[FedCom] FBI Hot vs Cold Wire Recordings?

[Ken]

As Reported in the Springfield MA "Republican",  the head of (and family
members as well as some other authority excutives) of the Springfield
Housing Authority are being investigated for allegedly siphoning off $1.5
million from the authority over a 20+ year period.

In the newspaper article today (8/7/04), they mention that the FBI recorded
hundreds of hours of family members meetings/discussions that was recorded
by the estranged wife of one of the family members involved  in the
investigation.  (Who is apparently "out of state" now (and I'd assume in the
federal witness protection program)).

I was always under the impression that most fed recordings were done with a
"hot wire" (radio type transmission to a "receiving" vehicle parked near by)
vs a recording device attached to the person?  Also I would think that at
the very least even in a concealed "cold wire" recording type environment
that the individual involved would have some sort of a panic alert
transmitter in case of discovery so that the federal team could immediately
respond to assist.

Anyone ever had success in picking up hot wire transmissions?  I'd assume
that the type of device would limit transmissions to perhaps 1/4 mile or
less depending upon the buildings construction.  Also I think in the past I
read another newspapar article that the conversations were held in the
basement family/rec room, so perhaps the cold wire recording was the only
feasible method due to the radio type technical problems.

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area