This level of threat includes only generally available consumer devices sold at major department stores (Walmart), home improvement stores (Home Depot), national electronics chains (Best Buy), Radio Shack and similar stores. The products are NOT primarily designed for eavesdropping, and operate on a fairly narrow band of RF frequencies.

All products operate at very low power levels and most are considered "Part 15" devices (within the US). To qualify as a level one threat the product must also have an FCC ID number (or foreign equiv.), and be specified (by the FCC) as a consumer product. These products generally do not require any type of special authorization or licensing of the operator of facility.

This includes low power wireless microphones, wireless intercom systems, Wavecom transmitters, baby monitors, and similar products.

TSCM specialists who attend a typical two week civilian TSCM training program will be able to detect and locate about 50% of the threats that exists on this level, but will be weak on dealing with conducted signal threats, and very weak on RF threats.

Generally limited to frequencies below 1 GHz. Limited usage of the 2.4 GHz band, involving mostly Wavecom video transmitters which are very simple to detect.

Equipment used for taping phone lines typically contain parasitic power draw, and are very simple to detect with a simple volt-ohm meter test.

Since the equipment and training required to perform a TSCM inspection at this level is minimal, the cost for this type of service is very low. Firms offering TSCM services this level typically charge between $150 to $750 for an entire sweep (but remember you get what you pay for). This level of TSCM service usually takes between four and six hours, with a legitimate firm charging around $250 per hour.

• Wireless Microphones
• Intercom Systems
• Baby Monitors
• Tape Recorders
• Recorder Starter Relays
• Inexpensive Microphones
• Video Cameras
• Camcorders
• Related electronic devices which are really nothing more than consumer toys and gadgets.
• Commonly used by spouses spying on each other

Technical Profile

• Frequencies typically between 150 kHz and 2.5 GHz (but most below 1 GHz)
• Power levels typically below 50 mW
• Narrow Band Spread Spectrum ISM bands may be used (but it is limited)
• Wide band spread spectrum, burst or frequency hopping is rarely used
• Infrared devices clustered around 900 nm
• AM, NFM, WFM Modulation
• Little or no usage of encryption or inversion scrambling (typically Barker PN codes, and related well known and easily decoded methods)
• Very high harmonic components
• Inefficient circuitry, but very low cost

Counter Measures

• Digital Multimeter
• Handheld/Pocket RF Field Detectors
• Near Field Detectors
• Feedback Detectors
• Requires less then $1500 in TSCM equipment to detect

Credentials

• Involves 5 days of TSCM training (typically only 1 or 2 weeks)
• Over 50,000 people worldwide working at this level
• Over 4,500 private firms in the U.S. offer TSCM at this level
• Half of the firms offering service at this level are mostly private investigators
• One fourth of the remaining firms are "security" consulting firms
• The remaining fourth are con artists, felons, spy shops, and crooks who will say or do anything to separate you from your cash (usually thousands of dollars).
• Every major U.S. city has at least 50 firms who operate at this level (but most are not legitimate)

Level 2 - Amateur and Consumer Communications Products

Level 3 - Amateur Eavesdropping Products

Level 4 - Restricted Professional Products

Level 5 - Professional "Spy Shop" Products

Level 6 - Professional "Title 3" Products

Level 7 - Signals Intelligence Products

Level 8 - Intelligence Agency Eavesdropping Threats

Level 9 - National Security Eavesdropping Threats

Level X - Hypothetical, Misunderstood, or Delusional Threats

How To Engage a TSCM Firm

Recommended U.S. TSCM Firms