eyespymag.com: the magazine that lifts the lid on the world of intelligence, espionage, terrorism, and much more

VEHICLE TRACKING

In this issue, Peter looks at the various ways that vehicles or objects can be tracked using specialist equipment freely available to the general public.

In surveillance, there is nothing better than having actual ‘eyes’ on the target. A good surveillance team will be able to keep watch on their target by having him in view. However, this is not always possible - especially with a very aware target. Therefore, technical means may have to be deployed in order to track the movements of the target.

Vehicle Tracking

Up until a few years ago, the only way to track vehicle movements was by using Direction Finding (DF) transmitters and receivers. These transmitters were concealed in or under a vehicle that emits a ‘bleep’ signal every couple of seconds over a fairly wide distance.

The trackers have a special receiving unit in their vehicle, which gives them a general direction of where the transmitter is. In addition, the audio level of the ‘beep’ will let the tracker know how far away the target is.

A second vehicle fitted with the same equipment would also have to be deployed. This ensures a more accurate location of the target because both tracking vehicles would provide a compass bearing which can be plotted on a map, and therefore, pin point an accurate location of the target. This method has proven to be fairly accurate.

With advances in technology, tracking transmitter devices are available that require the use of only one tracking vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an array of antennas on its roof. The antenna device will specify direction and a rough distance of the target location. However, in order for this to be an effective surveillance tool, you must be capable of understanding how to read this device’s mapping coordinates.

Satellite Technology

Technology has moved forward in relation to tracking equipment. The majority of surveillance equipment has been used for commercial use, but has now been adapted to suit the surveillance operator.

Readers may be familiar with Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Originally, the GPS was designed as a navigational instrument for aircraft and maritime vessels to show their exact location. Now, the GPS has been made more available to the general public for use in outdoor sports as a portable navigational aid.

Vehicle GPS

These small hand held units have the appearance of a mobile phone, are easy to use, and rely on three navigational satellites to pin point your location anywhere on the planet up to an accuracy of 10 metres.

Many of these GPS devices have internal memory, and can automatically store ‘waypoints’ over a particular time period. What this means is that you can programme the GPS to store a grid reference of its location every five minutes, or whatever applicable. If one of these devices were to be concealed in a vehicle and programmed to store a waypoint every five minutes, you can use it as a tracking device. As the vehicle travels throughout the day, the GPS automatically stores these waypoints or grid references in its memory. At the end of the day, the GPS can be removed, and the grid references read and plotted on a map showing the route that that vehicle has taken. The majority of GPS devices have the ability to be connected to a laptop computer using digital mapping. The advantage of this is that the data is plotted on a map automatically.

Hand Held GPS

Covert Remote Monitoring

There are many companies worldwide producing GPS systems specifically to be used as surveillance devices to track the movements of vehicles.

The device can be installed in a vehicle or be attached by magnets to the underside. Simply explained, it is interfaced with a GSM mobile phone. The GPS receives data transmitted from navigation satellites, and plots its ground location. The device can then be interrogated by dialling into the mobile phone interface by telephone or computer, and you will obtain a grid reference or a Latitude/Longitude position. If you are interrogating the device via a laptop computer, you will be able to locate the vehicle using digital mapping.

Laptop Digital Mapping

This method is highly accurate, and is able to keep the vehicle under surveillance from a comfortable location. These devices can also be fitted with microphones so that you can actually listen in on conversations taking place inside the target vehicle. This equipment is available on the open market for as little of £1,500 ($2,500).

Other Trackers

GPS tracking systems can be fairly bulky (about the size of two cigarette packets). This may not pose a problem when concealed in a vehicle, but at times, we may need to keep track of certain objects that do not offer much space for concealment.

An alternative system to tracking can be carried out with miniature direction finding transmitters similar to those mentioned above. These devices can be concealed in any item or product and be activated when it is moved, and then tracked to where it goes and rests.

Magnetic Vehicle Bug

There are many crude devices like this on the market, but the best and probably the most reliable transmitters for this application are designed and used by Falconers in order to track birds of prey. The transmitter is about the size of a paper clip, have their own small power supply, and are totally weatherproof. When activated by switch, motion, or light, it will emit a ‘bleep’, and will operate over long distances. A special hand-held receiving antenna called a Yagi antenna is used in order to find the direction that the signal is coming from, and is fairly accurate.

Falcon

Using two receivers, or for greater accuracy - three, it is possible to provide an accurate location of the device. The batteries can last a number of weeks, and have a transmitting range of up to 25 kilometres. A system similar to this was pioneered many years ago in order to track the movements of terrorist weapons.

Conclusion

Tracking equipment, like any other electronic surveillance device, is open to failure. Therefore, it would only be used as an aid or as a back up for physical surveillance. What is frightening about satellite tracking, is the high degree of accuracy it has in locating a vehicle from anywhere on the planet.

Further information: Counter Surveillance Equipment www.audiotel-int.com Tel: 01536 266677
Search Teams
csc.int@care4free.net
Tel: +44 (0) 1227 741022
© Peter Jenkins 2002