Cell Phone Jamming Devices Enjoy an Increase In Popularity

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?"

Comments

Re:I approve

[stanlyb]

So, you would not mind if he lights on a cigarette? It is his right to smoke, right? Am i right i mean? Which means that you are left. Oh, nevermind.

Re:Difference between smoke and conversation

[hazah]

No it has not.

Re:As a Philadelphian who rides SEPTA Daily...

[celle]

"If you've got an issue with a particular person talking on her phone,"

    If you don't like it, stop listening. The only control you have is of yourself. Don't like someone talking, then stop listening/snooping into their life. Don't be an arrogant jerk and harass them.

Re:I approve

[g0bshiTe]

Why yes, cause apparently it was small enough for him to carry on his person which most likely the range is 10m or less that's about 32 feet.

Re:You are not more important than others.

[Anonymous Coward]

Good, I hope all of those suicidal people grow some nuts and actually do kill themselves. The world doesn't need whiny, weaklings like that. "Oh poor me, I better threaten to kill myself for the attention!"

Re:passive aggressive much?

[19thNervousBreakdown]

People are allowed to talk, or make whatever noise they want to in public.

No they aren't. If it's excessive it's a breach of the peace.

So you're calling somebody speaking on the cell phone a breach of the peace? Man, I thought I excessively used hyperbole.

Which includes buses.

No it doesn't. Despite the fact that they're called "public transport" they're legally more like a bar or shopping mall, in so much as you're only allowed on them with the consent of the operator and under certain conditions. Usually there's a clause about not disturbing other passengers.

And man, there's nothing that ruins my good time at a bar or shopping mall like some asshole yammering away on their cell phone. I mean yeah, legally there's nothing I can do about it since the owners don't even care enough about it to put up a sign like they do in a theater let alone ask somebody to stop, but illegally, I can get a cell phone jammer and stop that rat fuck from ... talking. God. It's just so annoying. All those people, talking to each other, sometimes when they're not even physically next to each other! The nerve!