Creech AFB to get cell phone detectors

Well specifically the 17 recon squadron.

1. SCOPE: Furnish all labor, materials and equipment to install four (4) cell phone detectors in 4 ea offices located in bldg 718, systems to be installed per manufactures instruction. Additional to the installation, the cell phone detectors will be tuned for optimum detection capability, tested to verify operational capability, then certified for use.

LOCATION: The project site is located at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. The Main base is located approximately fifty (50) miles north of Las Vegas on Highway US 95.

2.1 Four cell phone detectors
2.2 Two remote paging devices
2.3 Tune the detectors for optimum detection capability within the designated areas
2.4 Ensure the detectors and remote paging systems are functional
2.5 Provide instructional guide on how to properly operate the system
2.6 Certify the system capability and operational use by the 17RS security office personnel
PERFORMANCE PERIOD: THREE (3) Calendar Days, All work must be completed.
3. SYSTEM PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION:
3.1 Detect at least 90% of all cell phone formats, bands, frequencies, to include CDMA, GSM, IDEN, WCDMA, AMPS, DCS, PCS, TDMA
3.2 Detect registration, voice, polling signals, texting signals, and multiple compressions
3.3 Variable range detection settings for each detector; up to 100 feet in detection range
3.4 Each detectable band/format to have separate variable sensitivity controls
3.5 Detection alert notifications must be sent via coded signal to a remote pocket text silent alert receiver
3.6 Available options to include alerts accomplished via alarm sound, light, or remote paging capability
3.7 Adjustable alarm timer for resetting upon detections
3.8 Wall or desktop mountable detectors
3.9 AC powered with internal rechargeable battery

These cell phone detectors are cropping up all over the place. Schools, prisons, and secure areas. Unfortunately, not in restaurants and movie theatres. I suppose cargo is sniffed for cell phones these days after the toner cartridge bomb event.

The units for Creech are not the Stingray cell phone "pingers" (totally illegal in my opinion, not that my opinion matters). Rather, these are just sniffers. Sniffing CDMA can't be easy given that it is spread spectrum.

reply to post by gariac

That is interesting to know. I used to park my truck a few yards from the brick wall that adjoins their flight line for Predator and Reaper drones. There is a little casino there and the back lot is for trucks...right against the base perimeter wall itself. It made for a couple interesting evenings before going to bed when they were actually doing something to see. I suppose my electronics might trip one of their detectors now, being that close.

I suppose this makes sense after the Manning incident though. It sounds like they want bells to ring the instant a cell phone powers up and sends it's first pings to locate a tower if it's inside the wrong area. I can't say I wouldn't want the same thing if I were working security at a sensitive location.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


wouldn't it have been simpler if they just install cell-phone jammers?

reply to post by Hellhound604


You're using common sense.
But, this is the government we're talking about, which uses none.

Anything can be turned into an incendiary device.
Are we all going to say "that's understandable" when they ban and want to detect everything?

(Off topic, I wish they'd put cell phone jammers in restrooms and movie theaters.)

Jammers technically aren't legal since the transmit. Detectors are passive.

Originally posted by gariac
Jammers technically aren't legal since the transmit. Detectors are passive.

since when has the military cared about things being legal?????

heck, have your AWACS and stealth planes and lots of other military equipment that uses active technology to jam (or retransmit spoofed radar signals) all been approved by the FCC? I think not, lol .....

No. In this case, using a cell phone jammer would not work. I believe they are concerned with people using the camera feature on their fancy schmancy Iphones or Androids to make copies of things they shouldn't.

Just snap a few photos of a computer screen, a document, a blueprint or whatever. It's an easy way to commit espionage without needing to remove anything from the building.

You can turn your phone's transmitters off to avoid detection (airplane mode), take your photos, then leave and upload the photos later.

Perhaps they don't want real time audio/video /messaging leaking out. They certainly haven't locked down gathering intel for transmission later.

Originally posted by allenidaho
No. In this case, using a cell phone jammer would not work. I believe they are concerned with people using the camera feature on their fancy schmancy Iphones or Androids to make copies of things they shouldn't.

Just snap a few photos of a computer screen, a document, a blueprint or whatever. It's an easy way to commit espionage without needing to remove anything from the building.

ahhh ok, but then what about those little spy-cams that you can get? you know, the ones that fits into a button, or into your glasses? that sort of reminds me of the time I worked at a military installation, and I had to hand in my cellphone at security, because it had a camera, but I could take in my SLR, and my laptop, that also has a camera built-in. I sometimes think that some people just cannot think....

You can get specially made smart phones that don't have cameras. Basically for people who have to deal with such security. (The DOE allows blackberries on an approved basis. You need to have a mark on the phone indicating it has been sniffed by the proper authorities.)

I was given a demo of the "keyfob remote" camera that the sell at Frys. Works well. There are a whole series of these made in China digtial cameras. Actually video. Fobs, watches, pens...

Look at it this way. The Chinese need to makes these cameras for all their spies. Might as well sell them on the open market and make some money too.

Some of these devices have a red LED indicating they are recording. Oh, and some don't. ;-)

If you don't have a Fry's, ebay is full of the same gear.

Ever find that it is really a hard thing to find out that someone used cell phone in the places where cell phones are not allowed to be used? If you have such kind of problem, here you can just come and pick up this All Cell Phone Signal Detector, then your problem can be easily removed.
Such kind of cell phone signal detector device can detect the signals of the cell phones within a distance and once it found the signal it can give you an indication so that you can take immediately action to get away from them.

This is for people that try to "sneak" cell phones into controlled areas, i.e. classified work centers or areas that process classified information. They are active on various AF installations world wide. Personally I know a few areas on Nellis that have these installed. They beep and set off an alarm to let the security managers know there is a cell phone turned on in the area. It's nothing new and Verizon/AT&T/insert wireless provider here are already logging your usage anyways. If you don't work in or go in to those areas you don't have to worry about it.