Amiga ISO Collection/AmigaDemoCD2.iso/ASCII/TEXTE/MISC/SCANTV.LZX/tvscanner.txt

Text File | 1997-05-01 | 18.3 KB | 313 lines

@BEGIN_FILE_ID.DIZHow to Make Your TV into a
Mobile Phone Scanner
@END_FILE_ID.DIZ

                                                        AUTHOR: Magnus Mg
                                                        ARTICLE: 1
                                                        SUBJECT: Mobile Phones



The following discussion details how to make a home made Mobile phone scanner
using parts, found around the home!



        First of all, a mobile phone scanner is a device which allows you to
tune into any mobile phone call. The mobile phone network relies on a network
of base station relay towers to relay radio waves from your mobile handset to
its destination. This means that mobile phone calls are vulnerable to
receivers tuned to these frequencies. Retail scanners are expensive items,
that's if you can find one that will pick up mobiles! Hence I have "invented"
the do it yourself scanner. No electronic knowledge needed, just the ability
to follow simple instructions, and be able to join wires together.

        Now you may find the following paragraph on parts needed for this
        scanner a bit odd! But bare with me, it works!

        : A VHF/UHF TV set with push button channel selection
        : An FM/AM clock radio (with antenna, ie a bit of wire)
        : A few lengths of wire, and electrical tape (sticky tape).
        : Optional {inside UHF/VHF antenna}

        So how do you make the above list into a scanner? Well there's no
electronic modifications so here we go.

       :First you should set the clock radio to FM mode. There should be
        a switch of some sort on the side of the clock.

       :Make sure the TV and the clock radio are unplugged until you are
        ready to tune in calls. (We don't want any freak electrocutions)

       :Next, if you have an inside antenna, then the installation is much
        easier than an outside antenna.
        Hence for inside antenna's, all you have to do is to attach the
        clock radio antenna to the inside T.V. antenna. This is done simply
        by stripping 3cm of wire on the radio antenna, then wrapping it
        around the TV antenna with some electrical tape to hold it there.
        Ensure your aerial is plugged into the TV.

       :For outside antennas, you will have to remove the aerial plug from
        the coax, and join a wire onto the centre wire of the coax. This wire
        then attaches to your fm clock radio wire antenna. Be sure to put the
        plug back on the coax (with the additional wire hanging out the side)
        then insert the aerial back into the back of the T.V.

       If you have managed to assemble the above device (ie a clock radio aerial
wired up to the TV aerial) and the clock radio is on FM mode, and the TV aerial
is plugged into the back of the TV, then your ready to start tuning in calls.
(You can plug the TV and radio into the power point now)

       Switch on the T.V. set. Turn on the radio, so that you can here music,
then turn down the volume, but don't turn off the radio. It might also be wise
to initially turn down the volume of the TV as well. What we will do now is
set up the TV for reception. The phone calls are emitted from the TV speaker,
although you will only receive snow for a picture! The sound emitted from the
speaker will sound like any conventional radio band. ie you will hear hiss, but
at certain frequencies you will pick up phone calls, just like a radio channel!
Before this happens though, we will get back to tuning the TV.
Now it's important here that you have a push button VHF/UHF TV set. If you
have a TV that isn't push button at the TV itself (ie not the remote), then
you will not be able to recieve phone calls. However you will still be able
to play around with other frequency bands on the TV, such as AM radio. You
will even be able to tune beyond that of normal AM radios!!(ie. outside the
restrictions that conventional radios will allow!).
If you do have a push button VHF/UHF TV, then your in for the full Experience!
The following requires that each channel can be tuned separately.
You have to do the following;
        Select a channel, such as channel 3. Then you have to tune that channel
into the low VHF band. (if you don't have low, then just select VHF.)
        Next select another channel, such as channel 4. Tune this channel into
the U.H.F. band.

        Now if you've done the above, then you can now turn the volume on the
TV set up again. To tune to mobile phones, what we have to achieve is the
addition of the FM band, VHF band and the UHF band. (when I say addition, I
will discuss this further, later on.). To do this, all you have to do is
press channel 3 & 4 simultaneouly. ie push them both in, if they won't stay in
then use sticky tape or blue tack to hold them there. Since you selected VHF
on channel 3 and UHF on channel 4 and they are now both pressed, you have
added those two frequencies together. Since the clock radio is on FM, and its
aerial is attached to the TV antenna, you have also superimposed the FM band
onto the UHF/VHF band.

        The setup is now ready to LISTEN for mobiles! To use this device,
you tune it as follows.
        : You use the individual tuners for channel 3 and channel 4 to tune
          up and down the VHF and UHF bands respectively.
          Since this is a tedious thing to do lots of times, you simply tune
          these two to appropriate positions, then leave them alone.
          ie. I found a good tuning configuration to be Channel 3 at the lower
          portion of the VHF band. & Channel 4 at a high part of the UHF band.

