create widespread global cooperation. Rather, in the second scenario, globalization's negative effects promote extensive dislocation and conflict, while in the third and fourth, they spur regionalism. In all four scenarios, countries negatively affected by population growth, resource scarcities and bad governance, fail to benefit from globalization, are prone to internal conflicts, and risk state failure. In all four scenarios, the effectiveness of national, regional, and international governance and at least moderate but steady economic growth are crucial. In all four scenarios, US global influence wanes." COMMENT -- It should be noted that the CIA study is very heavily based on the concept of "globalization" which is still lacking a universally accepted definition. One social scientist studying the term has stated that "globalization" has simply replaced the over-used term, "development", which, in turn, replaced the worn-out term, "progress". It would be helpful to replace all occurrences of "globalization" in the CIA report with an unknown value, "X", that has to be defined each time it is used. Although the report tends to recognize that "US global influence wanes", it does not seem to take into account that "domestic" developments in the US -- the Jewish lobby, the Old China crowd, the Christian fundamentalists, Black Americans, Mexican Americans -- are not going to "ride out events" in any rational or neutral manner. The current right-wing fanatic reaction against China and the scandalous treatment of US nuclear scientist, Wen Ho Lee, provide a clear example of how "domestic" events can easily influence -- even determine -- international developments, a process the report conveniently sidelines. The "domestic" political backing of the US alliance with Israel is another example of a major conflict whose evolution is not being determined on the international scene but inside the United States. Not factoring in "domestic" US developments and only looking abroad is the chief weakness of the CIA report. Indeed, many foreign specialists see one of the near future's major problems and source of conflict as the increasing gap between rich and poor in the US and other "domestic" US instabilities. But then, that's the FBI's problem and not the CIA's. This lack of perspective is also manifest in the use of terms such as "forcing the United States to concentrate on the region". The US has been "concentrating" on China, Israel- Palestine, Colombia, Indonesia, and things aren't getting any better. Other "drivers" that certain specialists feel should be given more emphasis are Russia (the CIA missed predicting its collapse and may now miss its renaissance), the increasing role of joint international (military) intervention in the internal affairs of other countries (some suggest that the UN monitor the next US presidential election), and the bipolar world the euro and the dollar are creating. Those outside intelligence tend to forget that French francs cover most of Western Africa and Deutsch marks are used all the way from Poland to the Caucasues, while the US dollar is now the official money of several Latin American countries. It looks like countries are going to have to choose between the "American way of life" (death penalties and ghettos included) and "old Europe" (slow, inefficient but humane). There are plenty of unanticipated conflicts the CIA is going to have to deal with, but it should be congratulated for its outstanding effort at laying out its methodology and presenting its results. Now all it has to do is listen to its critics and assimilate their contributions. --------------------------------------------- TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNIQUES Intelligence, N. 378, 22 January 2001, p. 2 US NIJ SNIFFER GUIDE & BRITISH DEVICE The US National Institute of Justice (NIJ) just published a "Guide for the Selection of Drug Detectors for Law Enforcement Applications" (NIJ Guide 601-00) which surveys the field of contraband drug detection methods. It includes background information on the problem of contraband drugs in the United States, the various applications of drug detection, and a discussion of considerations that are important in choosing a drug detection system. It examines four major types of drug detection: trace detection technologies (mechanical "sniffers"), canine detection, bulk detection technologies (e.g., x-ray and other imaging techniques), and manual search techniques. Also included: a list of Web sites for companies making trace and bulk detection systems, basic information on common drugs of abuse, and a glossary of terms. It is available on the NCJRS Web site at http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/183260.pdf. A new British drug detection device, developed by Middlesex University, will begin "field tests" next month, and should help "stem the illicit trade" of drug trafficking in the UK, according to the British government's drug czar, Keith Hellawell, in a speech to academics and teachers at an International Conference for the Association of Science Education, held at Sussex University on 3 January. The equipment sniffs the air for particles of Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine, similar to the hand-held carbon dioxide detection devices used by UK Customs and Excise and cross- channel ferry companies to