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AID
Contrary to earlier transmitters like the TX-916 (1994) and
TX-922 (1995),
the PST-1000 features a synthesizer, which means that it no
longer requires the installation of quartz crystals for the configuration
of its channels. Instead, it can be programmed via a
small 4-pin connector.
Audio is transmitted using narrowband FM (F3E).
The device is powered by two standard 9V Alkaline batteries, that are
wired in parallel to give the device an extended 'on-air' time.
With a full battery, it produces an output power of 1 Watt. When the
voltage has sunk to 6V, this is 0.5 W.
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The range of the device can be enhanced, by using an external portable repeater,
such as the LEA 6369, that is carried inconspiculously by someone
in the vicinity, for example in a backpack. The PST-1000 can be programmed with
two channels in the 150-174 MHz band, although in practice these channels should
not be too far apart in order to stay within specification of the the selected
antenna. Two suitable antennas are supplied with the device, and further ones
can be ordered. On special request, the device can also be supplied for the
130-150 MHz or 216-200 MHz band.
PST-1000 was developed around May of 1999 [C] and was first approved
by the FCC on 6 August 1999 [3].
Apparently, a problem later surfaced with respect to
conducted emission, but after modification [5] it was
admitted on 25 November 1999 [4].
Although the PST-1000 was introduced in 1999, it was still listed in the
company's 2019 catalog; no less than 20 years after its inception!
Note that the PST-1000 is also available in a
variety of concealments,
such as a baseball cap, a cigarette pack or a garage door opener.
In addition, it is available as a flying-lead version, which can be
hidden inside any type of concealment by a law enforcement or
intelligence agency [2].
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Tee PST-1000 is housed in a black-finised steel enclosure, which
consists of two parts: (1) the actual transmitter, and (2) the battery
compartment. The device is powered by two 9V batteries that are
installed in the battery compartment, which occupies about 2/3rd
of the enclosure. It can be accessed by pulling the batter case shell
towards the bottom of the device. This leaves us with the bare
transmitter, as shown in the image below. It has two strong
spring-steel clamps (one at either side) that hold the battery cover
in place. The battery terminals are just visible below.
At the top are the ON/OFF switch, an SMA socket for connection of the
atenna – usually a wire – and a 2.5 mm jack socket for connection of the
(hidden) microphone. At the right side are the channel selector (A/B)
and a four-pin socket for channel programming.
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In this video, Reed Ashley shows and demonstrates
several covert surveillance transmitters, including the
PST-1000 featured on this page.
Many thanks to Reed for her kind donation [1].
Source
YouTube:ReversingForFun
Date
24 July 2026
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The actual transmitter is housed in the upper 1/3rd of the enclosure.
It can be accessed by removing six screws from the upper case shell:
two at the front, two at the rear and two at the top, and removing
the nuts from the microphone and antenna sockets. The upper case
shell can now be removed, as shown in the image above. Inside the
device are two printed circuit boards (PCBs).
The upper PCB holds the transmitter, which comprises a 10 MHz
crystal oscillator that is connected to a
National Semiconductor LMX1511 frequency synthesizer.
It is driven by a microcontroller
that is fitted at the bottom side of this PCB. At the far side
is the power amplifier (PA), along with a 4-stage
harmonics filter that suppresses unwanted signals – according to
FCC regulations.
The lower PCB (only partly visible here) contains the power
circuitry. The bottom side of this PCB
is largely unpopulated. In a different version of the device,
this board holds a voice scrambler.
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After receiving this device in August 2026 [1], we did an initial
test to see whether it worked. After installing batteries and turning
it on, it immediately produced a clear signal on the communications
receiver in our workshop. However, we noticed that the signal from
the selected microphone was intermittend; depending on the position
of its cable. It turned out that the cable was broken close to the
jack connector. After shortening the cable, the microphone worked again.
We also re-glued the self-adhesive label at the rear of the device
to prevent it from being lost completely. The model number and the
FCC approval number were still readable, which allowed us to
retrieve additional information from the FCC database.
This information is available below.
No further restoration or repair appreared to be necessary.
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Microphone works intermittendly (wiring problem) Model tag has come off
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- Microphone cable shortened and resoldered to plug
- Model tag fixated and covered by self-adhesive cellotape
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Device Body-wearable surveillance transmitter Purpose Covert overhearing of conversations Model PST-1000 BW Catalog 95098 Manufacturer LEA-AID Year 1999 Country USA Predecessor TX-922 Frequency 150-174 MHz 1 Channels 2 (A, B) 2 Waveform Narrowband FM Output 1000 mW (1 W) Separation RX/TX: 4.5 ≤ fdiff ≤ 10 [MHz] Microphone Electret (external) Antenna ¼λ flexible wire with SMA connector Programming Via 4-pin connector Spacing 2.5 kHz (9601 possible channels) Stability ± 2 ppm Harmonics > 47 dBc Scrambler Optional Approval FCC ID: B348PRPST1000 (1999-08-06) [3][4] Power 9 V/DC (2 × wired in parallel) Dimensions HWD: 95 × 58 × 18 mm Weight 70 g (without batteries) Price USD 1,495 (2019) [2]
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On special order: 130-150 MHz or 216-200 MHz.
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The device featured here, is programmed for (A) 165.5375 MHz and (B) 152.275 MHz.
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| | Model | Catalog | Description | Price 1 |
| • | PST-1000 FL | 95081 | Flying-lead version | USD 1,595 |
| • | PST-1000 BW | 95098 | Body-wearable version | USD 1,495 |
| • | PST-1000 CP | 95072-1000 | In cigarette pack concealment | USD 1,495 |
| • | PST-1000 BC | 97118-1000 | Baseball cap with miniature transmitter 2 | USD 1,595 |
| • | PST-1000 ?? | 97144-1000 | Bare transmitter 2 (as in 97118-1000) | USD 1,495 |
| • | PST-1000 ?? | 95196-1000 | In garage door opener concealment 3 | USD 1,495 |
| • | 7178 | 97178 | With integrated digital audio recorder | USD 2,895 |
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Price taken from the 2019 catalog [2].
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The miniature transmitter is a PST-1000 without battery compartment.
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Does not function as a garage door opener.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 30 August 2026. Last changed: Monday, 31 August 2026 - 20:44 CET.
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