Vectronics VEC-8218K - Manual

VEC-8218K Owner’s Manual Counter-Surveillance Monitor Kit
1
INTRODUCTION
General Information: Despite lurid tales of the FBI using electronic olives to
spy on private citizens, most of us feel pretty safe from electronic surveillance in
our homes and offices. But, perhaps we shouldn't! A quick scan of the
electronic hobby magazines reveals an astonishing array of affordable micro-
miniature VHF and UHF transmitters being sold for the sole purpose of
"bugging" private conversations. And now, with the advent of low-cost
microchip video cameras, even our most intimate and private acts are easily
transmitted blocks away and committed to videotape! Who would do such a
thing? Recent news reports suggest heavy-handed prosecutors, angry spouses,
personal or political enemies, dishonest business competitors, internet smut
hucksters, hired sleuths, insurance investigators, criminal sex offenders, and even
curious adolescent snoops--to name only a few! It's not a comforting thought,
but manufacturers are selling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of
inexpensive amateur surveillance products yearly, and somebody out there is
buying this stuff!
The VEC-8218K can help you fight back and reclaim your personal space by
detecting signals from low-power bugging transmitters over a wide frequency
range. Sweep an area, and if a signal is there, you can find its source and
"crunch" the offending bug quickly--before sensitive words and private acts wind
up in the wrong hands! As an added plus, your monitor also checks cellphones,
cordless phones, RC transmitters, and garage-door openers for operation.
Circuitry: The VEC-8218 Counter-Surveillance Monitor consists of a high-
gain wide-band RF amplifier coupled to a RF detector. This drives a sensitive
VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator) that changes in pitch whenever nearby
signals are picked up. The closer you get, the greater the change in pitch from
the speaker--enabling you to move in quickly for the "kill". Sensitivity is
adjustable down to -60 dBm, which ensures detection of even very-low power or
well-hidden bugs.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Construction Area: Kit construction requires a clean, smooth, and well-lighted
area where you can easily organize and handle small parts without losing them.
An inexpensive sheet of white poster board makes an excellent construction
surface, while providing protection for the underlying table or desk. Diffused
overhead lighting is a plus, and a supplemental high-intensity desk lamp is
especially helpful for close-up work. Safety is always important! Use a suitable
high-temperature stand for your soldering iron, and keep the work area free of
clutter.