examine vehicles suspected of illegal immigration trafficking. Apart from the introduction of new technology, Mr. Hellawell told delegates that experts from UK police forces and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) had been seconded to Turkey, and to eastern European countries, to help target and identify traffickers. However, his speech was not without controversy and he was criticized for referring specifically to the British Turk community as a "key link" in the heroin trade, claiming the system worked through Turkish families and associates with legitimate businesses in Britain "which facilitate money laundering in London and other major cities". He qualified his remarks by stating "we don't want to tarnish all Turkish people, or people from eastern Europe as potential criminals ... but these linkages are something that we look at". --------------------------------------------- Intelligence, N. 378, 22 January 2001, p. 3 THE FINE ART OF GARBAGEOLOGY On 26 November, the "Sunday Times" published a leaked memo written by Jonathan Powell, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's top aide -- effectively his "chief of staff" -- containing a series of more-or-less decipherable jottings on a variety of subjects. The emergence of the memo, claimed the "Sunday Times", was indicative of a high-level "mole" inside Downing Street -- something widely touted in the media during the last few months. This disingenuous story belied what the "Sunday Times" knew very well: that the memo had -- with cat food and nappy contents thoughtfully scraped off -- been recovered from Powell's domestic rubbish. "Garbageology", also known in the US as "dumpster diving", is a traditional pursuit of intelligence services throughout the world. In the UK, there is also a small but thriving private sector which operates a lucrative practice selling the contents of office and household rubbish to newspapers. It is also a speciality of the computer hacking fraternity. The doyen of professional rubbish collectors in the British private sector is Benjamin Pell -- known as "Benji the Binman" -- who makes a decent living from raiding the rubbish of the rich and famous and, equally importantly, their lawyers and accountants. His most recent major coup was to supply the "Sunday Times" with documents showing that the millionaire Labour Party fundraiser and heavyweight fixer, Lord Levy, had only paid oe35,000 in income tax during 1998/99. The source was rubbish thrown out by Levy's accountants. On that occasion, Pell had been "commissioned" by the "Sunday Times" to acquire any material on Levy or another senior Blair adviser, Philip Gould. Murdoch-owned papers make regular use of the Binman's services: a number of invoices recovered by police during a search of his house in November 1999 revealed that over the previous six months he had been paid nearly oe36,000 for material concerning Jonathan Aitken, James Hewitt (sometime paramour of Princess Diana), and a case of alleged corruption in local government. Musicians Elton John, Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney, comedian Rik Mayall, "Spice Girl" Geri Halliwell and tycoon Mohammed al-Fayed have also been subject to his particular attentions. Invoices from the Mirror group, publishers of the tabloid "Daily Mirror" and "Sunday Mirror", were also found by police. The Binman's career was thought to have been brought to an end in November last year when he was successfully prosecuted and convicted of five counts of "stealing documentary waste" from a law firm (whose clients included Aitken and Hewitt). The police, who had searched his home, found 200,000 documents in a garden shed. In mitigation, Benji explained that he suffers from an "obsessive compulsive disorder", a psychiatric condition which takes the form of a collection mania. Though convicted, he avoided a jail sentence. Unfortunately, his notoriety is now such that he is invariably blamed whenever compromising material is recovered from somebody's rubbish. MI5 is not shy of doing its own bin-raiding on occasion but tend to be more discreet. Some evidence of their modus operandi comes from the diaries of Tony Benn, the veteran left-wing Labour MP. He recounts an occasion when -- suspecting that he was under MI5 surveillance -- he arranged for a wire 2419 From: Steve Uhrig Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 3:00pm Subject: Sniffing video at 2.4 -- Hints & Kinks Once upon a midnight dreary, Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH pondered, weak and weary: > The Avcom video demodulator I've been using would probably > work better with a different antenna. It's all in the antennas. > I'm using a discone most of the time, and the best I seem to > be able to get is a rolling image. Once you get above about a gig you need specialty antennas. And don't forget feedline losses at 2.4. Only a few feet of low loss coax is best. Forget the 25 and 50 foot jumpers. They are open circuits at 2.4. The rolling is due to sync compression in nonlinear PA stages in the transmitter. Most amplifier stages used in video transmitters, especially bastardized Wavecoms and add on/outboard amps, are not linear and compress the sync. Under the best of conditions many wireless video systems barely sync up. Some receivers, yours maybe, needs a louder sync than a purpose-built video