REI CMA-100 User manual

CMA-100

Counter Measures Amplifier

Owner’s Guide

Research Electronics International

455 Security Place

Algood, TN 38506

931-537-3359

www.reiusa.net

INTRODUCTION: REI

Thank you for purchasing the CMA-100 Countermeasures Amplifier. When doing a

Counter-surveillance investigation, it is important to analyze all of the wiring in the

environment to ensure that building wiring is not being utilized to transport audio or

video information. This wiring may include but is not limited to AC power lines,

telephone wiring, LAN wiring, security system or access control wiring, intercom

speaker wiring, heating and cooling wiring, etc… The main reason for analyzing suspect

wiring is that a microphone that is well shielded is very difficult to detect with an

ORION. Also, an OSCOR will not detect a hard-wired microphone because there is no

radiated signal. The CMA-100 is an ideal tool to analyze miscellaneous wiring for audio

content. Some scenarios of problems that can be discovered with a CMA are:

1. Utilizing an unused pair of telephone wires or LAN wiring to connect directly to a

shielded microphone in the suspect environment

2. A phone set with a hot microphone or hot earpiece used as a microphone.

3. Microphones can easily be installed in miscellaneous wiring such as thermostats,

motion detectors, Intercom speakers, AC Junction boxes, etc…

4. Many digital phone systems have audio leakage that occurs on the digital lines

due to cross talk within the phone set. A CMA can be used to expose this type of

vulnerability.

The CMA-100 can be connected to wiring (assuming that the AC voltage does not exceed

40 VAC or 250 VDC) and the audio content can be accessed. Furthermore, if there is

video content on the wiring, the video synchronization pulses can be heard and identified

through the CMA.

The CMA-100 is a high gain audio amplifier that is used to detect and identify certain

types of surveillance devices connected to building wiring including telephone wiring,

LAN, Server systems, de-energized AC power, etc....

This multi-functional amplifier has a built in AC/DC digital voltmeter, selectable audio

filters, and an extremely wide dynamic range.

Balanced and unbalanced high impedance input provides connectivity to a wide variety

of suspect wiring.

The CMA-100 also provides a bias voltage adjustable between –14.5V to +14.5V DC

that is used to possible activate devices that are voltage or current sensitive.

All of these functions employ a sophisticated automatic gain control circuitry that is

unmatched by any other audio amplifier.

This instruction manual covers the operation and specifications of the CMA-100.

PRECAUTIONS: REI

1. Although the maximum input voltage rating indicates that connection to power

lines would not be detrimental to the equipment or user, it is NOT recommend

maintaining connection to such circuits. Extreme care should be taken when

connecting the CMA-100 to an unknown electrical source. Always check line

voltage with a multimeter first to determine the risk.

2. Although the maximum input voltage is 250 volts, the meter will only be able

to read 199.9 volts.

CONTROLS: REI

Figure 1

1. On/Low Battery Indicator

2. Power Switch

3. Filter Selector

4. Gain Selector

5. Test Lead Cable Connector

6. Line Out Jack - 3.5mm

7. Meter

8. Input Attenuator Indicator

9. Line Bias Indicator

10. Line Bias Switch

11. Line Bias Voltage Adjust

12. Headphone Gain

13. Headphone Jack - 3.5mm

CONTROLS: REI

IDENTIFICATION

Please refer to Figure 1 for the following function descriptions.

1. The Power On Indicator is used to identify when the unit is turned on. If the battery

voltage falls below 6.9V, then the LED will extinguish and the battery should be

replaced.

2. The Power Switch turns the unit on and off.

3. The Filter Selector is a 4 position rotary switch, provides different options of filtering

the input audio signal.

A. Flat - Does not filter the input signal, providing a full bandwidth inspection

between 25 and 44kHz.

B. Bandpass - Combines the Lowpass and Highpass in series to create a 3dB

bandpass from 320Hz to 3.2kHz.

