Remote Laser-Mic Room Monitoring System
Up until now, I have generally focused on radio transmitters for audio surveillance. So this post is about remote audio surveillance using reflected laser beams!
A laser mic audio surveillance system works by sending an invisible laser beam to a window of a room in which conversations are taking place. The sound waves from the conversation cause the windows of the room to vibrate ever so slightly in tune with the voices. A receiver (usually at the same location) will convert the reflected laser beam into sound, where the operator can record the capture sound. All done without even going near the property!
This sophisticated laser mic system conceals the transmitter and receiver kit into standard cameras. The kit then includes filters, lenses, tripods and the amplifier system. The kit is over £10,000 ($20,0000) worth, but it’s interesting to see it on the public market anyway.
I do like the standard camera kit, as that will make positioning the kit with standard accessories considerably easier. However, it’s worth pointing out that only flat glass will reflect the sound correctly, since rippled, grained, etched or multi-laminated glass will not provide a suitable reflecting surface from which to hear the conversations inside the room.
I believe these have been around for many years – though i’m not sure at what cost. I’m inclined to think that it is much cheaper now than it used to be. I do recall reading that some sensitive sites (embassies and such) have white noise generators attached to windows to defeat this kind of bugging.
They’ve been around since the cold war at least. These devices are very simple to defeat, but I was amused to see a full-blown product like this.
20 grand for this? Well, it beats being kept out in the dark. Equipped with this device and a video surveillance camera, I’d probably launch my own PI business. LOL
The practicalities of this device are limited. The opportunities to set up the perfect orientation for the laser are limited 1 in 100. There are far better solutions that are more reliable.
how difficult is it to reflect the beam to a place where it can be catured for use