Cell Phone Jamming Devices Enjoy an Increase In Popularity 805
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?"
Re:negative effect (Score:5, Informative)
In fictional settings, people retain enough dexterity to dial a phone while having a stroke.
Re:I approve (Score:1, Informative)
What you do is put in some earplugs and ignore them. Not act like a passive aggressive douche and block communication for everyone. This just in: you have no right to not be annoyed.
Re:I approve (Score:4, Informative)
I don't understand why people think they must be able to talk on the phone everywhere.
The worst place is in a public restroom. I've seen people sit down in one of the stalls and carry on a conversation all the while they're vacating themselves, complete with grunts, groans and other bodily noises. Another time, a guy was singing along with his music that he was playing over his phone speakers.
Re:Difference between smoke and conversation (Score:4, Informative)
I agree, short cell call at reasonable volume is not a problem. What is a problem is 45 minutes of someone shouting into their phone. Which I get about twice a week on my commute.
Re:I approve (Score:4, Informative)
I still haven't figured out a way to stop those engines, but I'm working on it...
Sodium silicate in the engine oil before you leave. The access panel's at the back and usually just has a couple of unsecured latches.
Re:I approve (Score:3, Informative)
Funnily enough, I did actually make a private 911 call on a bus once, with the intention that at least the bus driver wouldn't know: I was calling the police to tell them the bus driver had just busted a red light, had mounted the sidewalk earlier and seemed to be incompetent, tired or otherwise incapacitated.
Re:I approve (Score:4, Informative)
You would still need a clear sign indicating that cellphones will not work in the theater... and people like me wouldn't be able to go (I'm on call 24/7and have my phone on vibrate)
A less intrusive solution would be to have a friendly bluetooth or wifi signal that indicated that "This area is a vibrate only area" and get the cellphone manufacturers on-board. Then the theater could set your phone to vibrate for you if you let them. This would let people like me, who HAVE to have their phone with them at all times, still go to the movies.