GPS Jammers Illegal, Dangerous, and Very Easy to Buy

[Councilman]

Please make note as you read the story of the passage that says: " experts say it's only a matter of time until crooks -- and, ominously, terrorists -- in the United States catch on."

Now I don't know a damn thing about the writer John Brandon of Fox News who wrote the story, but don't you think it's just a bit irresponsible to print, tell or other wise talk about anything that could help the bad guys hurt folks? It just gives then Ideas.

I don't think this story should be told until they do away with the manufacturing of this device.

This is sad that a reporter thinks telling the story is more important than being a responsible American.

FOXNews.com - GPS Jammers Illegal, Dangerous, and Very Easy to Buy
By John Brandon- FOXNews.com

An electronic device small enough to fit in a shirt pocket and big enough to conceivably bring down an airplane can be easily purchased over the Internet. All a terrorist needs is a credit card and $49.

With car thieves in the United Kingdom using GPS jammers to aid their getaways, experts say it's only a matter of time until crooks -- and, ominously, terrorists -- in the United States catch on.

Jammers transmit a low-power signal that creates signal noise and fools a GPS receiver into thinking the satellites are not available. They can be used to confuse police and avoid toll charges, and some pranksters use them to nettle unsuspecting iPhone users.

But the real threat is the unknown. Criminals could use them to hide their whereabouts from law enforcement -- and some experts fear terrorists could use high-powered jammers to disrupt GPS reception on an airplane or in military operations.

 

[bhkad]

Please make note as you read the story of the passage that says: " experts say it's only a matter of time until crooks -- and, ominously, terrorists -- in the United States catch on."

Now I don't know a damn thing about the writer John Brandon of Fox News who wrote the story, but don't you think it's just a bit irresponsible to print, tell or other wise talk about anything that could help the bad guys hurt folks? It just gives then Ideas.

I don't think this story should be told until they do away with the manufacturing of this device.

This is sad that a reporter thinks telling the story is more important than being a responsible American.

The bad guy network already knows of this.

 

[Coronado]

Please make note as you read the story of the passage that says: " experts say it's only a matter of time until crooks -- and, ominously, terrorists -- in the United States catch on."

Now I don't know a damn thing about the writer John Brandon of Fox News who wrote the story, but don't you think it's just a bit irresponsible to print, tell or other wise talk about anything that could help the bad guys hurt folks? It just gives then Ideas.

I don't think this story should be told until they do away with the manufacturing of this device.

This is sad that a reporter thinks telling the story is more important than being a responsible American.

Jamming radio waves is hardly a new idea.

 

[Councilman]

Jamming radio waves is hardly a new idea.

Did you know about his specific device and it's easy availability?

Have you heard about any attempt to to shut down it's sale?

Were you aware it has a range capable of interfering with a planes ability to fly a projected course in the proximity of this device?

I guess we can only hope that the right people are working to corral it's manufacture and distribution.

 

[Coronado]

Did you know about his specific device and it's easy availability?

No, but I imagine I could Google it if I were so inclined.

Have you heard about any attempt to to shut down it's sale?

Were you aware it has a range capable of interfering with a planes ability to fly a projected course in the proximity of this device?

I guess we can only hope that the right people are working to corral it's manufacture and distribution.

I would bet my bottom dollar that many different people have been working on a way to defeat GPS for many years. Hasn't the US military been using it to target cruise missiles for about a decade or so? It was only a matter of time before the logical next step of GPS-blocking technology was taken.

 

[ScottD]

Planes flew just fine before GPS. That is what the two people in the cockpit are for.

 

[Dezaad]

Please make note as you read the story of the passage that says: " experts say it's only a matter of time until crooks -- and, ominously, terrorists -- in the United States catch on."

Now I don't know a damn thing about the writer John Brandon of Fox News who wrote the story, but don't you think it's just a bit irresponsible to print, tell or other wise talk about anything that could help the bad guys hurt folks? It just gives then Ideas.

I don't think this story should be told until they do away with the manufacturing of this device.

This is sad that a reporter thinks telling the story is more important than being a responsible American.

I don't know, I think there is a balance here. When something is easily discoverable, maybe its a good idea to get it out there. It gets people motivated to act on fixing the vulnerability.

On the other hand, when it is a complex matter or knowlege that is hidden well, the reality is that we do derive some security from its obscurity. Such things are best not discussed publicly.

 

[braindrain]

You do know that the media has hurt our militarys effectiveness as well as got more of our soldiers killed many times in the past. And I don't mean with general ideas like this. They have told our enemys pretty specific info on some of the best tatics and equipment we use to defeat them

 

[Sir Loin]

Planes flew just fine before GPS. That is what the two people in the cockpit are for.

From the article:
"The risk is low for airplanes, which use ground-based radars for guidance and have a back-up navigation system that does not depend on satellites. Military personnel use a private GPS network. But GPS jamming could nonetheless cause confusion in the cockpit as pilots have to switch to back up navigation systems. And maritime shipments that rely on GPS coordinates for finding port locations could face problems as well."

In addition to old fashioned navigation skills, that all pilots are trained in!

 

[Councilman]

Most all of you have good points to make but the implications go far beyong the GPS that has become a part of Airliner's autopilots.

If one or more of of these units was present and implemented on a battle field they could render the use of J-DAM bombs impotent.

Consider that in the mix of possibilities.

We have to consider all the possibilities don't we?

Just a thought.

 

[Coronado]

Most all of you have good points to make but the implications go far beyong the GPS that has become a part of Airliner's autopilots.

If one or more of of these units was present and implemented on a battle field they could render the use of J-DAM bombs impotent.

Consider that in the mix of possibilities.

We have to consider all the possibilities don't we?

Just a thought.

