Re: GPS trackers - a potential weapon from hell

zwsdotcom@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Joel Kolstad wrote:

The right countermeasure is a strong beacon on the GPS frequencies.

This is a good way to forefit a very large chunk of change or spend a lot of
time in jail if you're caught; there's enough commercial usage of GPS signals

Not really. Consider the field strength of the satellite signals on the
ground. You only need to keep your jamming signal say 6dB above that
point, within a radius of a few meters. Nobody except perhaps the
vehicle next to you will know. Exactly the same principle as the FM
car-radio-adapter devices used for iPods and such; they are strong
enough to override a local station within your vehicle, but are barely
audible a few meters away.

It's also possible to locate the bug using a passive scanning device,
because it is transmitting position data back home on some uplink
frequency. (I think it's also possible to detect the GPS receiver
itself using similar principles to the TV detector vans used in
Britain). Once located, it can of course be removed and reattached to
any convenient wild animal.

In my current incarnation, I design GPS tracking units with GSM/GPRS
realtime reporting of location (amongst other things).

1. It's difficult enough to get a GPS lock with a clear view of the sky
from inside a vehicle, even just under the dash, let alone under a
vehicle, and that's with an active antenna (they have LNAs embedded in
the antenna) and the latest GSP units.

2. Reporting requires GSM of some description, and if the OP is that
paranoid, simply scan for the known GSM bands. Note GPRS is preferred
over SMS for a number of practical reasons.

3. Jamming the GPS signal is so easy it's hilarious. I do it
inadvertently with extra equipment running on the bench near the
antenna.

4. Location tracking via GSM is somewhat imprecise - in the boonies,
towers may be, and are, miles apart. Although you'll have an idea of
where the GSM unit is, precise location out there is harder to do.

So calm your paranioa :)

Cheers

PeteS

.

Relevant Pages

  • OUR COMPANY PROVIDES SOLUTION FOR VEHICLE TRACKING DEVICES
    ... PT.Elda Sarana Informatika provides solutions for GPS ... devices for vehicles and other telemetry devices based on radio, GSM, ... Experience in building GSM based GPS vehicle tracking devices, ... ESITrack H350S and ESITrack H360S. ...
    (rec.autos.driving)
  • OUR COMPANY PROVIDES SOLUTION FOR VEHICLE TRACKING DEVICES
    ... PT.Elda Sarana Informatika provides solutions for GPS ... devices for vehicles and other telemetry devices based on radio, GSM, ... Experience in building GSM based GPS vehicle tracking devices, ... ESITrack H350S and ESITrack H360S. ...
    (uk.rec.boats.paddle)
  • OUR COMPANY PROVIDES SOLUTION FOR VEHICLE TRACKING DEVICES
    ... PT.Elda Sarana Informatika provides solutions for GPS ... devices for vehicles and other telemetry devices based on radio, GSM, ... Experience in building GSM based GPS vehicle tracking devices, ... ESITrack H350S and ESITrack H360S. ...
    (uk.rec.competitions)
  • Please tell me both Libs and Conservative think THIS is a bad idea..
    ... expected for GPS tracking efforts. ... Zero privacy protections ... the whereabouts of every vehicle on the road. ... One study prepared for the Transportation Department predicts a PR ...
    (rec.sport.pro-wrestling)
  • Re: PocketPC "Server" With No LCD?
    ... >Does anyone make a pocketPC device with no LCD, ... I am interested in this for a potential GPS ... the MLU quietly tracks the exact location of the vehicle. ... Real Time GPS Covert Car Tracking Just Got Easier, ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc)