Re: [off-topic] roving wiretaps

At 11:58 AM 8/2/96 +0000, you wrote:
>>P.S.  Do police really need a search warrant to wiretap cellular phones?
>
>It is my understanding that police need a warrant to tap *cellular* 
>phones, but not *wireless* phones.
>
>One should understand that monitoring cellular traffic is *much* more 
>difficult than tapping a conventional phone, because as the user 
>moves around in the service area the phone switches to different 
>repeaters, often several times during a conversation.

I'd have to disagree on that point.  Monitoring cellular traffic requires
nothing more than a cellular phone, and some software which enables
you to follow calls through the cells, for a total cost of about $500. 
This is exceptionally trivial with an Oki 900 and a ctek cable (which 
interfaces the fone with the computer).  
With this software you can monitor individual cells, choosing to "lock
on" to a call made from a specific number, or to a specific number.  You
can follow calls, and record any dtmf digits.  Also the caller will never 
be made aware that he/she is being listened to.  
A sophisticated land line wiretap that will not be detectable by the 
average citizen will cost well over $500, plus you have to install it 
without the target knowing, etc.  
//cerridwyn//

>>>>> Cerridwyn Llewyellyn <ceridwyn@wolfenet.com> writes:

  >> One should understand that monitoring cellular traffic is *much*
  >> more difficult than tapping a conventional phone...

  > I'd have to disagree on that point.  Monitoring cellular traffic
  > requires nothing more than a cellular phone, and some software
  > which enables you to follow calls through the cells, for a total
  > cost of about $500...

Agreed.  I know that this capability was available to organisations at
the level of the State Police over ten years ago, and has long been
available to anyone with a credit card and the ability to read the
adverts in the back of _Police Chief_ magazine...

-- 
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Coelacanth Engineering        consulting & turnkey product development
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> >>>>> Cerridwyn Llewyellyn <ceridwyn@wolfenet.com> writes:
> 
>   >> One should understand that monitoring cellular traffic is *much*
>   >> more difficult than tapping a conventional phone...
> 
>   > I'd have to disagree on that point.  Monitoring cellular traffic
>   > requires nothing more than a cellular phone, and some software
>   > which enables you to follow calls through the cells, for a total
>   > cost of about $500...
> 

	So, it is MUCH more difficult, or at least more expensive; anyone 
can get a beige box for less than US $10, right? And clipping it onto 
MaBell boxes takes less of a brain than programming or modifying a 
scanner or a cellular phone.   :)

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/____________\   Carlos L. Mariscal