receiver. Better grade transmitters like the ones we manufacture incorporate a sync stretcher circuit to essentially pre-emphasize the sync, so when it gets squashed in the power output stages there is enough left to lock up the monitor. Here is a tip to solve the problem for next to no cost. You can compensate for rolling/weak sync by going into your monitor and wrapping a few turns of wire around the flyback transformer in your monitor (CRT types only of course). Ground one side of the winding and run the other through maybe a 50K pot. Grab the wiper of the pot and apply that to the AGC stage of the receiver. The receiver can be part of the monitor or a separate unit. What this will do is grab the pulse off the flyback about when the receiver/monitor is expecting the sync pulse, and drive the AGC gain way up only for that sync period. When the compressed sync pulse arrives in the receiver, the gain is cranked way up and it amplifies the sync pulse back to normal levels, but only when the receiver is expecting sync. Tune the pot for the proper level applied to the AGC for best lock. The most you might have to do is make sure your pulse is driving the AGC gain up, not down, at the proper time. A scope will show you the pulse you pick up off the flyback which will match the timing of the incoming sync pulse. Above concept and implementation (c) Steve circa 1985! > One thing that does work is to put a flashing strobe light in > view of the camera. If nothing else, you can see the flash. Cheaper is an inexpensive hardware store bimetal flasher you put in series with whatever table or desk lamp you can borrow. No wiring required as the flasher goes between the plug and the wall outlet. Thank Marty for this one, which works beautifully. If you see a flash on your monitor, you start sweeping the walls with a flashlight to find the camera. Most practically sized antennas will not be directional enough to where aiming is that critical. If you can hold and transport the thing, it is not going to have enough gain to where the pattern is that sharp. The 6dB patch antenna I use is plenty adequate. Fits on a pingpong paddle and has about a 60 degree beamwidth. Even the high gain antennas will still be something like 20 degrees horizontal (to the 3 dB down point). Not critical. Steve ******************************************************************* Steve Uhrig, SWS Security, Maryland (USA) Mfrs of electronic surveillance equip mailto:Steve@s... website http://www.swssec.com tel +1+410-879-4035, fax +1+410-836-1190 "In God we trust, all others we monitor" ******************************************************************* 2420 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 6:10pm Subject: Re: Sniffing video at 2.4 -- Hints & Kinks At 4:00 PM -0500 1/30/01, Steve Uhrig wrote: >Once upon a midnight dreary, Rick Hofmann - MICROSEARCH pondered, >weak and weary: > >> The Avcom video demodulator I've been using would probably >> work better with a different antenna. > >It's all in the antennas. > >> I'm using a discone most of the time, and the best I seem to >> be able to get is a rolling image. > >Once you get above about a gig you need specialty antennas. And >don't forget feedline losses at 2.4. Only a few feet of low loss >coax is best. Forget the 25 and 50 foot jumpers. They are open >circuits at 2.4. > >The rolling is due to sync compression in nonlinear PA stages in >the transmitter. Most amplifier stages used in video >transmitters, especially bastardized Wavecoms and add >on/outboard amps, are not linear and compress the sync. Under >the best of conditions many wireless video systems barely sync >up. Some receivers, yours maybe, needs a louder sync than a >purpose-built video receiver. Better grade transmitters like the >ones we manufacture incorporate a sync stretcher circuit to >essentially pre-emphasize the sync, so when it gets squashed in >the power output stages there is enough left to lock up the >monitor. [snip] [cough-cough] if I might be so bold.... The "rolling" or tearing is also caused by an ***inverted*** sync pulse which is common on the X10 units, and various non-Wavecom versions. Also rolling/tearing is also an indication of a 15 kHz horizontal PAL/SECAM signal instead of a 15.734 NTSC kHz signal. I have personal knowledge of specific U.S. eavesdroppers using PAL/SECAM video in the US, and specific spy shops in the US selling PAL/SECAM covert video equipment. What better way to throw off a U.S. based TSCM person then to use a non US video signal. I have also examined video transmission equipment (for ENG and surveillance usage) where the equipment did not emit any kind of sync pulse or similar signal but was instead locked onto a timing standard broadcast from the listening post/studio (which provided genlock to the remote cameras). Also, most normal cables and connectors (ie: Radio Shack Grade RG58) are fairly worthless above 1 GHz, and as a result you have to keep your cables as short as possible ***AND*** use ultra-high grade cables and connectors. Personally, I prefer RG-214 cables and N Type connectors for the microwave lower frequencies, and SMA with RG-400 at higher frequencies (mm signals are an entirely different thing). -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2421 From: Steve Uhrig Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 7:19pm Subject: