NYPD explores cell phone jamming

[datainmotion]

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NYPD is examining ways to shut down cell phone calls in and around future hostage-taking scenarios without also shutting down the communications devices of the police trying to rescue them, Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a congressional hearing yesterday.

http://www.policeone.com/police-pro...amming-during-terror-attacks-hostage-takings/

 

[Hooligan]

I have some familiarity with at least older versions of these jammer products, and for better or worse, they're just broadband 800MHz white-noise emitters. Yes, they jammed 800MHz analog & digital cell phones, but they also jammed Nextels and 800MHz trunked radios, too! Definitely not something you'd want members of the public to be able to own/use, and potentially problematic for any LEA use, unless the user didn't care about other 800/900MHz users in the immediate vicinity.

 

[avguy]

Aren't jammers completely illegal according to federal law?

 

[chrismol1]

Aren't jammers completely illegal according to federal law?

but its the NYPD

 

[wlmr]

but its the NYPD

The NYPD isn't Federal. The Feds are the ONLY exceptions to this.

 

[iMONITOR]

They'll probably end up jamming their own radio system in the process!

 

[SCPD]

Thinking outside the box

I have some familiarity with at least older versions of these jammer products, and for better or worse, they're just broadband 800MHz white-noise emitters. Yes, they jammed 800MHz analog & digital cell phones, but they also jammed Nextels and 800MHz trunked radios, too! Definitely not something you'd want members of the public to be able to own/use, and potentially problematic for any LEA use, unless the user didn't care about other 800/900MHz users in the immediate vicinity.

I find it interesting that someone in the NYPD would'nt just think to have some VHF or UHF handhelds on hand to use when they are in a situation where they want to jam cell phones. I mean, what's the max they would need, about a dozen?

 

[SCPD]

Replying to my own post

I find it interesting that someone in the NYPD would'nt just think to have some VHF or UHF handhelds on hand to use when they are in a situation where they want to jam cell phones. I mean, what's the max they would need, about a dozen?

I guess I should of looked in the database before I posted this yesterday. If NYPD and FDNY are on UHF, like the database says, cell phone jammers will not affect their comms at all. Or is there a 800 mhz system I didn't see?

 

[iMONITOR]

I guess I should of looked in the database before I posted this yesterday. If NYPD and FDNY are on UHF, like the database says, cell phone jammers will not affect their comms at all. Or is there a 800 mhz system I didn't see?

Their new system is supposed to be on the 800 band, if they ever get it working.

 

[kb2vxa]

From what I've heard the jammers only block the control channel, no need to throw RF all over the band. 800MHz is being phased out which brings to mind rebanding, then even if they do keep limited operation the jammers will have to be adjusted for the new frequencies. Then I wonder about those low microwave bands, it gets curiouser and curiouser. So are we watching NYPD Blue or Starsky and Hutch? Hmmm, it'll probably end up like Cheech and Chong, Up In Smoke.

When you consider pipe dreams first you give some thought to what you put in the pipe.

 

[James_Bond_007]

Jammers are completely illegal in most countries including the USA even for government agencies to use.

But then again when does the US government obey it's own laws (Radio/TV Marti Comes to mind).

I could go on and on.

 

[wlmr]

From what I've heard the jammers only block the control channel, no need to throw RF all over the band. 800MHz is being phased out which brings to mind rebanding, then even if they do keep limited operation the jammers will have to be adjusted for the new frequencies. Then I wonder about those low microwave bands, it gets curiouser and curiouser. So are we watching NYPD Blue or Starsky and Hutch? Hmmm, it'll probably end up like Cheech and Chong, Up In Smoke.

When you consider pipe dreams first you give some thought to what you put in the pipe.

Most of the jammers available take out the whole 800 MHz band. (Surgical prescision costs waaaaay more.) Where did you find info that says cell phones or public safety radio is phasing out 800MHz? There's a bunch of reshuffling to deal with Nextel being in the middle of the band but the cell phone companies aren't changing their frequencies at all.

I'd hate to be the first police dept to get dragged into the courtroom because little Johnny started into convulsions at a bus stop and died while Mom couldn't call 911 on her cell phone near an area where the PD were blocking cell signals during some sort of operation. Hypothetical example but the law of averages would up the chances if more jammers were available.

 

[slicerwizard]

From what I've heard the jammers only block the control channel,

You make it sound like any given area is served by only one control channel.

 

[chrismol1]

But then again when does the US government obey it's own laws (Radio/TV Marti Comes to mind).

exactly

 

[poltergeisty]

Database

I'll throw my idea out here. :lol:

It's simple! A lot of cell phones and mobile devices now use GPS or other RF type geoloaction. In the coming years devices that use the new C-Block spectrum of the TV band will be required to have built in geoloaction ability. This allows the device to report its location to a FCC/FED database and the frequencies this device uses will not interfere with other devices in this range.
Now, taking from that approach you can uses a database to turn off cell phones/mobile devices in the crises area with a database.

Anyone ready to buy more tinfoil in the coming years?

 

[zz0468]

From what I've heard the jammers only block the control channel, no need to throw RF all over the band.

The jammers being sold to consumers are broad band devices that can take out the entire band. A jammer that takes out only the control channel would be a pretty sophisticated device, and probably require a trained operator.

 

[ka3jjz]

FYI this technology is being explored for the Inauguration, for obvious reasons 73 Mike

 

[kb2vxa]

So instead of white noise we'll be hearing black noise? (;->)

 

[Fowler]

The system that was described to me did no jamming. It acted as its own cell site which covered the area involved. Each cell phone within the area would lock on its control channel when they pinged. They could allow which cells they wanted i.e. law enforcement on scene to have service and all others no service. The problem being was the no 911 capability for innocent bystanders in the area affected. They were working on that by allowing 911 calls only for anyone in the area.

 

[N_Jay]

The system that was described to me did no jamming. It acted as its own cell site which covered the area involved. Each cell phone within the area would lock on its control channel when they pinged. They could allow which cells they wanted i.e. law enforcement on scene to have service and all others no service. The problem being was the no 911 capability for innocent bystanders in the area affected. They were working on that by allowing 911 calls only for anyone in the area.

Which system?
Described where?

The lobbyists from the cell blocking company are now working on congress to change the law.