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APPLICATIONS
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the following:
WIRELESS
SECURITY
HAM RADIO-HOBBY
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE & SECURITY
WIRELESS APPLICATIONS
The Zap Checker products are
a new type of radio frequency field-strength meter which provides
extraordinary sensitivity and extended bandwidth in a high-quality,
handheld instrument. This makes them ideal for use in the installation
of all wireless devices-particularly wireless computers and network
systems, wireless data transmitters and wireless cameras and
security devices.
The wide bandwidths of the Zap Checker products enables them to be used
for computer wireless installations and maintenance (802.11 a, b, g,
WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, etc.) The extraordinary sensitivity of these
devices make them Super WiFi Sniffers. They are particularly good for
optimizing hub and satellite sites, - making sure the radio links are
strong, both for transmitting and receiving signals . They help to align
and aim wireless antennas, avoid Hot and Cold RF signal areas, detect
and locate causes of Radio Frequencies Interference (RFI), contain network
wireless signals solely to intended areas (avoiding potential hacker
sites) and to use shielding and different antennas to restrict the unsecured
spread of wireless information.
These products make it easier to install all types of wireless products
including surveillance camera, intruder and fire detectors, and environmental
monitoring equipment. The Zap Checkers measure to the baseline, ambient
signal levels and insure that the wireless signals are stronger than
noise levels, - strong enough to avoid intermittent fading problems.
They help to aim and align wireless antennas and also check for signal
leakage along cables and wires.
A wireless installation does not need to be a “blind” chore.
You can not see the radio waves, but you can certainly measure them and
get a feeling of their strength with a Zap Checker!
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SECURITY - TSCM
MODERN TSCM –
SECURITY DETECTION
Covert devices have become considerably more
sophisticated in the last few years. It is common now to
deal with 5.8 GHz, 4.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 2.4 GHz and 1.2 GHz devices
with just a few milliwatts of power. These devices may also only
transmit occasionally in sudden bursts. Even cell phones and wireless
phones can now be used as covert devices. Cell phones with
cameras can transmit images as well as audio at digital
signal rates. These digital signals are quite difficult to detect
with the older TSCM equipment.
The up to date TSCM investigator has the responsibility of protecting
his clients by employing the latest and most sensitive instruments in
the search for covert devices. It was with these needs in mind that the
ABC 126 was designed and developed (in later 2005) specifically for state
of the art TSCM detection.
The hand - held, portable ABC 126 is a TSCM device with extraordinarally
high sensitivity (even at the higher frequencies) to detect transmitting
sources to beyond 14 GHz. This high sensitivity enables the detection
of microwatt to milliwatt bugs from 8 - 20+ feet away, - often eliminating
the need for close - in sweeps.
The ABC 126 can either employ its internal, fixed antennas
or- external antennas connected to its SMA coaxial input. The external
antennas supply directionality and frequency specificity to the search
to detect and pinpoint covert devices from several feet away. Yes, it
is now possible to “SWEEP A ROOM FROM THE DOOR”.
To further increase sensitivity in the higher frequency bands, the ABC
126 employs a multistage high band - pass filtering system. It is obvious
when using a spectrum analyzer that the great majority of RF signals
that make up background “noise” are below 1.5 GHz. These
signals come from AM, FM and TV broadcasts as well as utility, fire,
police, aircraft, marine and construction radio-services (all below 1.5
GHz). By eliminating competing signals from the lower frequencies, the
high frequency signals can be detected by themselves at extraordinary-high
sensitivity. Increased sensitivity is the name of the game for counter-surveillance
detection of weak covert signals. Such high sensitivity across a wide
swath of frequencies insures comprehensive detection of even the weakest
transmitting devices.
Another unique feature of the ABC 126 is the ability to monitor its meter
measurements and audio outputs from distance via a mini – USB connector.
A simple four wire cable connects the instrument with a central monitoring
site. The ABC 126 can be placed several hundred feet from the monitoring
site. It is also possible to use the monitored output to switch ON or
OFF other equipment such as a video recorder or security alarm. The same
USB connector can also be used to supply power to the ABC 126 to eliminates
the need for replacing batteries.
The Digital/Analog signal differentiator is a feature of the ABC 126
that allows the enhanced detection of digital signals (such as from cell
phones, digital covert devices and computer wireless data). These signals
are missed or poorly detected with the usual detection circuitry. The
peak-type-detector of the ABC 126 enables these digital signals to be
easily detected and measured. It also can be used for the detection of
sudden bursts or pulses of RF transmissions.
The ABC 126 detects AM signals and gives identifying characteristics
sounds to FM and other transmissions using the AM audio mode. A voltage
controlled oscillator (VCO) controlled by the detected signal level also
gives an audio indication of the signal strength by a change in audio
pitch. A slight shift in pitch is often more apparent than a small change
in the meter reading.