Mangled sync? Once upon a midnight dreary, James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng pondered, weak and weary: > The "rolling" or tearing is also caused by an ***inverted*** sync > pulse which is common on the X10 units, and various non-Wavecom > versions. Also rolling/tearing is also an indication of a 15 kHz > horizontal PAL/SECAM signal instead of a 15.734 NTSC kHz signal. I personally have never seen "inverted" sync pulses and I have been around video some. I have seen, many many times, low sync levels, particularly on wireless video. > I have personal knowledge of specific U.S. eavesdroppers using > PAL/SECAM video in the US, and specific spy shops in the US > selling PAL/SECAM covert video equipment. What better way to > throw off a U.S. based TSCM person then to use a non US video > signal. PAL into an NTSC monitor generally is easily readable, but with a large black band across the bottom of the screen. It's not pretty but perfectly copyable. I have a fair amount of PAL gear here. The differences are not all that much. You won't get broadcast quality but you will get a usable image. I would presume anyone experiencing rolling would first try to stop it with the vertical adjustment, which changes the frequency and/or level of the sync. If that doesn't stop it, my suggestion will work. I have done it, several times. in several countries. I also manufacture NTSC to PAL converters so I have a pretty fair idea of the differences in the formats. The chances of seeing compressed sync in the field are far greater than seeing the wrong format. Transmitting PAL in an attempt to prevent interception would not be effective and a complete waste of time and money. Steve ******************************************************************* Steve Uhrig, SWS Security, Maryland (USA) Mfrs of electronic surveillance equip mailto:Steve@s... website http://www.swssec.com tel +1+410-879-4035, fax +1+410-836-1190 "In God we trust, all others we monitor" ******************************************************************* 2422 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Tue Jan 30, 2001 8:19pm Subject: REI VBA-2400 (2.4 GHz Video Booster Antenna) Here is some additional information on the VBA... The units I have examined have had a center frequency of 2.380 GHz, with a bandwidth of roughly 200 MHz. The internal preselection filter frequency coverage is roughly 2.33 to 2.53 GHz, (between the -3 dB drop points, as actually measured by myself on a several production units). On the lower skirt the filter drops to -12 dB at 2.30 GHz, and the upper skirt drops down to -12 dB at 2.575 GHz. The unit uses a preamplifier circuit with roughly 22 dB of gain, but after we take into account the insertion loss of the preselection filters, and nF (noise factor) of the VBA the effective actual gain is about 15 dB (as measured on a production unit with a microwave network analyzer). The actual geometry of the log periodic antenna provides a gain of about 8-12 dB (but Tom feel free to correct me on this). The end result is that the signal is punched up about 22-28 dB which is one heck of a boost over a 3 to 6 dB patch antennas. If your using a broadband discone with RG-58 coax or rubber ducky antenna currently, you will be stunned at the massive difference the VBA makes. The VBA is roughly 8 inches long, 3 inches wide, and three quarters inch thick (not including the sturdy fold-up antenna that is provided). The only thing I don't like about it is that I feel the bandwidth should be wider, and cover 2.00 to 2.700 GHz (700 MHz bandwidth), the ripple is a little too high on the lower skirt. (cough-cough) I hope Tom and Bruce see this, perhaps they could come out with a Wide band version (cough-cough) If you would like something small like the VBA-2400 (under a grand) and don't mind using PayPal you can buy and pay for the VBA though the following link. The total price is $495.00 (494.99 + .01 S&H) as PayPal insists that I charge something for shipping): https://secure.paypal.com/xclick/business=jmatk%40tscm.com&undefined_quantity=1&item_name=2.4+GHz+Video+Booster+Antenna&item_number=VBA-2400&amount=494.99&shipping=.01&return=http%3A//www.tscm.com/ PayPal will let you write an eCheck and pull the funds directly out of your checking account, or charge the purchase against all major credit cards. Alternately you an just send a company check, money order, etc. but I only accept plastic though PayPal. As a courtesy we ship via Federal Express, and pay the shipping charges for you (so you get free courier shipping) -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803 Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467 127 Eastern Avenue #291 http://www.tscm.com/ Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 jmatk@t... ======================================================================= The First, The Largest, The Most Popular, and The Most Complete TSCM, Technical Security, and Counterintelligence Site on the Internet. ======================================================================= 2423 From: A Grudko Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 6:01am Subject: Re: Sniffing video at 2.4 -- Hints & Kinks Jeepers, this switch to yahoogroops has caused some headaches - anyway.... ----- Original Message ----- Snipped--------- > Once you get above about a gig you need specialty