Q: how can you detect a GPS transmitter or some other bug tracking device on your vehicle? These days they can be very small and nearly undetectable. Is there an easy way to locate one without a tear down of the entire car bolt by bolt?

and yes, I'm serious.

 

I was thinking of that too.
If I'm robbing a bank or hiding from the mobs, I wouldn't want them to pin point my car's location within 3 feet.

 

A GPS is a receiver. A transmitter (bug) would be easier to find. A sweep with a spectrum analyzer or some other detector would find a transmitter. I do have a spectrum analyzer from work. It will detect radio frequencies up to about 800 Mhz. It's an older one. The newer ones are designed to detect up in the microwave spectrum. If someone was really trying to be covert though, it would be really hard to detect.
Better wrap a wet towell around your head! Sorry, couldn't resist.
Seriously, send me a PM if you like. I'm going out of town for a week. Be back 07/08

 

Receivers also emit radiation. That's how the cops can find your radar detector. It's because there needs to be an oscillator to demodulate the signal to be received. You should be able to find an active receiver with a sensitive enough "bug detector". I've seen one of these things that can scan the entire spectrum (just about) and fits into a suitcase. Do a web search.

 

Woops, I forgot about the Intermediate Frequency Occilator. That's a good thing. I never enjoyed board level work much anyway. They don't emit much and should be shielded to keep from effecting other components. It would take a pretty sensitive detector to find it. Now that I think about it virtually everything electronic emits something. That's how the big companies spy on each other. They have these spy gadgets to listen to the signals emmitted by the competitors computer monitors. I understand they can see the image as if they were right infront of the screen.
And this is stuff everyone knows about. What about the top secret spy gadgets?

 

no idea if something is on the car, but who cares really, I don't have anything to hide and I do nothing but work work work and that's only one mile down the same street.

but it appears that I was followed by two cars with radios, but they couldn't keep up because I drove "erratically", funny though, I mean I drive like that all the time!

wish I could say more or why, but at this time unfortunately, my lips are to remained sealed.

thanks for the info guys!

 

An easier way would be, if there's a hot chick in sunglasses and a convertible in your rear view...you're as good as toast...that is after the requisite sex scene!

 

You can Jam GPS with a low power emitter, but I could not find a detection device that exists

f

 

It is not hard identifying the engineers or those that work in electronics!!

 

Bernie, you got that right.

But from what I know, I dont think they were that intelligent. Its getting interesting, but one day I'll be able to fill in w/details. =D