Terrorism, Surveillance and Radio Transmitters SUMMARY: This document is an introduction to the discussion of different types of surveillance equipment. The paper focuses on the different intelligence agencies around the world that use surveillance equipment, the types of information they need, and how they go about gathering the information. The most common type of surveillance equipment used by intelligence agencies, the radio transmitter, is also discussed. The transmitter is described in detail and its many uses in surveillance are illustrated. Finally, the ethical issue of using surveillance devices that violate an individual's privacy is discussed. The topic of our presentation was surveillance, however to better understand the need for surveillance in today's world it is necessary to investigate the role of intelligence organizations, which are one of the largest users of surveillance equipment. This paper will analyze the purpose of intelligence organizations, examine the types of information these agencies seek, and identify key international intelligence agencies. Additionally, the most common type of surveillance equipment used by intelligence agencies around the world, the radio transmitter, will be examined and explained. In a diverse world, with nations having different political, economic and social agendas, information is truly a primary element of nation power. Thus, in all major countries intelligence agencies have developed to "gather and evaluate information for the purpose of discovering the capabilities and intentions of their rivals".[1] In the United States, the importance of this type of information is illustrated by Executive Order No. . 12333 which states that the national intelligence system must "provide the President with the necessary information on which to base decisions regarding the conduct and development of foreign, defense, and economic policies, and the protection of the national interests of the United States from security threats foreign by any lawful means necessary."[2] Consequently, the collection of intelligence information is of primary importance to the survival of nations. The sources of this intelligence information come from two broad categories: public and secret. When most people think of intelligence organizations, they automatically think of James Bond films and other clandestine spy missions, however over 80% of the information collected by these intelligence organizations comes from public sources such as newspapers, media, government, embassy and diplomatic documents. Only about 20% of information comes from hidden sources, but this 20% of information is often the most valuable.