GS-20 Underground Sensor
Buried seismic and magnetometer intrusion sensor with 5-Watt VHF reporting up to 35 miles line-of-sight
The GS-20 Underground Sensor is Vortex Systems' flagship unattended ground sensor (UGS) for covert perimeter and access-route monitoring at critical-infrastructure sites. The low-power intrusion sensor is housed in a compact 6.5 x 3 x 3 inch watertight, corrosion-proof fiberglass-reinforced enclosure that can be fully buried with only the antenna above ground, or deployed on the surface, blending invisibly into the surrounding environment. Detection combines a built-in seismic sensor for pedestrian movement with an internal magnetometer that reports vehicle presence and direction of travel. A configurable external connector accepts optional PIR and contact-closure sensors, and the unit can fuse inputs from up to five sensors, with configurable sensitivity and programmable start/stop times per sensor. Alarms transmit over a built-in 5-Watt VHF radio with up to 35 miles line-of-sight range and strong foliage penetration; a satellite variant (GS-20SAT) is available. RF output power is programmable, with up to 15 unique alarm codes and sensor addresses from 1-9999. The sensor runs on 8-20 VDC with battery life of one year or more depending on configuration. Programmable self-test messages report sensor status and battery level, and a real-time clock supports scheduled access windows. An internal tamper switch protects the unit, and a mechanical relay output can trigger external cameras, lights or sirens. Fully compatible with legacy Vortex and Monitron systems, the GS-20 works stand-alone or networked, including a Coyote/Cub configuration in which one sensor relays messages from multiple others across valleys, tunnels or canyons.
Technical specifications.
| Sensing modalities | Internal seismic (pedestrian) + internal magnetometer (vehicle presence and travel direction) |
| External sensor inputs | PIR and contact-closure via configurable external connector |
| Sensor fusion | Up to 5 sensors |
| Radio | Built-in 5 W VHF, programmable RF output power, strong foliage penetration |
| Radio range | Up to 35 miles line-of-sight |
| Alarm codes | Up to 15 unique |
| Sensor address range | 1-9999 |
| Power | 8-20 VDC |
| Battery life | 1+ year (deployment 3 months to 1 year or longer depending on configuration) |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 3 x 3 in |
| Enclosure | Watertight, corrosion-proof fiberglass-reinforced polyester with silicone foam gasket |
| Deployment | Buried (antenna only above ground) or above-ground |
| Output | Mechanical relay to trigger external devices (cameras, lights, sirens) |
| Security | Internal tamper switch |
| Timing | Real-time clock; programmable self-test messages and scheduled access windows |
| Networking | Stand-alone or networked; Coyote/Cub relay mode; compatible with legacy Vortex and Monitron systems |
Available variants.
Use cases.
- ›buried perimeter intrusion detection for critical infrastructure
- ›covert unattended ground sensor surveillance of borders and remote sites
- ›vehicle detection with direction of travel on access roads and driveways
- ›long-term low-manpower monitoring of large secured areas
Replacements & compatible alternatives.
Comparable products from other suppliers. Cross-shop on specs — confirm exact fit and compatibility with the supplier before specifying.
