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Body wires AID
When using a covert transmitter, the antenna is usually
positioned near the body, which is far from ideal. This will
limit the range, even when a 1 Watt transmitter is used.
As a result, it may be difficult to pick up the signal at the
listening post. This problem can be solved by
placing a repeater in the vicinity of the body-worn transmitter.
It picks up the signal from the transmitter and re-transmits it
at a different frequency.
The repeater is typically used in urban situations where both
the target transmitter and the mobile listening post are constantly
moving around.
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It allows a third person, at some distance from the target, to carry
the repeater unobtrusively in a backpack, and move along with the
target. By using a free (non-obscured) ¼4λ antenna, the repeater
can pick up the weak signal from the body transmitter, and the
re-transmitted signal can easily reach the listening post.
When used from a backpack, the repeater is usually powered from
the optional 96369B rechargeable battery pack, which is good
for 6 to 8 hours of continuous use.
In stand-by mode — when the body transmitter is down — the battery
will last for four days.
The 6359 was developed in 1993, whilst the 6369 is from 2001.
The two devices are virtually identical, except for a few minor
modifications that limit the bandwidth from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz.
For this, the original FCC approval had to be extended and the
device had to be re-tested. It was approved on 8 May 2001.
Interestingly, the device was still listed in
the company's 2019 brochure [2]; no less than 26 years after its
inception. This is remarkable, since it has become difficult (and
expensive) to obtain crystals and tunable inductors.
In addition, most LEA-AID products are now synthesizer-based.
That said, p. 39 of the brochure suggests
that there might be a synthesized version as well now.
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- 6359
This is the original device, released in 1993.
It has a bandwidth of 25 kHz and a deviation of ± 6 kHz.
Note that the distance between transmission and reception frequency
must be at least 4.5 MHz and must be no more than 10 MHz.
- 6369
This is basically the same unit as the above. It features some
minor modifications to accomodate the 6369N version below,
and was re-approved by the FCC in 2001. It also has a bandwidth
of 25 kHz, and fully replaces the 6359.
- 6369N
This device is the same as the above (6359 and 6396), but has a reduced
bandwidth of 12.5 kHz to accomodate the narrower channel spacing
used in Europe. It was released in 2001 and virtually replaced
the older 6359. The device featured here, is of this type.
- 6369-10
Same as the above (6369) but with a built-in scrambler, for which an
extra switch was added in the bottom right corner (below the word
SCRAMBLE on the top panel).
In this case, the receiver accepts the clear signal (unscrambled)
from the surveillance transmitter and re-transmits it as a scrambled signal.
Note that for scrambled signals, the receiver in the Listenig Post (LP)
has to be capable of de-scrambling the signal.
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The diagram below shows how the repeater is used. At the left is the Agent
who carries a covert surveillance transmitter – also known as a body wire –
under his clothing, with the wire antenna close to the body. The
weak signal from the body transmitter (e.g. at 152.275 MHz) is picked up
by the mobile repeater, which is carried by a second agent who walks around
in the vicinity.
The repeater then re-transmits the conversation at a different frequency
(e.g. 157.285) with a power output of 2 Watts; the maximum allowed for
law-enforcement-deployed covert transmitters. This signal is then picked
up by the listening post, which can be either fixed or mobile.
The advantage of using a repeater, is that the power output of the body wire
can be kept as low as possible. Although this decreases its range, it increases
the battery life, and reduces the chance of discovery by means of
detection equipment (TSCM).
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The interor of the 6369 can be accessed by removing four safety torx screws
from the sides of the top panel, after which the top panel can be taken off.
This reveals the interior, as shown in the image below. From left to right
we see the receiver, the power/scrambler board, the transmitter and the
duplex filter. The power/scrambler board is only partly populated as the
version shown here is not fitted with the optional scrambler.
Transmitter and receiver are both crystal-controlled. Their crystals are
glued to the PCB and have a trimmer for frequency fine tuning.
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This unit has not yet been tested.
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- Power cable (and power plug) missing.
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PWR Red +12 V/DC GND Black 0 V (Ground)
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PWR Red +12 V/DC GND Black 0 V (Ground)
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Device Portable VHF repeater Purpose Range extension for covert surveillance transmitters Model 6359 Catalog - Manufacturer LEA Year 1993 Country USA Band VHF-H Frequency 150-174 MHz 1 Channels 1 2 Waveform Narrowband FM (voice or tone) Deviation ± 6 kHz Bandwidth 25 kHz Oscillator Crystal-controlled Output 2 Watt Separation 4.5 MHz ≤ fdiff ≤ 10 MHz 3 Operation Carrier-actuated Stability ± 5 ppm (-30°C to +50°C) Harmonics > 55 dBc Antenna BNC, Helical, magnetic mount Impedance 50Ω Scrambler Optional Sensitivity < 0.35µV (12 dB SINAD) Selectivity 60 dB adjacent channel rejection Spurious > 70 dB Acceptance ± 7kHz Approval FCC ID: KAV-6359 (1993-05-24) Power 12-14 V/DC Current 1 A Duration 6-8 hrs 4 Stand-by 4 days 4 Temperature -30°C to +50°C Dimensions HWD: 37 × 285 × 155 mm Weight 1100 g Price USD 3,195 (2019) [1]
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At request 130-150 MHz.
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The device shown here is configured for RX: 152.275 MHz, TX: 157.285 MHz.
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Separation is the difference between transmission and reception frequency.
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When using the optional 96369B battery pack with fresh batteries at 20°C.
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Model 6369 Catalog 96369 Year 2001 Deviation ± 5 kHz Bandwidth 25 kHz Acceptance ± 7kHz Approval FCC ID: KAV-6359 (2001-05-08) Duration 8 hrs Stand-by 40 hrs
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Model 6369 N Catalog 96369 Year 2001 Deviation ± 5 kHz Bandwidth 12.5 kHz Acceptance ± 3.5kHz Approval FCC ID: KAV-6359 (2001-05-08)
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Device Portable VHF repeater with scrambler Model 6369 Scramble. 6369N Scramble Catalog 96369-10 Scrambler RX: clear, TX: scrambled Weight 1160 g Price USD 3,295 (2019) [1]
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Device Rechargeable battery Charger Mains (supplied) Cable Power cable for connection to 6369 Power 12 V/DC Dimensions ? Weight ?
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- Model 6369 Repeater
- Helical antenna (rubber duck)
- Right angle DNC adapter (for antenna)
- Magnetic mount car roof antenna (mobile phone look-alike)
- Cigarette lighter power cable
- One RX/TX channel crystal (installed)
- Operating instructions
- Plastic storage case
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| | Model | Catalog | Description | Price 1 |
| • | 6359 | - | Portable repeater (25 kHz) | ? |
| • | 6369 | 96369 | Portable repeater (25 kHz) | USD 3,195 |
| • | 6369 N | 96369 | Portable repeater (12.5 kHz) | USD 3,195 |
| • | 6369 S | 96369-10 | Portable repeater with scrambler | USD 3,295 |
| • | 6369 BB | 96389 | In Book Bag concealment | USD 3,295 |
| • | 6369 BBS | 96389S | In Book Bag concealment with scrambler | USD 3,395 |
| • | ? | 96771 | In Gym Bag concealment | USD 3,695 |
| • | ? | 96771S | In Gym Bag concealment with scrambler | USD 3,795 |
| • | ? | 96369B | Rechargeable battery pack | USD 425 |
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 30 August 2026. Last changed: Monday, 07 September 2026 - 20:59 CET.
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