From the AEGIS e-Journal, Volume 7 Number 10, October 2004
The X-TAG System Worldtrac, LLC http://www.usatrac.com/ 1-888-443-2443
The X-Tag system is designed to track objects – people or things. It consists of a small transmitter, which can be imbedded or secreted in almost anything – it can even be swallowed – and two flavors of tracking receiver. The short- range tracking receiver is good for up to 350 feet, and the long-range tracking receiver is good for up to 25 miles – 40 if you are airborne. The ability to hide a small transmitter reduces the chances of it being found, particularly if it is not being looked for, as might be the case with goods or objects that you fear might be hijacked or stolen. In the case of people being kidnapped, there might well be an expectation of a monitoring device. In this case, it is not unheard of for a victim to be stripped of all clothing and possessions, re-dressed in different clothing, and hustled off into the mists. In this case, no matter how cunningly hidden, the device, once discarded, is no longer helpful. Even if its removal triggers an alarm, if you are unable to close off the area in a very short period of time the best you will be able to do is to recover the discarded device. In this situation – stripped of clothing and possessions – a transmitter that has been swallowed will prove to be of value. There are, of course, some obvious problems. For a start, the device will stay in your alimentary system a relatively short time, and will have to either be recovered and cleaned, or simply flushed and replaced. And the range will be somewhat less.
ÆGIS, October 2004 8 What does this mean in real life? Well, imagine that you had someone who was going to be in a risky place – Colombia, Mexico, or Iraq, for example, where there is a real risk of being kidnapped – but they will only be there for a few days. In this case, since the transmitters are under $300 each, the cost is not prohibitive, especially when compared to the cost of a recovery. Twenty-five miles may not seem like a lot, but the assumption is that when the short-range receiver indicates that the person or object has moved beyond the 350 foot radius, you will immediately begin tracking and following using the long-range receiver. This system has enough advantages to be worth considering.
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Article Title, from the October 2004 ÆGIS e-journal (© 2004 LUBRINCO & FEE), to be found at http://www.lubrinco.com/. ÆGIS e-journal is a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, operating styles, theories, and related topics for corporate managers who make decisions about threats typically outside the expertise available in-house, yet which have the potential to affect their company’s domestic and international bottom lines. Nothing appearing in ÆGIS e-journal should be construed as legal advice. The information provided is “general information,” not “specific advice.” The solution to any problem is highly dependent upon the precise facts involved. Thus, before making any reliance upon anything said here, you should consult with an appropriately skilled professional. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher, and may be presented to encourage a dialogue among subscribers. The publisher and any re-publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred as a result of the application of any information published in ÆGIS e-journal. Please be safe, and be smart.