I would imagine there are already workarounds. They could broadcast on a different frequency, or they could go back to the old fashioned way of sending in a commando to "paint" the target with a laser (that is the way they used to do it, right?).

Anyway, people that are far smarter than either of us are working on it. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

A small localized jammer is not going to do anything vs a Jdam bomb

It will be on a heading to the target long before the jammer is jamming the signal to the Jdam

It would be the larger jammers that I am sure countries like China have already.



Even then the accuracy is probably only diminished to a certain degree, say instead of 4 meters to 20 meters (just guess's)

 

[hazlnut]

Um..... this story was debunked in another forum....
:Oopsie:slapme:

 

[Sir Loin]

Um..... this story was debunked in another forum....
:Oopsie:slapme:

You've been debunked in several forums here, wanna give us a link? You don't mean this "forum" do you? Please do point us to the debunking will you?

http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-media/68402-quick-more-fear.html

 

[Deuce]

You've been debunked in several forums here, wanna give us a link? You don't mean this "forum" do you? Please do point us to the debunking will you?

http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-media/68402-quick-more-fear.html

The jammers don't have the range to affect an aircraft in flight, and on arrival the aircraft typically uses different navigation systems to actually come in to land with. (ILS being the most common)

Even if the GPS failed, the pilots would just switch to a different source. Pretty much the worst thing that can happen would be a plane is forced to go-around and set up for a different approach. Dear lord, this grave threat might cause passengers to miss a connection!

 

[Sir Loin]

The jammers don't have the range to affect an aircraft in flight, and on arrival the aircraft typically uses different navigation systems to actually come in to land with. (ILS being the most common)

Even if the GPS failed, the pilots would just switch to a different source. Pretty much the worst thing that can happen would be a plane is forced to go-around and set up for a different approach. Dear lord, this grave threat might cause passengers to miss a connection!

As RightinNYC said to you in the other (http://www.debatepolitics.com/bias-media/68402-quick-more-fear-2.html#post1058630086 ) thread, from 10 days ago:

Driven to Distraction - Distracted Driving in Ambulances and Police Cruisers - NYTimes.com

Gadgets in Emergency Vehicles Seen as Peril

They are the most wired vehicles on the road, with dashboard computers, sophisticated radios, navigation systems and cellphones. While such gadgets are widely seen as distractions to be avoided behind the wheel, there are hundreds of thousands of drivers — police officers and paramedics — who are required to use them, sometimes at high speeds, while weaving through traffic, sirens blaring. The drivers say the technology is a huge boon for their jobs, saving valuable seconds and providing instant access to essential information. But it also presents a clear risk — even the potential to take a life while they are trying to save one.

Philip Macaluso, a New York paramedic, recalled a moment recently when he was rushing to the hospital while keying information into his dashboard computer. At the last second, he looked up from the control panel and slammed on his brakes to avoid a woman who stepped into the street. “There is a potential for disaster here,” Mr. Macaluso said. Data does not exist about crashes caused by police officers or medics distracted by their devices. But there are tragic anecdotes.

In April 2008, an emergency medical technician in West Nyack, N.Y., looked at his GPS screen, swerved and hit a parked flatbed truck. The crash sheared off the side of the ambulance and left his partner, who was in the passenger seat, paralyzed. In June 2007, a sheriff’s deputy in St. Clair County, Ill., was driving 35 miles per hour when a dispatcher radioed with an assignment. He entered the address into the mapping system and then looked up, too late to avoid hitting a sedan stopped in traffic. Its driver was seriously injured.

The article is talking about cars, not planes, but the concerns it raises about distraction causing accidents are absolutely identical.

It's not "the conservative media bent on drumming up security fears," it's "the media writing scary stories about nonsensical **** because readers slurp it up."

Thanks RNYC.

 

[Orion]

Any device that law enforcement possesses should have a counter measure accessible to the public. If police have machine guns, I should get to have a machine gun. If the police are using GPS to monitor people, I should be able to jam it. The rights of the individual are paramount and I don't care about the minority who are abusing this technology. There will always be abusers. That doesn't mean the public gets cut off.

 

[Deuce]

Any device that law enforcement possesses should have a counter measure accessible to the public. If police have machine guns, I should get to have a machine gun. If the police are using GPS to monitor people, I should be able to jam it. The rights of the individual are paramount and I don't care about the minority who are abusing this technology. There will always be abusers. That doesn't mean the public gets cut off.

The GPS doesn't monitor you. It monitors the location of the police car.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

The GPS doesn't monitor you. It monitors the location of the police car.

They can use it to monitor you as well

Onstar I believe operates using GPS, the police could easily either get a warrant or hack the system to allow them to track you.

 

[Deuce]

They can use it to monitor you as well

Onstar I believe operates using GPS, the police could easily either get a warrant or hack the system to allow them to track you.

"Hack the system." Hah.

Yes, OnStar can be used to locate your vehicle, if the police have a warrant. If they have a warrant, that means a judge has decided there's reason to find your car. Usually this means your car has been stolen.

If you have reason to hide from the police, don't purchase OnStar...

 

[Hoplite]

Please make note as you read the story of the passage that says: " experts say it's only a matter of time until crooks -- and, ominously, terrorists -- in the United States catch on."

Now I don't know a damn thing about the writer John Brandon of Fox News who wrote the story, but don't you think it's just a bit irresponsible to print, tell or other wise talk about anything that could help the bad guys hurt folks? It just gives then Ideas.

Ever hear of Google? One dingus with a camera and a microphone isnt going to give anyone any ideas. Wiki-freakin'-pedia will give you more information about bad ideas than any news story.

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosives]Explosive material - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

I don't think this story should be told until they do away with the manufacturing of this device.

This is sad that a reporter thinks telling the story is more important than being a responsible American.

It's the responsibility of a reporter to report the truth, regardless of what it is.