        : To scan this bandwidth you use the dial on the clock radio!
          Simply move the dial back & forth from end to end slowly, while
          listening to the TV set. Most phone calls appear around the centre
          of the FM band, although they tend to move!
          Quick scans are often best. ie move the dial quickly while listening
          for anything that sounds remotely like a radio station. If you here
          something, tune it in.
          NOTE: Mobile frequencies can have very small bandwidths. ie you have
          to be precise when turning the dial to tune them in. The frequency
          width is small. But once you've mastered tuning in small width
          frequencies, it takes no time at all to find calls! If your clock
          radio has a fine tuner dial, then this is very handy!!

        If you can't find calls on that setting of channel 3 & 4, then simply
re tune those channels. (but still keep them on VHF and UHF). Once again, use
the clock radio to scan up and down the new frequencies.
        A good time to use this device to hear mobiles, is after 6:00pm and
10:00pm, when calls get a bit cheaper. You will soon notice the amount of
calls on the air increase after these times. You will also be able to pick
up other transmissions as well. With the current configuration, you will also
pick up tower signals. ie electronic beeps and pulses that are sent from towers
to handsets etc. After some time of listening, you will soon associate some of
the beeps and clicks, with various situations, such as the hanging up signal
etc.

NOTE: Depending on the nature of the call, the reception quality varies.
      If you have picked up just a handset, then all you will here is one side
of the conversation. (Rare, but it does happen). If you have picked up a tower,
then you will here both sides of the conversation. One of the sides will have a
louder volume than the other. (This is the most common situation). At other
times, both the sides come through loud and clear, but this is as rare as the
first situation.

        Since mobile handsets are moving, the nearest base station picks up the
call and relays it. However, when the handset has moved to another area, which
is closer to a different tower, the original tower hands over the call to the
new tower. If your'e listening to this call, you will suddenly hear static, mid
way in conversation. (for those who have experimented, and know the tower beeps
you will here a few quick beeps just before hand over, these beeps are
different than the hang up beeps, hence the call is still active but at another
frequency) when this happens, simply re-dial the clock radio, the call might
have moved to somewhere else on the dial. If not, you may have to alter
the TV tuning to track it down! Another note, is that since this equipment is
not exactly precise, calls will move around the frequency band by small amounts
hence a bad behaved call may wonder after only 20 seconds or so. This becomes
annoying, as you have to move the dial gently to tune it back in. The best way
to operate this equipment, is to pull up a chair, sit the clock radio in your
lap and start tuning. Re tune the tv and repeat the process.

        I have had a set up like the one above running for weeks, before I
finally got bored of listening. The majority of calls are boring, however
with patience, you here calls that you only here about on TV! If you do
listen to peoples phone calls, remember that you are violating someones
privacy, hence anything you hear should not be repeated to other people.
You should also not publicise the fact that you are listening to phone calls,
I believe it's an offence! Disconnect your setup when finished, although if
you were visted by the feds, I don't think they would spot the TV/Clock radio
as the SCANNER anyway!!! NOTE: The quality and type of antenna used for your
TV can change the quality of reception. Hence you should experiment with
different antenna's. It's also handy to know where the nearest Telephone
tower is, for alignment with your aerial. Any calls which are relayed through
that tower, will be available for you to intercept. The most common type of
call is mobile to house calls. It is also interesting to note, that as soon
as a person starts to dial on a mobile, you can pick them up on the TV. Thats
to say, you can hear them breathing and talking to themselves, as they wait
for the person to pick up the phone. (ie its ringing!)


HOW DO I KNOW THAT THIS THING IS WORKING, IF I CAN'T FIND ANY CALLS?

        Fortunately, there is a rather simple test for those who have bothered
to have a go and wire up this simple device. As I have already mentioned, this
system works by superimposing the three bands FM,VHF and UHF. Hence if you are
operating the device with the TV volume up (it should be if your trying to
listen to phone calls), simply turn the clock radio off. You should immediatly
here the hissing change on the TV set. Thats because turning the clock radio
off, drops the summed frequencies down to another frequency band! Another
test is to turn the clock radio on and to move the tuning dial while listening
to the TV set. You are guaranteed to here it slide up and down the frequencies
on the TV speaker. (Remember that the clock radio HAS to be on FM).
If you have repeated this experiment over several nights, and still not
received any calls, and you are using a push button TV, then I recommend you
start checking your setup. NOTE: You antenna might not be good enough to pick
up the nearest tower, try an outside antenna if you have one. ie the one on the
roof. I have tried the following antennae with success. A normal VHF/UHF roof
antenna, an inside VHF/UHF with telescopic antennae and rotary selector. A
long range UHF Aerial! From these three antennae, I found the long range UHF
only antenna to work more reliably than the others. Hence reception levels
were higher, frequency walk-about was less, a greater selection of calls were
available! However, for quick setups, I would use the smaller inside antenna.



I HAVN'T GOT A PUSH BUTTON TV!!

