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Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

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Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#31

Post by skygazer »

nkozyra wrote: post #18

I've dreamed of doing this for a decade, even found some sources in the U.K. to purchase a few and looked up schematics for building wideband jammers. Ultimately it was the very serious approach the FCC takes that stopped me from really exploring it, even for fun. Everthing I'd read indicated that you'd be caught and fast, so I'm sort of surprised it took two years, even if it was on a highway. But lord I still might…

Why is a husband and wife talking to each other in a grocery store so vexing? Is it only if one is remote, or have you also looked into the ramifications of muzzling fellow shoppers? Is it that you prefer to hear both sides of stranger's conversations?

I ask in a flippant way, just to highlight the incongruence, but I'm sincerely curious.

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#33

Post by mikestew »

mhurron wrote: post #3
alexkus wrote: post #2

One of the last things I'd want is lots of drivers near me to be even more distracted saying "Hello? Hello?" into their phone and repeatedly looking at it to see if they're still connected or still have a signal. Also, good luck if you're in an accident as no-one nearby can call the emergency services.

I would add someone going around blocking emergency radios to that last things list. http://tbo.com/news/business/fcc-seffner-man-was-using-cell-... "When Hillsborough County Sheriffs deputies stopped the SUV, their own two-way radios were jammed."

By default I assume law enforcement is exaggerating for effect, but lot of emergency radios are on 800Mhz, AT&T (as one example) uses 850Mhz, so it wouldn't be hard to imagine a radio transmitter that cuts a wide swath (e. g., jammer) and interferes with other radios.

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#34

Post by TallGuyShort »

cheeseprocedure wrote: post #11

Does anyone here work for a wireless service provider? It would be interesting to hear how major sources of interference are identified and dealt with.

Causing interference is generally covered by regulation, and the FCC enforces it. See some examples for violation of amateur radio misuse: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html

edit: I don't work for a wireless service provider, but I'm into amateur radio.

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#35

Post by massysett »

lostlogin wrote: post #29
leephillips wrote: post #7

My impression that the biggest domestic market for these is hotel operators, who secret them around the premises to force their customers to be gouged by the hotel phone. EDIT: reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/07/business/07jamming.html?_r... There is disagreement about whether this actually happens in the US; seems to be more evidence for it in the UK.

I know of a dentist who has one to stop patients using their phones. As someone who works in a hospital, I can see his point. People answer their phones in the middle of procedures. Some even make calls during them.

Did he ever consider asking his patients to stop?

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#36

Post by maresca »

My opinion is probably in the minority on this issue, but I think cell phones should be disabled by default near vehicles(Except for emergency services). As a stick-driver and motorcyclist, I see way too many distracted drivers. People will miss lights, swerve, and worse because of their cell phones.

The one thing that will help reverse this trend will be self-driving cars.

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#37

Post by jablan »

primitivesuave wrote: post #25

My mom's SUV was totaled by a woman who was on her iPad while driving. I really don't think we'll be fixing the idiots-on-the-road epidemic anytime soon.

The solution is not only logical, but also an answer to lots of other problems: ditch the car-centric culture and move these people out from their cars to buses, trains, trams, bicycles and other forms of sustainable transport. It's not that hard, takes some time getting used to, but will do good to all of us.

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#38

Post by fleitz »

grecy wrote: post #14

Does anyone know if it would be legal to use something like this if it was sufficiently clear with big signs? I'm thinking movie theaters or coffee shops that have huge signs "Your cell phone will not work in there. If you don't agree, don't come in", etc.

Yes it would be, however, you don't need clear big signs, you need a small piece of paper authorizing the transmission from the FCC.

If you have the right piece of paper you can push 100,000 watts. (Note, if you're pushing 100,000 watts, then you do need a clear big sign outlining the dangers of standing near a 100,000 watt microwave)

Re: Driver caught using cell phone jamming device

#40

Post by b_emery »

grecy wrote: post #14

Does anyone know if it would be legal to use something like this if it was sufficiently clear with big signs? I'm thinking movie theaters or coffee shops that have huge signs "Your cell phone will not work in there. If you don't agree, don't come in", etc.

It's almost certainly not legal to transmit in cellular bands without a license (other than for the intended use). FCC licenses I've seen have a 'do not interfere' clause, so even if you rigged your handset as a jammer it would likely be illegal.
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