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Optoelectronics CI-V
Near field receiver
Xplorer is a handheld near-field test receiver, introduced in 1996
by Optoelectronics
in Fort Lauderdale (FL, USA). The device works on the principle
of the staircase receiver – also known as an
harmonic receiver 1 –
and allows the entire frequency spectrum between 30 MHz and
2 GHz to be scanned in less than a second. It locks onto the strongest signal in its
vicinity and is ideal for the detection of FM radio bugs and for intercepting any
nearby two-way FM radio conversation.
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The device is housed in a metal enclosure that consists of two U-shaped metal shells.
It has a built-in rechargeable NiCd battery, and is operated via 6 push-buttons and
an LCD screen at the front. At the top is a rotary encoder (for setting the volume
etc.), a BNC socket for the antenna, a socket for the earphones, a power socket (for
charging the NiCd battery) and a data socket.
The data socket allows the captured data to be transferred to a personal computer (PC).
It also allows the device to be connected to an AOR-8000
or ICOM CI-V compatible receiver.
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The device was developed and manufactured in-house at the Optoelectronics
facilities in Ft. Lauderdale (later: Boca Raton) (FL, USA) and sold to
law enforcement agencies world wide.
It was not approved by the FCC and its use within the US was restricted
to 18 U.S.C.§ 2512(2) 2 qualified persons or entities.
In most cases, devices sold in the US were disabled for the cellular frequencies, 3
except for entities with special permission.
In the device featured here, these frequencies are not blocked, which indicates that
it was used by a law enforcement or intelligence agency.
Since most communications are digital today, the Xplorer has largely become obsolete.
Both the manual and the label at the bottom of the device, indicate that
US Patent 5,471,402 is applicable.
This patent however, is listed on nearly all Optoelectronics products and
describes a special kind of frequency counter.
As such it has little to do with a harmonic receiver [1].
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The staircase receiver, also known as the harmonic receiver,
was invented in 1962 by Lee Tracey in the UK.
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This refers to United States Code, Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure Section 2512.
➤ Full text
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Analogue mobile phone frequencies (now defunct): 824.010—848.970 MHz and 869.010—893.970 MHz.
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The image below gives a quick overview of the controls and connections
of the Xplorer. At the centre of the front panel is a 2-line 16-characters
wide backlit LCD screen. Below it is a 5-button keypad that holds the regular
controls. At the lower edge is the (red) on/off button. Above the LCD
is the loudspeaker, which is disabled when the earphones are connected
(at the top).
The top panel holds one further control: a rotary dial with built-in
push-button. By default it is used as volume control, but under control
of the CPU it can also be used for other purposes. The top panel also
holds two LED indicators (red and yellow), plus sockets for connection
of antenna, earphones, power (charger) and a serial port for
remote control and download of recorded data.
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- Single knob (old version)
The is the original version of the Xplorer, issued in 1998. It has only one knob
at the top panel, which is used to set the volume.
The device featured here, is of this type.
- Double knob (new version)
This is the newer version of the device, issued around 2002.
The major difference is the addition of a separate squelch control at the top surface.
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After removing 4 screws from the left side and another 4 screws from the
right side, the two case halfs can be separated and the
interior is exposed.
There are two printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are held together by the top
and bottom panels. Furthermore, the two PCBs are interconnected by means of
three contract strips at the corners. After removing the top and bottom panels
and the speaker, the two PCBs can be separated (carefully) as shown in the
image below.
The upper PCB is the CPU board. It holds the controls, the display, the microcontroller
(with firmware), the speaker and the power socket.
The NiCd battery is connected to this board.
The lower PCB is the Radio board, which comprises a wide-range RF front-end
and a Xilinx XC3430A 1
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that implements the
harmonic receiver. Next to the FPGA is a microcontroller that holds the firmware
for the FPGA. Also on this board is circuitry to demodulate the intercepted signal
and make it audible through the speaker.
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Device Near Field receiver Purpose Bug detection and interception of two-way FM radio Principle Staircase receiver (harmonic receiver) Model Xplorer Manufacturer Optoelectronics Year 1996 Country USA Predecessor R-10, R-11 Frequency 30 MHz - 2 GHz (analogue) Resolution 100 Hz (± 500 Hz) Waveform FM Audio 50 - 3000 Hz Impedance 50Ω Sensitivity 350µV at 500 MHz Level -59dBm at 100 MHz, -25dBm at 1 GHz Output Internal speaker, external 3.5 mm headphones jack Data Serial RS232 on 8-pin mini-DIN socket Protocol CI-V Address B0h Display 2 x 16 characters with EL backlight Battery 7.2V, 900 mAh, 5-cell NiCd Charger 12-14V DC, 1A (8 hours) Duration 5-6 hours Dimensions 148 × 80 × 40 mm (HWD) Weight 274 g (without batteries)
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- Frequency (MHz)
- Hits
- Time
- Date
- Audio on/off
- DTMF on/off
- Signat strength
- Deviation
- CTCSS tone
- DCS Code
- DTMF Data
- LTR
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The device has an RS232 serial port for connection to a PC or to a
CI-V compatible radio,
such the ICOM IC-R10,
or an AOR compatible radio.
Data format 9600 baud 8N1 (one start bit,
8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, no handshake).
The port is available on an 8-pin mini DIN socket at the top panel.
The signal levels are compatible with RS232C, which means that it can be
connected to a PC without a converter box.
Below is the pinout when looking into the socket.
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n.c. - Unused n.c. - Unused TXD Out Transmit data 1 RXD In Receive data 2 n.c. - Unused n.c. - Unused GND - Signal ground GND - Signal ground
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TXD (data from Xplorer) 0 = 0—0.45V (1.6 mA), 1 = 2.4—5.0V (60 mA max).
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RXD (data to Xplorer) 0 = 0—0.7V, 1 = 2.0—5.0V (50 mA max.).
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- Xplorer User Manual (1998) - old version
Optoelectronics, Inc., 1998.
- Xplorer User Manual (2009) - new version
Optoelectronics, Inc., 2009.
- Xplorer Serial Interface Specification
Optoelectronics, Inc., 25 February 1998. Version 3.0.
- Xplorer ASCII Serial Interface Specification
Optoelectronics, Inc., 25 March 2010. Version 3.4.
- Bob Grove, WA4PYQ, Opto Explorer Cellular Restoration
Instructions on how to unblock the cellular frequencies.
Monitoring Times, November 1996. Page 100.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Sunday 21 May 2017. Last changed: Sunday, 10 August 2025 - 22:12 CET.
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