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CIA FBI AID TX-916 →
The system operated in the VHF-H radio band, using frequencies
between 150 and 174 MHz. 1 The receiver can be propgrammed freely within
this range in 2.5 kHz steps, while the
covert body transmitter operates
on a fixed crystal-determined spot frequency. As the kit was used to
gather evidence in criminal investigations, the conversation could be
recorded with the built-in Marantz PMD201 audio cassette recorder.
The image on the right shows the complete kit, which is housed in a
Halliburton briefcase, of which the lid contains the
concealed antenna.
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As a countermeasure against eavesdropping, the body transmitter
has a built-in scrambler and the receiver has a compatible descrambler.
As the scrambler is based on
inversion of the audio spectrum —
which is easily circumvented — it only offers basic protection against an
occasional (unintended) eavesdropper, but not against a professional interceptor.
In the US, law enforcement and intelligce personnel from CIA, FBI
and Police, were trained on this equipment at the National Intelligence Academy
(NIA) — at the time AID's in-house training centre in Fort Lauderdale.
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135-150 MHz by special request.
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Below is an overview of the complete surveillance kit as supplied in
the briefcase. At the front left are the power circuits
and the built-in digital receiver, which is basically the
separately available RX-1000 in a different enclosure.
The case lid holds the antenna
for the receiver.
It must be connected to the base unit after opening the lid. For evidence gathering,
the conversation could be recorded on the
Marantz PMD201 cassette recorder
which is mounted on top of the base unit.
All accessories and spare parts are stowed in the
compartment at the right,
including the body-wearable transmitter and a selection of
concealable microphones and antennas. Although the receiver can be
programmed to any frequency in the 150-174 MHz band (in 2.5 kHz steps),
the body transmitter works on a single predetermined spot frequency.
The unit can be powered by internal rechargeable batteries, by an
external 12V DC source, such as the battery of a car, or directly
from the 115 or 230V AC mains. This allows quick deployment of
the system.
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The received conversation could be recorded onto a magnetic tape
compact cassette
by means of the Marantz PMD201 cassette recorder [E] that is mounted on top
of the receiver.
The device is connected directly to the receiver and can be configured
in such a way that it automatically starts recording as soon as the signal
from the body transmitter is picked up.
➤ Operating instructions
➤ Service documentation
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The Unitel 225 intelligence kit was supplied with a body worn transmitter
model TX-715, TX-716 or TX-916.
It was intended for concealment under the
agent's clothing in covert operations.
The kit shown here came with the
TX-916 transmitter, which has a
built-in scrambler and an output power of 1W. It transmits at a
predetermined spot frequency in the 150-174 MHz frequency band,
controlled by a quartz crystal.
➤ More information
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The Unitel 225 came with a
range of accessories and spares, such as a
body transmitter, covert microphones, wire antenna, spare batteries,
spare fuses, mains power cable and a 12V DC cable for powering the
receiver from the cigarette lighter socket in a car.
The accessories are stowed in the right half of the bottom case shell,
which allows quick deploiment during a covert operation.
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The kit was supplied with two A5-size booklets with operating instructions
for the complete kit and for the body transmitter respectively.
The manuals are available for download below.
The operating instructions are sometimes stowed inside the case lid as shown
in the image on the right. The list also contains the primary antenna and
short form instructions.
➤ Unitel 225 manual
➤ TX-916 body transmitter manual
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The entire intelligence kit — basically a portable Listening Post (LP) —
is mounted inside the bottom half of a Halliburton briefcase with outer
dimensions 460 × 350 × 165 mm. The electronics are covered by a grey
aluminium panel. The Marantz cassette recorder is mounted at the top.
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The receiver can be accessed by first removing the Marantz cassette recoder
and then opening the access panel below it.
It is mainly used for accessing the
descrambler plug-in board.
It reveals the
receiver printed circuit board (PCB)
– shown in the image on the right –
which is nearly identical to that of the AID RX-1000 receiver.
The differences with the RX-1000 are that the mains transformer
and the synthesizer are not mounted on the PCB but elsewhere in the case.
