Radio Frequency (RF) Jammers - Revision history

Clrorick at 22:01, 5 May 2009

2009-05-05T22:01:59Z

Clrorick: /* How It's Done */

2009-05-05T21:55:04Z

‎How It's Done

Adams14: /* Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers */

2006-10-04T02:53:18Z

‎Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers

Adams14: /* What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer */

2006-10-04T02:06:11Z

‎What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer

Adams14: /* Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers */

2006-10-04T02:05:29Z

‎Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers

Adams14: /* In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used? */

2006-10-04T01:59:27Z

‎In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used?

Adams14: /* In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used? */

2006-10-04T01:58:35Z

‎In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used?

Adams14: /* What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer */

2006-09-22T01:25:50Z

‎What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer

Adams14: /* What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer */

2006-09-22T01:24:16Z

‎What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer

Adams14: /* What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer */

2006-09-22T01:01:15Z

‎What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:01, 5 May 2009
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		+	A '''Radio Frequency (RF) Jammer''' is a device used to disrupt or prevent communication via a broadcasted RF signal.
		+
	== The Basics of Cell Phone Jamming ==		== The Basics of Cell Phone Jamming ==
	Cell phones work by communicating with a service network through the utilization of cellular towers or base stations. Individual towers partition cities into small sections called cells. As a cell phone user traverses the cells in an area, the signal is passed from tower to tower.		Cell phones work by communicating with a service network through the utilization of cellular towers or base stations. Individual towers partition cities into small sections called cells. As a cell phone user traverses the cells in an area, the signal is passed from tower to tower.

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 As cellular telephones are full-duplex devices utilizing two separate frequencies (one for talking, one for listening, where all parties to a call can talk at the same time as opposed to half-duplex walkie-talkies and CBs), any removal of one of these frequencies tricks the phone into thinking there is no cellular service. Consequently, the jammer need only block one of the frequencies.
-The less complex jammers can only block a specific frequency group while the more complex jammers can block several different networks thus preventing dual- or tri-mode phones from switching to a different network with an open signal. Jammers are able to broadcast on any frequency and can interrupt AMPS, CDMA, TDMA, GSM, PCS, DCS, iDEN and Nextel systems. The effective range of a jammer is dependent upon the strength of its power source and the immediate pysical environment (hills or walls which may block the jamming signal). Lower powered jammers have a call-block range of about 30 feet while higher power units can create a cellular signal-free zone about the size of a football field. In addition, certain units applied by law enforcement have been known to shut down cellular service approximately 1 mile from the jamming device.
+The less complex jammers can only block a specific frequency group while the more complex jammers can block several different networks thus preventing dual- or tri-mode phones from switching to a different network with an open signal. Jammers are able to broadcast on any frequency and can interrupt [[AMPS]], [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]], [[GSM]], [[PCS]], [[DCS]], [[iDEN]] and Nextel systems. The effective range of a jammer is dependent upon the strength of its power source and the immediate pysical environment (hills or walls which may block the jamming signal). Lower powered jammers have a call-block range of about 30 feet while higher power units can create a cellular signal-free zone about the size of a football field. In addition, certain units applied by law enforcement have been known to shut down cellular service approximately 1 mile from the jamming device.
 == What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:53, 4 October 2006
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	== Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers ==		== Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers ==
−	The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries have determined that cell-phone blocking is illegal. Explicitly, the United States calls upon the Communications Act of 1934 to enforce such a law as it prevents people from "willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized." Furthermore, manufacturing, importing, and advertising RF jamming devices.	+	The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries have determined that cell-phone blocking is illegal. Explicitly, the United States calls upon the Communications Act of 1934 to enforce such a law as it prevents people from "willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized." Furthermore, manufacturing, importing, and advertising RF jamming devices is also considered illegal.
		+
		+	To explain, jamming is actually seen as property theft because a private company has purchased the rights to a particular portion of the radio spectrum. Simply put, jamming that frequency is seen as stealing the private property of that company. Secondly, RF jamming is seen as a safety hazard as it could potentially block important and urgent phone calls, such as calls for police or an ambulance.
		+
		+	The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces the jamming laws but has yet to actually prosecute anyone. However, if convicted, first-offense penalties could include:
		+	1. Up to $11,000 fine.
		+	2. One year imprisonment.
		+	3. Seizure of device.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:06, 4 October 2006
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	'''Power Supply''' -- Smaller jamming devices may use batteries while larger and more power-intensive devices can be plugged into a standard outlet or connected through the electrical system of a vehicle.		'''Power Supply''' -- Smaller jamming devices may use batteries while larger and more power-intensive devices can be plugged into a standard outlet or connected through the electrical system of a vehicle.
−
−

	== In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used? ==		== In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used? ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:05, 4 October 2006
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	== Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers ==		== Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers ==
		+	The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries have determined that cell-phone blocking is illegal. Explicitly, the United States calls upon the Communications Act of 1934 to enforce such a law as it prevents people from "willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized." Furthermore, manufacturing, importing, and advertising RF jamming devices.

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 == In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used? ==
-Originally developed for law enforcement and military, RF jammers have been mainly used to disrupt the communications of criminals and terrorists. One of the most useful applications has been to use RF jammers to prevent the use of cell-phone activated bombs in subways, airports, and presidential motorcades. Furthermore, in hostage situations, police can use RF jammers to place controls on when and where the criminal can make a call. In drug raids, jammers can be used to prevent outside communication.
+Originally developed for law enforcement and military, RF jammers have been mainly used to disrupt the communications of criminals and terrorists. One of the most useful applications has been to use RF jammers to prevent the use of cell-phone activated bombs in subways, airports, and the routes of presidential motorcades. Furthermore, in hostage situations, police can use RF jammers to place controls on when and where the criminal can make a call. In drug raids, jammers can be used to prevent outside communication.
 Finally, corporations have also been known to use RF jammers to prevent corporate espionage by blocking voice and image transmissions from camera-enabled phones.
 == Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 22 September 2006
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	'''Power Supply''' -- Smaller jamming devices may use batteries while larger and more power-intensive devices can be plugged into a standard outlet or connected through the electrical system of a vehicle.		'''Power Supply''' -- Smaller jamming devices may use batteries while larger and more power-intensive devices can be plugged into a standard outlet or connected through the electrical system of a vehicle.
		+
		+
		+
		+	== In Which Legal Situations are RF Jammers Used? ==
		+
		+
		+	== Legal Issues of Using RF Jammers ==

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 == What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer ==
 RF jammers are fairly simplistic devices. The most simple jammers have only an on/off switch and an LED signifying power to the unit. The more complex devices contain switches or dials that allow the user to select the frequencies desired for jamming. The components which can be located in every jammer include:
-• Antenna -- The antenna transmits the jammers interrupting signal. Certain jammers contain an internal antenna while others have external antennas which give the user a longer range to broadcast the signal and more control over frequency tuning.

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:01, 22 September 2006
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	== What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer ==		== What's Inside a Cell Phone Jammer ==
		+	RF jammers are fairly simplistic devices. The most simple jammers have only an on/off switch and an LED signifying power to the unit. The more complex devices contain switches or dials that allow the user to select the frequencies desired for jamming. The components which can be located in every jammer include:
		+	• Antenna -- The antenna transmits the jammers interrupting signal. Certain jammers contain an internal antenna while others have external antennas which give the user a longer range to broadcast the signal and more control over frequency tuning.