The ABC 126 was designed as a portable, handy, first line detection apparatus
for the initial detection and pinpointing of covert signals. It is a
quality instrument that is easy to use, easy to carry and provides accurate,
comprehensive results.
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HAM RADIO-HOBBY APPLICATIONS
Zap Checker products are
new types of RF field strength meters - like using a wide
band receiver with an S meter for your band of choice. They
span from AM radio frequencies, through HF, VHF and UHF
frequencies up into the microwave bands. These products
differ from conventional RF meters using Schottky-diode
detectors by employing multistage RF amplification and amplified
detection circuitry with linear and logarithmic responses.
This makes the Zap Checker products hundreds of times more
sensitive than the earlier diode detecting devices. There
IS a difference between a crystal radio and a multistage,
RF amplified receiver!
Think of what you can do with such a sensitive wideband, handheld instrument.
It becomes possible to tune-up your whole rig from transmitter to antenna-
in the far field- whether you are putting out a few milliwatts or a kilowatt.
You can prune your antenna to your exact frequency, measure antenna patterns
(directly in dB using the log mode), measure antenna front to back ratios,
check for cable leakage, locate shielding and grounding problems and
detect and pinpoint causes of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI).
I regularly use Zap Checkers to indicate whether my intended amplifier
circuits turn out to be oscillators instead.
This is a very handy device to use during hidden-transmitter “fox
hunts”. The transmitter can be detected from a distance in LINEAR
and MID modes. Then the source can be pinpointed precisely using the
LOG mode (which has a 60 dB dynamic range and will not overload as the
transmitter is approached.)
Since the transmitting signal is dropping off exponentially, and the
Zap Checker is amplifying logarithmically, the meter reading increases
linearly as we linearly approach the source. If the signal level is dropping
as you travel in a direction – then you are traveling away from
the transmitter. If the signal is increasing maximally - then you are
directly on beam - traveling towards the source. You can pinpoint the
source in LOG mode since the 60dB dynamic detection range allows you
to virtually hover over the transmitter without overloading the Zap checker
measuring capacity.
Those Zap Checkers with SMA-connector-RF-inputs are quite handy as well.
Using SMA to BNC and N-type adaptors you can use them to align antennas,
check antenna sensitivity, and measure small signals in receiver and
transmitter circuits.
Please be careful not to exceed an RF input of more then O dBm to the
SMA connector - otherwise you might “ZAP” the Zap Checker
and void the warranty.
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AIRCRAFT SECURITY IN FLIGHT & MAINTENANCE
The small, lightweight Zap Checker
products are ideal as security instruments to be used during
commercial flights. When the stewardess asks passengers
to turn–off their electronic devices – it is
for a good reason. These devices do transmit a variety
of potential interfering signals which can disrupt aircraft
navigation and communication. Interfering transmissions
can originate from practically any electronic devices,
including cell phones, laptop computers, PDAs, digital
cameras, radio or TV receivers, tranceivers, walkie talkies
and electronic games.
The broadband, super sensitive Zap Checker products are excellent for
detecting interfering transmission from any of these devices – from
the far end of the flight cabin. Not only do the Zap Checker products
readily detect potentially interfering signals – but they also
are able to pinpoint the source of those signals and demonstrate a potentially
harmful transmission to a doubting passenger.
Zap Checker products have unique features to them making them particularly
ideal for aircraft security applications. They can detect Radio Frequency
signals from 1MHz up to 12+GHz – spanning the entire spectrum
of potentially harmful errant transmissions. They are extraordinary sensitive
instruments which detect the weakest signals at far distances. They have
a Digital as well as an Analog detection mode to particularly pick up
digital signals from cell phones, laptops, and PDAs. They also have logarithmic
detection to pinpoint the offending signal source without overwhelming
the instruments measuring capabilities. They are small and lightweight
and have a particularly long battery life using just 2AA batteries. Especially
important is the fact that the Zap Checker products are completely passive,
non–transmitting devices themselves–and they are simple and
easy to use.
We have received reports from ground crews that they also find Zap Checkers
particularly helpful in their work. The small Zap Checkers can be passed
through aircraft tunnels and placed in poorly – accessible areas
to detect cable leakage and radiating problems. They are especially good
for detecting Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), crosstalk and interference
from other in–flight instrumentation. They measure transmitting
and radiating patterns from aircraft antennas, as well as polarization
effects and help to tune-up aircraft transmitters from long distances
where they do not cause detuning effects. The Zap Checkers also are particularly
helpful in discovering oscillating signal sources in circuits and instrumentation
that should not be transmitting any signals.
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