antennas. I have a 'corner' antenna, made by a local company, which works great although it's big and heavy (I thought things gor smaller as frequency went up!). It is said to be 10db gain at 1 gig, 16 db at 3 gigs. I link it to my receiver/SA with less than a metre of Belden 9114 coax. The reflector is made from powder coated 1.6 mm steel plate (in 2 pieces which bolt together to facilitate transporting) about 14" high and a bit wider, forming a 90 degree 'wing'. Mounted at the focus is a triangular, horizontally polarised element, about 3" at the base and 4" long It works well and is very directional - I'd guess 20 degrees or better. > The rolling is due to sync compression in nonlinear PA stages in > the transmitter. I have a portable sync generator built by a ham buddy which I put in line and it works great - if anyone needs one let me know privatly and I'll get the circuit diagram out of him!! Andy Grudko. D.P.M., Grad I.S, (S.A.) CEO - Grudko Wilson Associates (SA) (Pty) Ltd - Crime investigation & intelligence Johannesburg - Cape Town - Durban - Pretoria - UK - US - Canada - Australia - Israel - Bosnia. Agents in 41 countries - www.grudko.com - (+27 11) 465 9673 - 465 1487 (Fax) - Est. 1981 GIN (Charter), SACI (Pres), WAD, CALI, SASFed, SASA, SAMLF, SCIP (SA Chairman), UKPIN, AFIO (OS), IWWA, PRETrust, IPA, AmChamCom "When you need it done right - first time" 2424 From: Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 4:17am Subject: This is not why I get the big bucks.... In a message dated 1/31/01 5:57:58 AM Pacific Standard Time, agrudko@i... writes: << Jeepers, this switch to yahoogroops has caused some headaches - anyway.... >> http://au.egroups.com/mygroups It's the same good old systems of eGroups. And it works great for us Yanks. You won't be disappointed. You'll have the same id and password. Also, you can try these. Ausralia http://au.egroups.com/mygroups Canada http://www.egroups.ca/ UK http://www.egroups.co.uk/ China http://cn.egroups.com/ HK http://www.egroups.com.hk/ India http://in.egroups.com/ Japan: http://www.egroups.co.jp/ Korea http://kr.egroups.com/ Taiwan http://tw.egroups.com/ Fra nce http://www.egroups.fr/ Germany http://www.egroups.de/ Italy http://it.egroups.com/ 2425 From: Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 5:03am Subject: Survivor - humor Plans are already in the making for a third "Survivor" show. It will be staged in Texas, which is obviously larger than Australia. 10 people will each drive from San Antonio to Amarillo in a Volkswagen bus painted with peace signs and a huge banner that reads: I AM A QUEER, DEMOCRAT, VEGETARIAN AND I AM COMING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR GUNS! Whoever survives will be the winner...... 2426 From: Robert G. Ferrell Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 10:41am Subject: Re: Survivor - humor >Plans are already in the making for a third "Survivor" show. It will be >staged in Texas, which is obviously larger than Australia. > >10 people will each drive from San Antonio to Amarillo in a Volkswagen bus >painted with peace signs and a huge banner that reads: > >I AM A QUEER, DEMOCRAT, VEGETARIAN AND I AM COMING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR GUNS! > >Whoever survives will be the winner...... This is a really cool example of the evolution of an Internet story. This joke originated several years ago without the "Survivor" reference. I added the "Volkswagen Bus" part to it about a year ago and sent it on. Now someone's made it topical by linking it to "Survivor." Fascinating, Captain... RGF Robert G. Ferrell, CISSP Information Systems Security Officer National Business Center U. S. Dept. of the Interior Robert_G_Ferrell@n... ======================================== Who goeth without humor goeth unarmed. ======================================== 2427 From: Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 3:08pm Subject: Fingerprints for food Technology allows some students to leave lunch money at home Students at Welsh Valley Middle School, in Penn Valley, Pa., are part of a fingerprinting program that lets pupils pay for tater-tots and other cafeteria delicacies without ever carrying cash. ASSOCIATED PRESS PENN VALLEY, Pa., Jan. 24 ­ The tiny ridges on a student's index finger could soon make school lunch money and lunch-line bullies a thing of the past. A fingerprint identification program used in three Pennsylvania school districts allows pupils to pay for chicken nuggets, sloppy Joes, pizza and other cafeteria delicacies without ever carrying cash. Food Service Solutions Penn Cambria School District Sagem Morpho "IT'S CERTAINLY a lot faster," said Linda Kelly, cafeteria manager at Welsh Valley Middle School in this Philadelphia suburb. Students place their index fingers on small scanners, and a template matches them with their electronic print. The program plots 27 points on a grid that correspond with the fingerprint's ridges. The fingerprint image is discarded, and the points are assigned numbers. According to the system's manufacturers, only the numbers are retained and those cannot be reinterpreted into a fingerprint image. "Both parents and students can rest assured that the fingerprint images cannot be used by law enforcement for identification purposes," says the Web site of Food Service Solutions Inc., the Altoona company that installed