Technical Installations in Undercover Vehicles

This one-week course teaches students how to install concealed audio, video and RF equipment in undercover vehicles. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to apply their knowledge of technical surveillance exclusively to vehicles used in sensitive undercover investigations.

The course covers concealment and operation of miniature microphones, RF transmitters, video cameras, infrared illuminators, and disguised antennas. To provide maximum value to PLE Security & Investigations clients, each student is encouraged to bring to class a suitable undercover vehicle (e.g., car or van) and small board cameras. Each student will then be able to make installations in a vehicle that can be used immediately in his/her department operations—thus providing the department with a ready-equipped vehicle and a trained technician who can make future covert vehicle installations.

Students will acquire a wide variety of special technical skills. In particular, each student will become thoroughly familiar with automotive wiring systems; splitters and cable runs; electronic ignition and computer systems; 12-volt DC power supplies; and special problems associated with sources of radio frequency (RFI) and electro-magnetic interference (EMI).

Students will learn how to remove from vehicles interior panels, trim and accessories, as well as remove and replace headliners, seats, and rocker panel coverings and trim. This aspect of the course will give special attention to the removal and disassembly of interior dashes and dash accessories.

Students will be taught to read automotive technical manuals and electronic schematics; to conceal wire runs and equipment; to employ various methods for splicing, dressing and tying wire and cable; and to properly install panel fuses, in-line fuses and other circuit protection devices. Students will also be provided with instruction covering the unique problems associated with vehicle acoustics and covert lighting.

In addition, each student will build an infrared illuminator; fabricate microphone runs; build a super-sensitive audio amplifier; build an audio/video switch box; and design and calculate disguised antennas.