Supercon 2024: How To Track Down Radio Transmissions
1 min read
Summary
Every radio user will at some point receive a suspicious signal that they want to identify and locate.
To find out where unusual transmissions are coming from it is necessary to analyse the data received and use several pieces of equipment, together with some basic knowledge.
It is essential to eliminate all possibility of the signal originating from the analysing equipment, by disconnecting all antennas and switching off all potential internal sources of interference.
If the signal disappears, it is endogenous, if not, it is exogenous and comes from an external source.
In the case of an exogenous signal it is necessary to analyse its frequency, and amplitude, and observe its time distribution and spectral content.
It is also essential to consult other interceptors in the area, to discover whether they are also receiving the same signal.
If this is the case it could be a case of a beacon, or a transmitter that covers a wide area, if not, it may be a target for intelligence agencies.