the system. "Only a mathematical algorithm remains in the system after registration ­ not fingerprint images." But the American Civil Liberties Union fears the technology ­ known as biometrics ­ could hasten the end of privacy rights. Biometrics uses unalterable physical characteristics to verify a person's identity. On the Frontier • Intel introduces energy-saving chips• How to up radio signal data capacity• Too cool! Shrinking portable devices• IBM building Linux supercomputer• Honey, I shrunk the scientist• Voice recognition improves "It's a sign of things to come," said Barry Steinhardt, associate director of the ACLU. "We will be able to be identified with biometrics in virtually every situation. The use of the digital fingerprint is just one example of that." Biometric devices that identify people by physical characteristics ­ such as eye patterns, voice tones and handprints ­ have been the stuff of cinema for decades. Until recently, costs had restricted their use mainly to government offices and military bases. A WAY AROUND SLOW LINES Welsh Valley, about 10 miles west of Philadelphia, began testing the program in the fall to deal with slow lunch lines. "You don't have to bring lunch money. So, somebody can't take it," said Tawanda Worthy, 13. Only a few of Welsh Valley's 700 children have declined to be fingerprinted. "They think the FBI's going to get them or something," said Kelly, the cafeteria manager. The corporation that supplies Food Service Solutions with the system ­ Sagem Morpho Inc. of Tacoma, Wash. ­ lists as its clients more than two dozen law enforcement groups in 13 states, as well as the FBI and Secret Service. "We are on the cusp of a surveillance society," said Steinhardt, of the ACLU. Officials at Food Service Solutions, Sagem Morpho and the ACLU said they didn't know of any other state where fingerprints were being used in lunch lines. NO MORE LOST CARDS Penn Cambria School District, about 75 miles east of Pittsburgh, began the program in August 1999 at its high school and plans to use it in all five of its schools by next year. Technology and Society • Using cell phones to stop smoking• McDonald's offers interactive kiosks• NAPOLI: Super Bowl is dot-com Super Bust• Digital gender gap• High-tech inaugural protests• NAPOLI: Don't blame Internet for adoption brouhaha "The other benefits? One, no lost cards. Two, no one can access another person's account with a lost PIN number. Three, it's good for the parents. The money is in the account and they know that the money is only being spent on school lunches," said Milton Miller, Penn Cambria's director of food services. Also, those who receive free and reduced-price lunches aren't embarrassed by having their names checked off a list. "That's one of the biggest benefits," said David Magill, superintendent of the Lower Merion School District, which includes Welsh Valley. "They won't be stigmatized." Mitch Johns, president of Food Service Solutions, said the program will cost between $4,000 and $5,000 per lunch lane. It was developed to help schools comply with federal law that prohibits schools from overtly identifying those receiving free and reduced price lunches, he said. Because the program is in the testing phase, the Lower Merion district is not paying for it. The Penn Cambria district is getting the system free because it was the first to test it. The Tussy Mountain School District in central Pennsylvania is paying. Tools and Toys • Is Dreamcast finally dead?• Nortel unveils tracking technology• Sega announces new gaming system• Movies, video games seen merging• RealNetworks to offer NBA content• Microsoft to help convert Java• Gaming industry gets good grades• AMD finds backers for mobile chip Within the next year, mobile phones and personal computers will have fingerprint scanners as optional equipment, providing convenience as well as increased security. Government benefits such as welfare payments are increasingly being secured with biometrics. The Immigration and Naturalization Service relies on handprint scans to help some 45,000 frequent international travelers re-enter the country without a passport check. "Right now you have databases full of information that can be hacked," said Richard Norton, executive director of the International Biometrics Association in Washington, D.C. "You can't take a look at a biometric, which is a string of ones and zeros, and figure out who somebody is." © 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. IBM backs Linux software system Nortel unveils tracking software Sega kills Dreamcast to focus on software KRAKOW: Microportable video projectors Qualcomm aims for wireless standard MSNBC Cover Page HAVE A GREAT DAY !!! ---------- http://www.msnbc.com/news/521005.asp [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] 2428 From: Thomas H. Jones Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 2:30pm Subject: RE: Digest Number 495 >Manufacturers involved in Government NLJD trials are bound by a >Confidentiality Clause, I suppose those who fail to pre-qualify have >nothing to lose by spreading false rumors. Unwarranted criticism of >competitors equipment, by any manufacturer, does little to convince >potential users that your kit is any good! >All NLJDs, particularly pulsed systems, will potentially activate certain >types of target, as will mobile