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Cell Phone Jamming Devices Enjoy an Increase In Popularity

Posted by timothy on from the can-you-hear-me-carrier-lost dept.

rullywowr writes "A story run by local new NBC10 of Philadelphia last Friday illuminated the fact that this particular rider of the pubilc bus system is packing a cell phone jammer and is not afraid to use it. Going by the name of 'Eric,' whenever he sees someone being 'rude' on the bus and talking loudly on their cell phone, he screws the antenna on and flips the power switch. Regardless of the steep civil penalites levied by the FCC (up to $16,000 USD), many (such as 'Eric') are still interested by these devices which can be bought on the internet for $40 to over $1000. Opponents of these devices say that not only do they interfere with mobile phones, they often can interfere with 'behind the scenes' communication, Wi-Fi, etc. Despite being illegal, TFA points out that they are readily available on the internet (what else is new?). Do you have an instance where you experienced the positive (or negative) effects of a cell phone jammer?"

10 of 805 comments (clear)

  1. I approve by WillyWanker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This guy is my new hero, even though he later backed down and said he wasn't going to use it anymore. I for one am fed up with the constant assault of cell phone conversations from people who have no idea how to be considerate to those around them.

    1. Re:I approve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Because your good at judging who should be on the phone and who shouldn't.

    2. Re:I approve by pedrop357 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The other problem is that many times the person claims the jamming signal is confined solely within their property/building/domain, yet the jamming signal affects those outside of the jammer's property. That becomes a huge problem.

      Those who wish to stop cell phone use should first STOP installing indoor repeaters, then use some form of radio wave blocking paint/building materials. Whatever method they use should be passive and not directly interfere with other property's cell phone signals.

    3. Re:I approve by duguk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yeah and the side effect of it blocking the person trying to make a wireless 911 call. Who cares about the innocents caught in this, right?

      Why would anyone be making a private 911 call on a bus? Especially without any of the other passengers knowing?

      I mean, I'm not agreeing with this; but that's a ridiculous claim under this scenario.

    4. Re:I approve by Almandine · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The peeple making the emergency calls may not necessarily be on the bus, just within range of the jammer. For example, maybe the bus is stuck in traffic due to an accident and people outside are trying to make emergency cals.

    5. Re:I approve by GameboyRMH · · Score: 5, Insightful

      There may be other urgent calls a person would like to be able to receive. Business calls, family emergency, but who knows now right? Because this selfish asshole has decided that nobody on the bus should be able to make any calls because he can't deal with the reality of living around other people in the 21st century.

      I hope all these morons get caught and have the book thrown at them.

      --
      "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    6. Re:I approve by ganjadude · · Score: 5, Insightful

      30 years ago no one had cell phones... things havent gotten THAT much more important in 30 years

      --
      have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    7. Re:I approve by demonbug · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yeah and the side effect of it blocking the person trying to make a wireless 911 call. Who cares about the innocents caught in this, right?

      Not to mention the five people quietly texting away, or browsing the web, emailing, etc. Basically, the idiot vigilante is screwing everyone over because of one loudmouth. And lets not forget the cell-based position reporting of the bus/train/whatever, or the GPS that his $40 jammer is also screwing with, and so on. Yes, the guy talking loudly on his phone is an asshat; the guy jamming everybody is even worse.

  2. Re:As a Philadelphian who rides SEPTA Daily... by SJester · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I ride the infamous A train in NYC and my jammer is a relief. I experience much the same - hellfire preachers, drunks pissing on the floor, and stoned thugs arguing about which court they're supposed to be in today. The train is held at the station about once a month for police to search it. My ride is nearly two hours and a jammer makes it a bit quieter. I don't even turn it on for most of the ride; why would I interfere with Words with Friends or a quiet phone call? But when someone starts screaming into their phone they discover there's no service anymore.

  3. passive aggressive much? by Ameryll · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You're also jamming the receipt of said important calls, which the jammer has no knowledge of. For instance, what if there's a doctor on the bus who doesn't get the call saying he's needed in emergency surgery, or there's an undercover cop on the bus watching for trouble (we have undercover cops in Boston for instance) who doesn't get a call saying that he's needed for something.

    Why is the right answer to jam them and everyone around them? Why not walk up to them and ask them to bring the volume down? Why must we resort to under-handed/passive aggressive techniques that affect others that aren't violating the social rules?