Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#31

Post by forgottenpass » Mon, May 21, 2018, 8:04 PM UTC

Smushman wrote: post #10

Can't we jam these signals yet? DIY method: https://makezine.com/projects/build-wi-fi-drone-disabler-wit... Pro Method: https://www.droneshield.com/blog-content/2017/1/14/drone-def... Seems to me with DIY method you aren't breaking any FCC regs (uses a wifi de-auth). Still I would do it out of direct line of sight (hidden/obscured area) in case operator catches you on camera. When you pick it up just ask them to kind…

>you aren't breaking any FCC regs (uses a wifi de-auth)

Has the FCC's enforcement been successfully challenged in court? Because last I knew their interpretation of 47 USC 333 explicitly considered monkey business at layer 2 or above to be within scope of malicious interference.

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#32

Post by mattmanser » Mon, May 21, 2018, 8:32 PM UTC

cartercole wrote: post #25

Unless they are spying on you you have little recourse... the government considers anything above your property that's navigable airspace as a public thoroughfare so they have the right to fly through it... they cant spy on your sunbathing daughter but if they catch a glimpse flying by there's nothing you can do. Its based on this case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Causby I would also suggest against…

Depends which country he's in. In the UK you're not allowed to fly them within 50m of people or property without permission.

https://www.caa.co.uk/Consumers/Unmanned-aircraft/Recreation...

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#33

Post by RightMillennial » Mon, May 21, 2018, 9:43 PM UTC

Have you considered taking up the hobby of falconry?

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#34

Post by Smushman » Mon, May 21, 2018, 9:45 PM UTC

forgottenpass wrote: post #31

Smushman wrote: post #10

Can't we jam these signals yet? DIY method: https://makezine.com/projects/build-wi-fi-drone-disabler-wit... Pro Method: https://www.droneshield.com/blog-content/2017/1/14/drone-def... Seems to me with DIY method you aren't breaking any FCC regs (uses a wifi de-auth). Still I would do it out of direct line of sight (hidden/obscured area) in case operator catches you on camera. When you pick it up just ask them to kind…

>you aren't breaking any FCC regs (uses a wifi de-auth) Has the FCC's enforcement been successfully challenged in court? Because last I knew their interpretation of 47 USC 333 explicitly considered monkey business at layer 2 or above to be within scope of malicious interference.

Thanks for info - I was thinking strictly of radio interference as the only FCC concern. It is useful information to know about (and to further research).

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#35

Post by RightMillennial » Mon, May 21, 2018, 9:51 PM UTC

gadders wrote: post #11

Shotgun?

You'd want to be very careful with that. Shooting a gun in the air isn't the most wise choice. Not to mention that you should expect a law suit. My understanding is the results have been mixed.

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#36

Post by Smushman » Mon, May 21, 2018, 10:24 PM UTC

forgottenpass wrote: post #31

Smushman wrote: post #10

Can't we jam these signals yet? DIY method: https://makezine.com/projects/build-wi-fi-drone-disabler-wit... Pro Method: https://www.droneshield.com/blog-content/2017/1/14/drone-def... Seems to me with DIY method you aren't breaking any FCC regs (uses a wifi de-auth). Still I would do it out of direct line of sight (hidden/obscured area) in case operator catches you on camera. When you pick it up just ask them to kind…

>you aren't breaking any FCC regs (uses a wifi de-auth) Has the FCC's enforcement been successfully challenged in court? Because last I knew their interpretation of 47 USC 333 explicitly considered monkey business at layer 2 or above to be within scope of malicious interference.

And here is a better definition. It appears you are correct by my interpretation of this simple FAQ:

https://transition.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement/jamfaq.pdf

- For example, jammers can: prevent your Wi-Fi enabled device from connecting to the Internet

- A jammer can block all radio communications on any device that operates on radio frequencies within its range (i.e., within a certain radius of the jammer) by emitting radio frequency waves that prevent the targeted device from establishing or maintaining a connection.

And more is in there. Judging by these definitions the FCC believe they have a pretty wide reach:

- Any device that jams or disrupts cell phone calls, text messages, or other wireless communications by emitting an interfering radio frequency signal is illegal

As you stated, the courts would have the final say.

I guess with a 'Monetary Forfeiture' being the punishment I have to retract my suggestion. You are better off breaking it with a rock, spear, or a shot-put!

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#37

Post by P0l0 » Mon, May 21, 2018, 10:37 PM UTC

I also have a drone if the person does not all the rules this is the best advice I have for you, record the action of the Drone,find out who it is resolve the problem with the drone pilot or the police........ obviously if somebody has a drone they should know all the rules and regulations

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#38

Post by kevinsimper » Mon, May 21, 2018, 11:12 PM UTC

You could fly after his drone with your drone and see who it is!

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#39

Post by PeterisP » Tue, May 22, 2018, 12:45 AM UTC

cartercole wrote: post #24

jacquesm wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The air above your garden is not exactly 'public space'. People will put all kinds of visible barriers around their house to get some privacy, hovering your drone over those barriers is clearly a breach of sorts. Depending on where this is happening the laws will vary but here is one example from the UK: http://www.prettys.co.uk/drones-and-the-law

is OP in the UK as I understand the drone laws any airspace over your house is a public thoroughfare

Public airspace starts rather high (500 feet?), a random drone flying over your garden at 300 ft height is technically located in your private property.

Re: Ask HN: How do I stop my neighbour flying their drone over my house?

#40

Post by todd8 » Tue, May 22, 2018, 1:05 AM UTC

cartercole wrote: post #25

Unless they are spying on you you have little recourse... the government considers anything above your property that's navigable airspace as a public thoroughfare so they have the right to fly through it... they cant spy on your sunbathing daughter but if they catch a glimpse flying by there's nothing you can do. Its based on this case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Causby I would also suggest against…

Under the Texas Privacy Act of 2013 [1], a drone operator capturing an image of a person on private property is subject to a $5000 civil penalty. Distributing the image can result in significantly higher damages. If done to surveil it becomes a crime in addition to a civil penalty.

[1] http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB009...