phones, transceivers etc. >Adrian Hickey >Audiotel International Ltd Ouch! I certainly have no intention of propagating any false rumors and you can be assured that false rumors would never be generated by anyone at REI. The only intent was to clarify the operation of the ORION. I apologize and should not have included the information that I passed from agents in India without first verification. Thank you for your succinct clarification. The ORION was not included in the India government trials for EOD because we refused to market and recommend the product for EOD because of the unknown risk. But, to further clarify and to my knowledge, the ORION is the only NLJD that has multiple modes of operation and can operate in a CW mode or in a pulsed mode. As previously stated, we do not pretend to be EOD experts, but if you are, please tell me the best approach. If you believe pulsing to be a bad idea, put the ORION in the CW mode with low output power and use the DSP to achieve superior sensitivity. If you believe CW power to be a bad idea, put the ORION in the pulsing mode to have a very low average power and use the DSP to also have superior sensitivity. I am hoping that some experts will clarify the best approach. I will comment no further to this list regarding NLJD and EOD because I believe the thread to be exhausted. But, I do feel that the comment from Adrian Hickey about "Unwarranted criticism" seems a bit ironic. Tom Jones REI General Manager 2429 From: Charles P Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 5:32pm Subject: Re: Fingerprints for food >"That's one of the biggest benefits," said David Magill, >superintendent of the Lower Merion School District Hey, my alma mater ! (always on the cutting edge... at least that's what they told us back in '73) charles ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 4:08 PM Subject: [TSCM-L] Fingerprints for food > Technology allows some students to leave lunch money at home Students > at Welsh Valley Middle School, in Penn Valley, Pa., are part of a > fingerprinting program that lets pupils pay for tater-tots and other > cafeteria delicacies without ever carrying cash. > ASSOCIATED PRESS > PENN VALLEY, Pa., Jan. 24 - The tiny ridges on a student's index > finger could soon make school lunch money and lunch-line bullies a thing > of the past. A fingerprint identification program used in three > Pennsylvania school districts allows pupils to pay for chicken nuggets, > sloppy Joes, pizza and other cafeteria delicacies without ever carrying > cash. > > > Food Service Solutions > Penn Cambria School District > Sagem Morpho > > > "IT'S CERTAINLY a lot faster," said Linda Kelly, > cafeteria manager at Welsh Valley Middle School in this Philadelphia > suburb. > Students place their index fingers on small scanners, and > a template matches them with their electronic print. The program plots > 27 points on a grid that correspond with the fingerprint's ridges. > The fingerprint image is discarded, and the points are > assigned numbers. According to the system's manufacturers, only the > numbers are retained and those cannot be reinterpreted into a > fingerprint image. > "Both parents and students can rest assured that the > fingerprint images cannot be used by law enforcement for identification > purposes," says the Web site of Food Service Solutions Inc., the Altoona > company that installed the system. "Only a mathematical algorithm > remains in the system after registration - not fingerprint images." > But the American Civil Liberties Union fears the > technology - known as biometrics - could hasten the end of privacy > rights. Biometrics uses unalterable physical characteristics to verify a > person's identity. > On the Frontier > . Intel introduces energy-saving chips. How to up radio signal > data capacity. Too cool! Shrinking portable devices. IBM > building Linux supercomputer. Honey, I shrunk the > scientist. Voice recognition improves > "It's a sign of things to come," said Barry Steinhardt, > associate director of the ACLU. "We will be able to be identified with > biometrics in virtually every situation. The use of the digital > fingerprint is just one example of that." > Biometric devices that identify people by physical > characteristics - such as eye patterns, voice tones and handprints - > have been the stuff of cinema for decades. Until recently, costs had > restricted their use mainly to government offices and military bases. > > A WAY AROUND SLOW LINES > Welsh Valley, about 10 miles west of Philadelphia, began > testing the program in the fall to deal with slow lunch lines. > "You don't have to bring lunch money. So, somebody can't > take it," said Tawanda Worthy, 13. > Only a few of Welsh Valley's 700 children have declined > to be fingerprinted. "They think the FBI's going to get them or > something," said Kelly, the cafeteria manager. > The corporation that supplies Food Service Solutions with > the system - Sagem Morpho Inc. of Tacoma, Wash. - lists as its > clients more than two dozen law enforcement groups in 13 states, as well > as the FBI and Secret Service. > "We are on the cusp of a surveillance society," said > Steinhardt, of the ACLU. > Officials at Food Service Solutions, Sagem Morpho and the > ACLU said they didn't know of any other state where fingerprints were > being used in lunch lines. > > NO MORE LOST CARDS > Penn