2nd Round of Explosions on PTT Radios
@September 18, 2024
After yesterday’s mass-pager explosions there seems to be a 2nd round of explosions in progress, this time affecting Push-to-Talk radios of at least the type iCOM V82. At the time of writing (unverified) reports of about 60 buildings, 15 cars, dozens of motorcycles and hundreds of mobile devices in multiple areas across the country.
Specs on Apollo AP-900 Mass Pager Explosions In Lebanon- 2nd Round of Explosions on PTT Radios
- Affected Devices
- Frequencies and Lack of Encryption
- Explosive Amount
- iCom Warns of Counterfeit Devices
- iCOM V82 Specs
Affected Devices
Pictures corroborate the hypothesis that iCOM IC-V82 (VHF Radios) are used.
Frequencies and Lack of Encryption
The AP-900 pager can use both UHF and VHF while these IC-V82 radios are VHF-only. The IC-V82 also supports a pager mode.
Based on preliminary reviewing of the manuals, it does not appear that the analog communication channels are encrypted. Despite using similar frequencies, the IC-V82 is not compatible to the AP-900 in its pager mode, suggesting that either different triggering messages must have been used for the two devices or a method independent of the main device’s radio was used.
If a detonation method independent of the main radio is used, it seems likely for the devices to remain hazardous even when turned off / with the battery removed. The battery case seems to be where the explosives are located.
Explosive Amount
Based on the visual damage on cars and apartments, it seems likely that more explosives may have been placed in the radios. Despite this assumption the damage on the device in at least some of the pictures above appears rather mild - either due to better shaping of the charges (either naturally due to the device’s physical characteristics or engineered by reinforcing certain elements) or not using the same amount of explosives in every device.
The radio is larger than the pager, thus a few dozen grams of additional explosive would more easily go unnoticed. With a weight of 390g (including antenna and battery), an additional 10-15% may be feasible without undue attention. The larger case also makes it easier to accommodate larger volumes of plastic explosives like Semtex, RDX or C4.
iCom Warns of Counterfeit Devices
iCom has had the following warning posted on their website since at least January 2024:
(Advisory) Almost all Type 2 products are counterfeit. It has been a long time since the products were discontinued. Purchase the new models, such as the IC-V80 and IC-2300H (with a genuine hologram label).
It lists IC-V8, IC-U80, IC-V85, IC-V82, IC-M304, IC-2200H as examples of Type 2 products.
And warns of “Risk of leakage, fire or explosion of the battery.” but following the energy density estimations from the pager article, it seems highly improbably for the explosion to be due to the original battery, even if there was a reliable way to bring them to the point of explosion.
Specs on Apollo AP-900 Mass Pager Explosions In LebanonIt is thus unknown if or how closely the specs provided by iCOM apply to the affected devices. iCOM provides a tool to check for genuine equipment by scanning a QR code on the device.