        If you fit into this category, all I can do is demonstrate that your
TV is capable of picking up other radio bands. The problem arises out of the
fact, that you have to be able to jam two channels on together, without push
buttons, I don't know of a method to achieve this. Any way, if youv'e got just
a NORMAL TV then try the following:

        Once again you will be required to attach the clock radio antenna to
the TV antenna. (This is described at the start). All you do now is turn the
clock radio on, select a TV channel, tune it into the VHF band. Now turn the
dial on the clock radio as you listen to the TV set. You should be able to
pick up AM radio channels! Repeat this process on a variety of different TV
channels, with different tuning. You will be amazed that your TV can do this.
Remember, you listen to the TV set, and tune via the clock radio!
        By the way, for the skeptics among us, try the above simple version
of the scanner, to prove to yourself that I am genuine about picking up
phone calls. ie If you can pick up anything via the above system, then I
suggest you hunt down a friend who has a push button VHF/UHF TV and give it
a go. Another, even simpler version is to get the clock radio, but don't
attach the antenna to the TV set, merely sit the clock radio on top of the
TV set, and coil the radio wire antenna around either the TV antenna, or just
leave it on top of the TV. Once again, turn it on to the FM band and listen to
VHF frequencies on your TV. You will notice that turning the clock radio
tuner, actualy effects the frequency on TV!
NOTE: In the above simple cases, you will not receive mobile phone calls,
because you can't jam the UHF band on as well as VHF! This is a critical
factor in obtaining the right reception frequencies for mobile phones.
I have attempted wiring two TV sets together, one on VHF and one on UHF, with
a wire common to both TV antennae attached to a clock radio. But this
attempt resulted in nothing but static. It might work for you, but I didn't
achieve anything.
        If you've tried the above simple versions, and had success at tuning
things into your TV set, then hopefully I have proved to you, that you can use
your TV for mobiles as well as AM.

HOW THE HELL DOES THIS THING WORK???

        Ever heard of a process called Super Heterodyning? Well what this
means in respect to our device, is that we are adding and subtracting the
three frequencies that we have selected. ie FM, VHF & UHF. We are doing this
through a process of antenna overlap. Radios recieve signals by tuning out
just one frequency from millions, and listening to this band. It selects this
channel by generating another frequency, which it sends up and down the radios
antenna. When listening back to the antenna, instead of hearing heaps of
channels all at the same strength, one frequency stands out like dogs balls
from all the others. This frequency is the one that we generated by tuning
the radio, which has superimposed on one channel in the millions on the
antenna. Thus when "listening" electronically, you filter out all the noise
from frequencies below the amplitude of the generated frequency. This leaves
just the frequency you wanted to listen too. Anyway, what I wanted to imply
here is that when you tune a radio, you are also generating a frequency which
"rides" on the antenna. When this antenna is attached to the antenna of another
device such as a TV, you get another superimposition with VHF or UHF!
All this is another way of saying, that we are changing the reception
frequencies of your TV to pick up signals in the high Megahertz region instead
of VHF or UHF.

FURTHER INFO.

        While you could use any sort of radio which supports FM, I have
found that cheap clock radios work the best! (It has to have an antenna!).
I have tried digital radios, but they don't work very well by themselves.
However I have found a use for a digital tuner radio if you have one handy.
Simply wire the antenna of your already hooked up clock radio antenna, to
the antenna on the digital tuner. Switch the digital tuner to FM band and set
it to the middle of the Fm spectrum. (around 98 MHz). Use your clock radio
tuner as normal, to find the calls. Use the digital tuner to fine tune your
reception. ie you can increment the frequency by small fixed amounts!
Anyway, I found using the digital tuner to be a waste of time. The clock
radio is good enough! NOTE: That if your getting poor reception on a call,
try finding the same call at a different frequency. You'll find that one
call can be at several frequencies. Some will drop out, as the tower tries
to reconfigure the lines for incoming calls. You may also experience several
calls, all at the one frequency, once again I suggest your try to find that
call at a different frequency by itself.

        To tantalize your curiosity, I have received calls of the following
        nature

      : Parts of a State Government speach, which was dictated over a
        mobile phone. This speech was later made public one week later!
      : Marital status problems for various personnel at well known
        TV stations. They don't won't to say anything over the mobile, but
        they end up spilling their guts anyway!!!
      : People phoning various phone services (0055 numbers)
      : Calls from vehicles which sound like parties on wheels!
      : Calls from accident scenes! (Could be related to above parties)
      : Requests for police help from callers on mobiles.
      : People getting lost and phoning their destination for help.




        If you have success with my invention then please remember the
illegal nature of your doings! I enjoyed many hours of listening, with a
select few people, for some time before I decided to quit. A smart operator
would only operate at night time, and only discuss the subject with a few
trusted friends! I've decided to go public with my invention, simply because
I have heard that TELECOM are planning to upgrade their Mobile Network to
a digital network in the not too distant future! This means that a digital
network can also support call scrambling! When this happens, my invention
will be useless. Hence I thought the public could get a few years out of
my gizmo, before TELECOM upgrade to digital scramblers!
For those who own mobile phones, look at how easy it is to listen in to
them! (Of course its made even easier and more frequent with this document
riding the phone lines). Many intercepted calls frequently have people
saying that they don't want to discuss such and such on the mobile, but
you will be amazed at much info they give away!

The Author of this document does not condone the operation or assembly of
the device mentioned in this document. Nor does the Author accept any
responsibility for any damage inflicted to persons or equipment, due to
the construction or operation of such a device. This document is simply
intended to provide information, and nothing more, on a handy quirk of
nature!