Wolfhound-Ultra
Tactical Signal Detection System
Wolfhound-Ultra is a powerful cellular direction finding receiver for securing correctional, law enforcement, government and military facilities as well as TSCM, SCIFs, international borders and much more. This new receiver system picks up where the highly successful Wolfhound-Pro left off, but adds a larger, touchscreen interface alongside many new scanning features for the next generation of cellular devices and even the trackers that locate them.
Wolfhound-Ultra™ is a precision, handheld RF detector tuned to the RF signatures of common cellular handsets across 2G/3G/4G and non-mmWave 5G bands (Europe and international allocations). Its receiver discriminates cellular signals from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to provide focused detection of nearby handsets.
Wolfhound-Ultra’s high-speed, multi-band receiver and integrated direction-finding antenna enable operators to detect and, where sufficient signal energy exists, locate nearby mobile phones during active voice, text, or data transmissions. However, it is not recommended for detecting phones in standby (idle) mode, as modern handsets transmit only infrequently and unpredictably during brief registration or paging events. While the Wolfhound-Ultra may occasionally register these intermittent bursts on its peak-hold display, such signals are too brief and irregular for reliable detection or direction finding.
Wolfhound-Ultra identifies detected handsets by frequency band, carrier and relative signal strength (it does not capture phone numbers, IMSI, IMEI, or user content). This passive detection approach helps keep the system within lawful passive RF monitoring practices while remaining useful for security sweeps, TSCM work, and search and rescue scenarios where intermittent handset transmissions may help rescuers locate survivors.
In many operational workflows the Wolfhound-Ultra™ is used alongside lawful-intercept and network-based location systems to accelerate and refine handset localization. By providing short-range RF situational awareness and directional cues for radiated cellular energy, the Wolfhound-Ultra can help confirm, narrow, or prioritize areas indicated by carrier or interceptor fixes. Because the unit is passive and does not decode identifiers (IMSI/IMEI), capture voice/data, or replace operator-authorized interception systems, it is intended to complement—rather than substitute for—lawful intercept tools and should always be employed under the appropriate legal authority and operational procedures.
Performance varies with environment, handset model, carrier configuration, and battery state. Typical indoor detection radius depends on building construction and handset radiated power; outdoor line-of-sight detection extends further. This product includes swappable antennas (omnidirectional for detection and directional for localization) to support both rapid sweeps and careful DF work. The unit can be operated one-handed.
Detect At A Distance
Detects cell phones up to 150 feet away (indoors) and up to 1 mile away (line-of-sight outdoors) by identifying each phone by frequency allowing for multiple, simultaneous cellphone detection.
Powerful Direction Finding
Includes direction finding antenna allowing for accurate cellphone detection and location in secure facilities as well as search and rescue efforts.
Dynamic Range
Receiver design boasts a dynamic range of -70 dB with user settable sensitivity in RF noisy environments (typical of prisons).
Passive Receiver Technology
Passive receiver technology is completely legal and does not require time consuming court orders or warrants to operate.
Data Logging
Software (optional) logging capability allows the user to record and time-stamp every detected cell phone transmission via built-in USB-C port.
FREQUENCY RANGE 600-6000 MHz (includes all cellular 3G/4G/5G devices (non-mm wave frequencies) as well as GPS trackers)
Detection Ranges
| Environment | Interference | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Indoors | None (line of sight) | 175 feet |
| Indoors | Walls, windows, doors, etc. | 100 feet |
| Indoors | Rebar concrete or steel | 50 feet |
| Outdoor use | None (line of sight) | 1/2 mile |
| Outdoor use | Buildings, trees, etc. | 150 feet |
| DYNAMIC RANGE | 70 dB |
|---|---|
| SENSITIVITY | -90 dBm |
| BANDWIDTH RESOLUTION | 50 kHz, 4 MHz, 20 MHz |
| SELECTIVITY REJECTION | Better than 40 dB |
| RECEIVING MODES | High-speed active scanning |
| ANTENNAS SUPPORTED | (1) DF direction finding, (1) omni-directional, (1) GPS – all SMA removable |
| POWER REQUIREMENTS | Internal built-in 5.0 Ah Li-Ion battery |
| CHARGING | 5 hours (from empty) |
| BATTERY RUNTIME | 3.5 hours |
| DISPLAY & CONTROL | 272 x 480 backlit color TFT with a resistive touch screen |
| UNIT DIMENSIONS | 7” x 4.5” x 2” |
| DOCK DIMENSIONS | 4” x 3” x 2” |
| PORTS | USB-C for firmware updates and charging |
| ALERTS | Vibration (toggleable) and visible (blue LED on top of unit) |
| SOUND | Audible feedback from touchscreen taps |
| INCLUDED ACCESSORIES | (1) Omni-directional SMA antenna, (1) direction finding antenna, USB-C power adapter, rugged transport case |
Does Wolfhound-Ultra identify callers or their phone numbers?
No. Wolfhound-Ultra is a precision RF cellular scanning device that identifies cellphone activity (both standby mode and active modes) and assists in locating them. It is a wireless tool used by security officers and personnel that require a NO WIRELESS security policy
What does the Wolfhound-Ultra firmware update include and how does it work?
Wolfhound-Ultra is available now with all the features you need to
How far away can I detect cell phones?
Typical range is about 125 feet but this varies depending upon the environment.
Can I detect phones in standby mode?
Wolfhound-Ultra can detect phones in the standby mode but keep in mind when a phone is ON in standby it is not constantly transmitting. Phones register to the local cell tower/base station at different intervals that the tower/carrier determines (could be every so many seconds, minutes, 5 minutes, or we have seen 20 minutes). An easy way to test this is to take your phone and put it next to Wolfhound-Ultra and shut off your phone completely wait a few minutes then turn the phone on your phone should try to register to the base station and you should see a short alert on Wolfhound-Ultra’s screen.
Can Wolfhound-Ultra work in areas with a lot of cellular activity?
Yes, but it is much easier to identify specific cellular sources in areas where phone use is normally restricted. Wolfhound-Ultra always looks for the strongest signal but users can adjust attenuation to help distinguish between various cellular sources.
