Someone has told me that they've used an audio "bug" device in their
house to keep tabs on their babysitter.  (Apparently there was
question whether she was on her cell phone all the time.) 
Specifically, this device was a replacement for a standard dual-plug
wall power outlet.  You'd unscrew a power outlet box, replace it with
the bugged box, and it would look exactly the same.  The bug didn't
need batteries since it tapped power from the outlet, and it used a
radio transmitter to send sound to any radio tuned to a specific
frequency within a certain range.

My question is: Where do people buy these things legally in the U.S.? 
(Do Internet stores sell these?)

I'm aware of online "spy stores" where they sell video cameras and
audio bugs, but I specifically want information about this power or
phone socket-replacement style device.

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Request for Question Clarification by darrel-ga on 02 Nov 2002 15:22 PST

Where are you located?

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Clarification of Question by kowai-ga on 02 Nov 2002 16:25 PST

King County, Washington state, U.S.

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Request for Question Clarification by dannidin-ga on 03 Nov 2002 05:28 PST

kowai-ga,
I have found a UK-based company, Advanced Security and Surveillance
Equipment, that has what you're looking for. Their website is

http://www.security-surveillance-equipment-uk.co.uk/trans.html

(scroll down to "UX-DS power socket transmitter")

I have an email query to them pending about whether they have this
device fitted for an American outlet and if they ship to the States
(the wording on the site seems to indicate that yes), and also what is
the price for this device and the accompanying receiver. I will keep
you posted about the results. In the meantime please write if this
device is indeed what you were looking for.

Regards,
dannidin

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Clarification of Question by kowai-ga on 03 Nov 2002 15:43 PST

dannidin,
Yes, if a similar outlet exists that's sold in (or to) America and
replaces a standard U.S. outlet, that fits the description exactly. 
I'll be interested to know the results of your query.

To clarify the question, I'm interested in the existence of a product
sold in the U.S. with all of the following characteristics:

1) Audio bug with a radio transmitter

2) Replaces an American style wall socket box with 2 outlets - it
should look exactly like this (I hope they don't mind me direct
linking):
http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/pii/1/5/7/1/A61751_2.JPG
Or, look for "Residential Grade Duplex Outlet" at homedepot.com.

3) Uses mains power (no batteries - operates indefinitely)

A device that easily attaches inside (not outside) an existing socket
box also satisfies this, since someone could buy a regular outlet and
hook it up.

Thanks

Try this site... They list a product that plugs into a standard outlet.
http://www.bullnet.co.uk/shops/test/bugs.htm

There seem to be a lot of products that either 1) have non-U.S. type
connectors; or 2) plug into an existing outlet (making it
conspicuous).

I'm mainly interested in whether a product actually exists that
totally replaces a U.S. style AC outlet.  Thanks

the following isn't exactly what you're looking for, but may do the
trick, especially if you plug a few things into it (scroll to "room
monitoring ... in shape of outlet adapter")

http://www.advanced-intelligence.com/audio.html 

i searched quite a bit for something more spot-on, but found only
references to homemade deviced of that sort.

good luck.

-gentryunderwood-ga

This is closer - it fits U.S. plugs - but I'm really interested in the
existence of a replacement-style device in the States.  Thanks

Hi again kowai-ga,

I still have no word from the U.K. people. You may consider trying to
contact them yourself, maybe you'll have better luck than me. In the
meantime, I thought I'd put this up to let other researchers a chance
to work on this question if they want. Of course if I have any news I
will keep you posted.

Regards,
dannidin

Thanks - I've also sent them a message.