C. Low Pass - Allows the passage of frequencies below 3.2kHz and attenuation of

higher frequencies. The effect of this filter is to remove high frequency noise such

as machinery noise, etc…

D. High Pass - Allows the passage of frequencies above 320Hz and attenuation of

lower frequencies. The effect of this filter is to remove low frequency noise such

as AC power line noise.

4. The Gain Selector gives the user two operation modes.

A. Auto - This is automatic gain control (AGC) provides up to 105dB of gain. The

AGC circuit increases the gain during low input signal conditions and decreases

the gain for high input signal conditions. This circuit adapts to provide a proper

audio listening level regardless of the change in input audio level.

B. Manual

1.) Fixed gain setting of 0(unity), 25, 50, 75, and 100dB.

2.) Useful for situations where signal level has large dynamic range that the user

wants to utilize.

C. In either case, the Input Attenuator will automatically initiate if the input level

exceeds 300 millivolts peak-peak. This will provide up to 30dB of attenuation.

5. The Test Lead Cable Connector is a three-pin keyed connector that insures proper

polarity of the test leads.

6. The Line Out Jack provides a signal out, controlled by the "Headphone Gain ", and

has an output impedance of 600 ohms.

CONTROLS: REI

7. When the Line Bias Generator is turned off, the voltage meter can measure both AC

and DC volts (Note: AC volts are read as RMS values).

Note: When the Line Bias Generator is turned on, the voltage meter will measure a

combination of the voltage in the circuit that the test leads are connected to and the

voltage presented from the Bias Generator. To read only the Bias Generator, remove

the Test Leads from any circuit.

8. The red colored Input Attenuation Indicator will indicate that the input signal is of

sufficiently high level to automatically initiate the input attenuation circuit. This

important function provides attenuation to a high power audio signal so that the gain

circuit will not distort the signal. This automatic attenuator circuit provides

attenuation for audio levels between 300 millivolts and 31 volts. For signals that

exceed 31volts peak-to-peak, distortion will occur.

9. A yellow Line Bias Indicator will indicate the Bias Generator is turned on.

10. The Line Bias Switch will turn the Bias Generator on or off.

11. The Line Bias Voltage Adjust will control the magnitude of the bias voltage. The

mid-position will generate 0V. Turn to the left to generate a negative voltage and

turn to the right to generate a positive voltage. This function is provided specifically

to provide DC voltage to power a potential threat such as an electret microphone or

wiretap device that may be connected to a line. By activating a potential threat, it is

much easier to identify.

12. The Headphone Gain is a volume level control for both the Headphones and the Line

Out. This level control provides up to 15 dB of additional gain.

13. The Headphone Jack is for use with the included headphones.

USING THE CMA: REI

Testing for Voltage levels

Unknown wiring should first be evaluated using a voltmeter to ensure that the voltage

does not exceed the ability of the CMA. However, if the wiring is known to be low-

voltage wiring such as Telephone, LAN system, or security system wiring, then the CMA

can be connected directly to the wiring using the CMA test leads and voltage levels will

be displayed directly on the CMA.

USING THE CMA: REI

Single Line and Balanced Line Connections

The CMA provides for connections to either single line systems (typically a single line

with a ground such as coax) or a balanced pair line such as telephone or LAN wiring.

For Single Line systems:

• Connect the Green grounding connector to the Black connector.

• Connect the Black connector to wiring ground.

• Connect the Red connector to the single line to be tested.

For Balanced Pair systems:

• Connect the Green grounding connector to earth ground if available (if not

available, do not connect to anything).

• Connect the Black connect one of the wires to be tested.

• Connect the Red connector to the other wire to be tested.

Signal Power Levels

Signal power levels may vary dramatically. The CMA has two systems that allow the unit

to respond automatically to a wide range of audio levels. The automatic input attenuator

prevents gain distortion for situations when the input voltage levels exceed 0.3 volts.

