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Optoelectronics
Near field receiver
Interceptor R-10 FM is a handheld near-field receiver, introduced in 1993
by Optoelectronics in Fort Lauderdale (FL, USA)
[a].
It scans the spectrum between 30 MHz and 1 GHz 1 in less than
a second and automatically locks onto the strongest signal in its vicinity.
The intercepted signal can be demodulated instantly, which makes it the ideal
companion for two-way FM radio interception, car phone tapping 2 and bug finding.
It was the company's first near-field receiver
that works on the principle of the
staircase receiver, also known as an
harmonic receiver, invented in 1962. 3
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The device is housed in a black extruded aluminium enclosure that measures
140 × 73 × 35 mm and weights 266 grams, without batteries.
It is powered by 7.2V DC from the internal rechargeable NiCd batteries
or an external adapter. It runs approx. 4 hours on a single charge.
After switching on, the device starts scanning for radio signals and will
automatically lock onto a signal in its vicinity that exceeds a given
threshold, settable with the Squelch adjustment. If it locks onto an unwanted
signal, simply press the Skip button at the top panel to find the next one.
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As soon as a sufficiently strong signal is found, it is instantly demodulated
(FM only) and can be monitored through the built-in speaker or an earplug
connected to the PHONES socket at the top panel. In the latter case,
the internal speaker is disconnected, allowing for covert overhearing.
The device was available in 1993 for approx. USD 300.
Although it was initially aimed at
Amateur Radio operators and
scanner listeners,
it also became part of the standard toolbox of many
law enforcement services, intelligence agencies,
TSCM experts and journalists.
The AM companion of the R-10 was the R-20, also released in 1993.
The R-10 was succeeded in 1994 by the slightly improved R-11, and in 1996
by the Xplorer which also displays the intercepted frequency.
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The image below provides an overview of the controls and connections of the
R-10. The front panel holds the speaker and two red LED bar indicators,
one that shows the strength of the intercepted signal and one that shows
the signal's deviation on a scale of 10 kHz or 100 kHz.
At the left side is a connector for powering the device and charging its
7.2 V NiCd battery pack.
All controls are at the top. The on/off switch is integrated with the
volume control. The squelch control is used to set the detection threshold, so
that unwanted radio signals are ignored. There are two red push-buttons: one
for selecting the range of the deviation indicator and one to restart
scanning after the device has locked onto an unwanted signal.
The yellow indicator lights up when the device is powered, whilst the green
one is lit when the receiver has locked onto a signal.
Also at the top are a 3 mm jack socket for the (optional) earphones and
a BNC socket for connection of the antenna. Selecting an antenna that is
optimised for a specific frequency range, helps filtering off unwanted signals
from other bands. In addition, selectivity could be improved by adding a
pre-amplifier with integrated pre-selector for a specific frequency range.
Suitable solutions were available from Optoelectronics
at the time.
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- Check modulation of FM transmitters (e.g. handheld two-way radio)
- Intercept all two-way FM radio traffic at a crime/emergency scene
- Detect wireless FM radio bugs
- Check a person for a covert body transmitter (i.e. a 'wire')
- Detect vehicle tracking devices
- Check nearby surveillance (am I being followed?)
- Intercept Frequency Hopping radio (some types only)
- Car phone interception (analogue 1G only)
- Check microwave oven for leaks
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- Radio repair personnel
- Radio Amateurs and scanner listeners
- Journalists
- Law enforcement agencies
- Intelligence services
- TSCM experts
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The R-10 interceptor is based on the principle of the
harmonic receiver
– also known as a staircase receiver
– invented in 1962 in the UK
by Lee Tracey,
in his capacity as a TSCM expert at the British intelligence service
MI6. It was first sold as a commercial product in 1972
as the Scanlock.
The block diagram below roughly shows how the R10 works.
The antenna is connected directly to a mixer, where the incoming signal is mixed
with the signal of a 10 MHz comb generator. This results in a number of
stacked frequency segments at 30, 40, 50 MHz, etc.,
each 10 MHz wide.
By sweeping the local oscillator between 0 and 10 MHz, all 10 MHz band
segments are scanned simultaneously. The resulting IF signal is then
fed to a regular FM receiver, where it is demodulated and further
amplifed to speaker level.
➤ More about the original scanlock receiver
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The interior of the R-10 can be accessed by removing the top and bottom panels
– each held by two screws – after which the internal printed circuit boards
(PCBs) and the front panel can be slid out of the enclosure.
The interior consists of three PCBs that are bolted together.
Note that the speaker is glued to the front panel.
It is connected to the main PCB by means of two wires.
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- Exterior damaged
- Battery missing
- Volume adjustment cracking
Speaker wire cut
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- Exterior cleaned and paint restored
- Speaker wiring renewed
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Trisquare FHSS intercepted
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This video shows that the R-10 can be used to intercept some Frequency Hopping
signals, such as analogue Trisquare FHSS. Although the sound is somewhat
clipped, the conversation is legible.
Source
GBPPR on YouTube
Date
29 August 2011
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PWR + 7.2V DC GND Ground (0V)
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Device Near field receiver Purpose Two-way FM radio interception, bug finding Principle Harmonic receiver (staircase receiver) Name Interceptor Model R-10 Manufacturer Optoelectronics Year 1993 Country USA Successor R-11, Xplorer Frequency 30 MHz — 1 GHz (up to 2.2 GHz with reduced sensitivity) Sensitivity ≤ -40 dBm Waveform FM Power 7.2V DC Battery 6 × 1.2V AA-size NiCd Charging ≤ 150 mA Duration > 4 hrs Dimensions 140 × 73 × 35 mm (HWD) Weight 266 g (without batteries) Price USD 300 (1993)
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 31 July 2025. Last changed: Saturday, 09 August 2025 - 16:17 CET.
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