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Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

#11

Post by rahimnathwani »

superkuh wrote: post #7
rahimnathwani wrote: post #6

This is a confusing article. I'm not sure what 'scrambling' means here: Keyless repeaters and signal amplifiers scramble the signal from remote key fobs inside people's homes, enabling criminals to unlock cars. And it talks about banning 'signal jammers'. How is a signal jammer useful for stealing a car? Wouldn't a signal jammer prevent someone from unlocking a car?

The jammer prevents the car from hearing the transmitted un/locking signals while the jammer themselves collects and repeats it later.

It seems challenging to jam a transmission from being received, whilst capturing that same transmission.

Re: Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

#16

Post by function_seven »

rahimnathwani wrote: post #11
superkuh wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The jammer prevents the car from hearing the transmitted un/locking signals while the jammer themselves collects and repeats it later.

It seems challenging to jam a transmission from being received, whilst capturing that same transmission.

If you place a device with a high-gain directional receiver pointed toward the fob, and a high-power transmitter pointed toward the car, wouldn’t that work?

Re: Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

#17

Post by HeatrayEnjoyer »

superkuh wrote: post #4

So this is a change from the status quo where actually transmitting an interfering signal is illegal to one where having a device that might theoretically transmit an interfering signal is illegal? It sounds like ordering all pencils be made illegal because they can be used to write threats. I can see why they might want to make this change but I can't see how it can feasibly be defined and enforced without making ev…

Radio equipment restrictions are as old as radio itself. Go into cellular telecommunication or, god forbid, radar, and you will find a great number of things you are not allowed to possess or sell, with very severe punishments for violation.

Re: Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

#18

Post by IndrekR »

De_Delph wrote: post #9
superkuh wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The jammer prevents the car from hearing the transmitted un/locking signals while the jammer themselves collects and repeats it later.

That, or to prevent the tracker in more expensive cars from doing their job. In mainland Europe, some high end cars need to be fitted with a GPS tracker for insurance. Thieves will try to jam GPS to those trackers until they're: A) figured out how to disable/remove it, B) fled the country.

Not just high end and insurance. In EU 100% of new cars have GPS installed. This is used for intelligent speed assist and eCall that are now mandatory.

Re: Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

#19

Post by boredatoms »

_trampeltier wrote: post #14

"Making or selling a signal jammer could lead to up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine." I can understand you like to make some devices illegal. But really, five years prison, unlimited fine. Is everybody insane now.

You get less for 34 felonies

Re: Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

#20

Post by [deleted] »

rahimnathwani wrote: post #11
superkuh wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The jammer prevents the car from hearing the transmitted un/locking signals while the jammer themselves collects and repeats it later.

It seems challenging to jam a transmission from being received, whilst capturing that same transmission.

[deleted]
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