But, more importantly the Automatic Gain Control Function has a dynamic range of

105dB. In basic terms, this means that that the unit can automatically adjust to audio

signals ranging from 2 microvolts to 0.3 volts.

Strong Signal Interference

If the input is attached to an AC voltage greater than 40 volts, the audio content will be

masked.

Signal Frequency Interference

Wiring in a building is very susceptible to interference from ambient electromagnetic

noise sources. The most common type of audio interference is from the AC power lines.

This noise is typically either 50 or 60Hz fundamental frequency; however, there are

harmonic frequency components that also cause interference at 100/120Hz, 150/180Hz,

and possible up to 200/240Hz. For this reason, the CMA has a built-in High Pass filter

that filters out audio noise below 320Hz.

Also, high frequency electromagnetic noise can interfere with audio signals. This type of

higher frequency noise can be generated from industrial machinery, computers, fax

machines, and digital phone systems. Hence, the CMA has a built-in High Pass filter that

filters out audio noise above 3,200Hz.

Providing DC Bias

It is a common practice to utilize electret type microphones for audio surveillance, and

electret microphones require a voltage supply in order to function. Therefore, when

evaluating suspect wiring, if the wiring does not have any voltage on the line, it is

recommended to apply a DC bias voltage to activate any potential microphones. The DC

Bias Voltage should only be used after ensuring that the line does not have an active

USING THE CMA: REI

voltage supply. Then, the DC Bias voltage can be switched on and the control knob

slowly turned to both negative and positive directions while listening with the

headphones to see if a microphone is activated.

Using the CMA with other probes

The CMA can be connected to a variety of other probes.

• Inductive coil - for coupling to an audio signal without making a metallic

connection.

• Contact microphone - for detecting sound within physical structures.

Over voltage protection

If the CMA's input voltage limit is exceeded, then damage will most likely occur that will

make the CMA require repairs. The CMA case is isolated from an input up to 500V.

Therefore, if the input is allowed to exceed 500 volts then a shock hazard will exist.

Over current protection

When connected to an AC power line, the BIAS GENERATOR should not be activated.

In the event that it is, there are input current limiting devices that will protect the delicate

parts of the CMA. After disconnecting the input, it will take several seconds for the

CMA to work properly again.

SPECIFICATIONS REI

INPUT IMPEDANCE: 50k ohm balanced

COMMON MODE REJECTION: >75 dB

MAXIMUM USABLE INPUT: 31 Vp-p

PREAMP AUTO ATTENUATOR: 0 to –40 dB (with Input Atten LED)

DYNAMIC RANGE: 145 dB min.

MANUAL GAIN CONTROL: 0,25,50,75,100 dB

HEADPHONE GAIN CONTROL: 0 to 15 dB

MAXIMUM SYSTEM GAIN: 115 dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 25 Hz to 44 kHz

HIGH PASS FILTER: 320 Hz to 44 kHz

LOW PASS FILTER: 25 Hz to 3.2 kHz

BAND PASS FILTER: 320 Hz to 3.2 kHz

HEADPHONE AUDIO OUTPUT: 16 ohm, 105dB SPL limited

LINEOUT AUDIO OUTPUT: 600 ohm

BIAS CONTROL: 0 to +/-14.5 VDC, 5 mA max (Over current protected,

input Impedance is reduced to 3.6k ohms when bias is

active)

DIGITAL VOLTMETER: 3.5 digit, auto zero, auto polarity, +/-199.9V AC or DC

POWER ON/LOW BATTERY LED LED off @ 6.9V

BATTERY: 9 V ALKALINE (5-30 Hrs typical run time)

MAXIMUM INPUT VOLTAGE: 250 AC/DC

LEAKAGE RESISTANCE TO CASE: >10M ohms

SIZE: 7.3” (185.4mm) x 2.75” (69.8mm) x 1.75” (44.5 mm)

WEIGHT: 12.1-oz (343g)

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