This was done to reduce the overall height of the reveiver and align
the controls with the panel.
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To access the mains PSU, the synthesizer and the internal rechargeable
batteries, the entire panel must be removed from the briefcase. This is done
by removing six bolts from the edges of the panel. After this, the
panel can be raised, whilst the
accessory compartment remains in place.
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At the centre of the raised panel is the receiver, which is housed
in a metal enclosure. To the left of this enclosure are the additional parts,
such as the mains transformer, the synthesizer and the speaker, as shown
in the image on the right.
When accessing this part of the device, ensure that the
power cord is disconnected from the mains, as some parts carry a
lethal voltage.
The rechargeable batteries are located at the bottom of the lower case shell.
They consist of two series-connected grey 6V gel batteries with an
in-line fuse in the middle for extra safety.
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The batteries are held in place by pre-shaped
foam compartments, with
another layer of foam on top.
Based on date codes on the various internal parts and a written date on
the rechargeable batteries, it seems likely that the device shown here
was manufactured around October 1997.
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WARNING —
Before opening the device, ensure that it is disconnected from the mains.
Some internal components carry a live voltage that is potential lethal.
Always remove the mains cord completely before opening the cover.
With a device of this age — it was more than 25 years old when we received it —
it is always wise to check it thoroughly before connecting it to the mains.
As the device had previously been used in the US it was configured for
115V AC. Before connecting it to the mains network in continental Europe,
it first had to be set to 230V. Luckily this is simple as the selector is at
the control panel.
After turning it on, it worked immediately with no serious problems. It was
noted that the internal batteries did not hold their charge, but this was
anticipated. It is unlikely that batteries of this age (1997) will still hold
any charge at all. Although gel batteries generally do not leak, we decided
to remove them. They can always be replace by a fresh set later.
After powering up the TX-916 body transmitter,
it's signal was picked up instantly by the built-in receiver.
The quality of the sound is still very good.
The only remaining problem at the moment is the Marantz cassette deck.
Although it is well-preserved, the three internal belts are completely worn-out
and have to be replaced.
To be continued...
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- Cassette recorder doesn't run (belts worn out)
Compact cassette missing - Rechargeable batteries dead
- Antenna cable foam missing
Mains cable for continental Europe missing
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- Exterior cleaned
- Interior cleaned
- Rechargeable batteries removed
- Continental mains cable added
- New C60 compact cassette added
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Device Surveillance kit Purpose Evidence gathering and radio monitoring Model Unitel 225 Catalog 94567 Manufacturer Audio Intelligence Devices (AID) Users CIA, FBI, Police, etc. Year(s) 1994-2000 (est.) Band VHF-H Frequency 150-174 MHz Spacing 2.5 kHz Modulation Narrow-band FM Recorder Marantz PMD201 (or PMD221) Transmitter TX-715, TX-716 or TX-916 Mains 110-120 V/AC or 220-230V/AC 50/60Hz (switch selectable) Battery Internal (see below) External 12V/DC (e.g. car battery) Dimensions 460 × 350 × 165 mm Weight 10 kg
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- 2 × A 506 6.5S
6V/6.5 Ah
Sonnenschein A500
07895465
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- Unitel 225 - Operating Instructions
Westinghouse, Audio Intelligence Devices, Inc.
90035-17/0910811. Rev. 3, November 1996.
- TX-716 / TX-916 - Operating Instructions
Westinghouse, Audio Intelligence Devices, Inc.
90035-18/G109107. Rev. 2, January 1996.
- BXR-2202 - Operating Instructions
Westinghouse, Audio Intelligence Devices, Inc.
90031-17/G920707. Rev. 2, April 1996.
- The Use of Cigarette Lighter Receptacles as a Voltage Source...
Westinghouse, Audio Intelligence Devices, Inc.
90033-07/G920807. Rev. 1, June 1997.
- Model PMD201/PMD221 Owner's Manual
Marantz. Undated.
- Marantz PMD201/221 Service Manual
4822 725 50867. Undated.
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