Cambria School District, about 75 miles east of > Pittsburgh, began the program in August 1999 at its high school and > plans to use it in all five of its schools by next year. > Technology and Society > . Using cell phones to stop smoking. McDonald's offers > interactive kiosks. NAPOLI: Super Bowl is dot-com Super > Bust. Digital gender gap. High-tech inaugural > protests. NAPOLI: Don't blame Internet for adoption brouhaha > "The other benefits? One, no lost cards. Two, no one can > access another person's account with a lost PIN number. Three, it's good > for the parents. The money is in the account and they know that the > money is only being spent on school lunches," said Milton Miller, Penn > Cambria's director of food services. > Also, those who receive free and reduced-price lunches > aren't embarrassed by having their names checked off a list. > "That's one of the biggest benefits," said David Magill, > superintendent of the Lower Merion School District, which includes Welsh > Valley. "They won't be stigmatized." > Mitch Johns, president of Food Service Solutions, said > the program will cost between $4,000 and $5,000 per lunch lane. It was > developed to help schools comply with federal law that prohibits schools > from overtly identifying those receiving free and reduced price lunches, > he said. > Because the program is in the testing phase, the Lower > Merion district is not paying for it. The Penn Cambria district is > getting the system free because it was the first to test it. The Tussy > Mountain School District in central Pennsylvania is paying. > Tools and Toys > . Is Dreamcast finally dead?. Nortel unveils tracking > technology. Sega announces new gaming system. Movies, video > games seen merging. RealNetworks to offer NBA content. Microsoft > to help convert Java. Gaming industry gets good grades. AMD > finds backers for mobile chip > Within the next year, mobile phones and personal > computers will have fingerprint scanners as optional equipment, > providing convenience as well as increased security. > Government benefits such as welfare payments are > increasingly being secured with biometrics. The Immigration and > Naturalization Service relies on handprint scans to help some 45,000 > frequent international travelers re-enter the country without a passport > check. > "Right now you have databases full of information that > can be hacked," said Richard Norton, executive director of the > International Biometrics Association in Washington, D.C. "You can't take > a look at a biometric, which is a string of ones and zeros, and figure > out who somebody is." > > © 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This > material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. > > > IBM backs Linux software system Nortel unveils tracking > software Sega kills Dreamcast to focus on software KRAKOW: > Microportable video projectors Qualcomm aims for wireless > standard MSNBC Cover Page > > > > > > > > > > HAVE A GREAT DAY !!! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------- > > http://www.msnbc.com/news/521005.asp > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ======================================================== > TSCM-L Technical Security Mailing List > "In a multitude of counselors there is strength" > > To subscribe to the TSCM-L mailing list visit: > http://www.onelist.com/community/TSCM-L > > or email your subscription request to: > subTSCM-L@t... > =================================================== TSKS > > 2430 From: Charles P Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 5:36pm Subject: Darwin-ian last words I suppose this could be added to the list of famous last words: "Sure, I've use my NLJD for EOD many times!" :) 2431 From: James M. Atkinson, Comm-Eng Date: Wed Jan 31, 2001 6:12pm Subject: Re: Darwin-ian last words At 6:36 PM -0500 1/31/01, Charles P wrote: >I suppose this could be added to the list of famous last words: > >"Sure, I've use my NLJD for EOD many times!" > >:) My offer has always been that if a salesman for a NLJD manufacture will hold a live blasting cap in his teeth I would be happy to pass a live NLJD over it several times. It's funny that U.S. Army TM 5-25, page 2-7 mandates a 30 meter "minimum safe distance" from any RF transmitter antenna (more if the RF is over 3 watts), and yet a NLJD is a transmitter that people will foolishly pass over a land mine or improvised explosive device. Using a NLJD for EOD work is like looking for a gas leak with a lit match. If you have thousands of "disposable" bomb techs (like India, Pakistan, and a few other countries) then the loss of a person here in there is just a minor annoyance to their governments. If you really, really feel the need to use a fairly strong RF transmitter to test bombs, then at least wear a full bomb suit, and use a proverbial 10 foot stick. Just to make myself clear: I do not in any way advocate the use of a NLJD in EOD or bomb disposal applications, nor will I encourage others to create an RF field in the presence of or within the stand-off zone at or around an explosive device. -jma -- ======================================================================= Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell ======================================================================= James M. 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