Need help with Iraqi Comms

[vanderneut]

I am currently in Iraq working to give the Iraqi Army some sort of radio intercept capability. I just need to confirm that even if they have scanners capable of picking up cell phone frequencies they won't be able to hear them. It is my understanding that cell networks use digital means of transmission that are unintelligible to ordinary receivers. If anyone can confirm this or set me straight I would appreciate it.

 

[bezking]

At least with American networks the above is true.

 

[jim202]

The best way to do cellular intercept is by going to the switch and obtaining the connection
from there. It is done everyday in the US with a search warrent. There are some
forms of cellular that can be obtained from over the air, but it is not easy with the
digital technology used today.

Actual radio intercept from off the air is easy and also done every day.

You might want to check ou the company Sytech Corp located in Alexandria, VA.
This is one of their specialties and they do this type of work all the time for the
3 letter boys. Their web site is not that good for info, but you might want to
take a look at it.

www.systechcorp.com

I am currently in Iraq working to give the Iraqi Army some sort of radio intercept capability. I just need to confirm that even if they have scanners capable of picking up cell phone frequencies they won't be able to hear them. It is my understanding that cell networks use digital means of transmission that are unintelligible to ordinary receivers. If anyone can confirm this or set me straight I would appreciate it.

 

[Don_Burke]

I am currently in Iraq working to give the Iraqi Army some sort of radio intercept capability. I just need to confirm that even if they have scanners capable of picking up cell phone frequencies they won't be able to hear them. It is my understanding that cell networks use digital means of transmission that are unintelligible to ordinary receivers. If anyone can confirm this or set me straight I would appreciate it.

For ordinary recievers, digital cell phones are indeed unintelligible.

However, coming up with the hardware and software to listen to digital cell phones is well within the capabilities of governments.

Anyone can buy a phone and have access to the encoded and plaintext versions of everything that goes through the phone. It is just a matter of time and money to come up with a way to read it.

 

[n2mdk]

Scanners wont do it as has been said already, the US Govt has ways of doing it here so you should have no trouble doing it there. One of the interesting facts is that as long as the phone is turned on they can tap into it even when no call is being made. I know it was done in Brooklyn, NY with organized crime to listen in.
http://www.news.com/2100-1029_3-6140191.html

 

[Jay911]

Here, cellular phones which use the 800MHz band are 'analog', or in the clear and receivable (if you have an unblocked receiver).

It's hard to answer definitively without knowing what the Iraqi cell network infrastructure is like these days.

 

[n4voxgill]

anything that you create for the Iraqi government they could also use against the US forces that use cellphones. This is something that should be left to army intelligence so as protect allied forces.

 

[bpckty1]

Your best bet would most likely be to contact either your S-2 or G-2 and let them help in the coordination for intercepts. They are most likely to either have the equipment or the contacts necessary.

 

[elk2370bruce]

If you're not completely sure of the technology, have the contacts, or have a solid grasp of the answers to these original questions, you don't belong doing this project. An unintentional error can cause some American GI to get killed. Find a project that still give you the chance for money but does not risk our soldiers' lives is such a needless manner. This is not an amateur intel opportunity. Leave it to the professional intel contractors who can correctly apply the available technology.

 

[N_Jay]

Here, cellular phones which use the 800MHz band are 'analog', or in the clear and receivable (if you have an unblocked receiver).

It's hard to answer definitively without knowing what the Iraqi cell network infrastructure is like these days.

Where is "here"?

 

[Jay911]

Where is "here"?

North America.

 

[jonny290]

I was about to ask - are any cell providers even still ON the HERE BE DRAGONS 800 band? I've been sitting on this unlocked DR-119 for years, worrying that I'd someday get busted out by the jackboots for my privacy-shattering wire snip, heh.

 

[N_Jay]

North America.

There is very little analog cellular left at 800 MHz, and there is plenty of digital cellular in that band.

 

[flecom]

im pretty sure IRAQ is 1900mhz GSM among other digital stuffs... i know i can roam there for like $4 a min with t-mobile lol

 

[freqhopping]

If you were qualified to do this you would know the Iraqi frequency spectrum up and down.
Leave this to the SIGINT units. They already have everything covered and have far more capability than they would ever provide to the Iraqis.

In 2003 there were indeed analog phones that I could monitor with my Icom R10. I think those may have been the Senao phones. I believe the 380+mhz range was where they were.

 

[shaft]

Amazing how 90% of the people who posted here didnt really read the OPs post.
Hes not looking to monitor cell calls. He just wanted to make sure that an unblocked scanner could not intercept cell calls over there.

 

[slicerwizard]

"I am currently in Iraq working to give the Iraqi Army some sort of radio intercept capability."

So he's going to do that without monitoring cell calls?

 

[elk2370bruce]

Amazing how 90% of the people who posted here didnt really read the OPs post.
Hes not looking to monitor cell calls. He just wanted to make sure that an unblocked scanner could not intercept cell calls over there.

The simple fact remains. If he does not have the answers to these questions or the contacts to get these answers, he should not be involved in a SIGINT project where lives are potentially involved. Yes, we did read the original post.

 

[902]

Whomever the poster is was selected for the project because he represented himself to be a subject matter expert - or people believe he is a subject matter expert. He shouldn't be coming back to a scanner forum for advice that he, as an SME should know. Come to think of it, he shouldn't go to ANY internet forum! Presumably an SME has access to engineers and technology professionals in his organization (or is my sense of reality askew again?).

Boy, before you get someone killed, come back to the States and get a job working where you belong, like being a bumble____ on the ICTAP interoperable communications technical assistance program.

As for the question - ALWAYS ASSUME THE THIRD MAN IS LISTENING!!!

 

[n2mdk]

I really hate to say this, actually no I don't, but if it is really true that this person has been chosen to help the Iraqis intercept comms what does that say about our competence military or otherwise.