The following exchange was with a friend asking about the logistics of jamming
cell phone calls in theatres. It really sparked a lot of conversation among
some friends of mine, primarily in terms of kids in the theatre, which suprised
me. I'll drop that post in a bit.
<Keith> wrote:
Your questions of how to jam phones are valid. Do all cell phones from all
companies work on the same frequencies? If so, it'd be relatively easy to jam
'em. If they use different frequencies, that'd be a little trickier. Assuming
911 calls use the same frequency, they'd be blocked too. Though you could
always alert an usher, or leave the theatre until you enter the "No Jamming
Zone" and use your phone. If there's a health crisis or some jokers fighting
(exactly where are you going to see movies where getting beaten is a
concern???) again, get the ushers, use a pay phone, or find the No Jamming
Zone. I worry less about the latter, as I've been to dozens of movies in the
last year, and haven't seen one fight, seizure, or emergency (knock on wood).
To work practically, 911 would have to use a different frequency, one that
wouldn't get blocked.
Or, we could get really Big Brother-like and get down to a programmable level.
Have every cell phone fitted with programmable chips that could be controlled
by the theatre, and configured to block calls during a movie. The chips could
be programmed to accept and make 911 calls. Not sure we want to go that
route, but it would work and get around the multiple frequency issue, as
control would be at the chip level instead.
Now, if we can dispense with all the minor details, let's look at this
scientific-like. If we forego all the niceties of selective frequency
blocking, and just opt for frying every phone in the area, then I can do that.
All I need is a big car battery (or an electrical outlet), several yards of
wire, some flashing lights (mad-scientist doomdsay devices must have flashing
lights!) and a Jacob's Ladder (that cool contraption with a spark of
electricity travelling up two wires, as seen in all Frankenstein movies).
Oh--and some aluminum foil to protect me and my wife's brains, and, uh, other
body parts. Just in case. Pretty sure I can rig a device with a sufficiently
high EV rating that will generate omni-directional spherical EM waves across a
broad spectrum which will in turn generate an electron surge in every piece of
circuitry in a twenty yard radius, effectively rendering the portable
communication devices, in a word--fried. Of course, it'll also fry every watch
in the area. And PDA's. iPods too. Any pacemakers in the area might skip a few
beats . Some people may experience minor bouts of nausea and dizziness. Couple
cases of blurred vision. One or two folks might pass out. Your popcorn might
get burnt.
But what can you do? I'm talking about restoring civility at the movies!
<Greselda> wrote:
Jamming cell phones is rather severe. First of all, how will it be done? What
type of jamming device will be used? What is the coverage area of the device?
How does one contain the jamming coverage? Even if one is able to jam the
coverage in the actual theater then how does one control service outside the
theater? How does one address 911 calls? That is a really big issue with the
FCC.
So, which is worst, having to listen to someone using his or her cell phone in
the theater or, having silence in the theater but not having the ability to
call for help (911) if you have a heart attack or someone decides the beat the
crap out of you?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
