There has been chatter about phone zombies on a few threads. I was wondering about people that live in countries that allow cell phone blockers and their experiences with them if any. Here in the US, the cell phone companies have paid off all the politicians to disallow blockers but property rights get trampled in the mean time. A quick google search warns of steep FCC fines yet I see them sold on the net anyway. Any comment? Anyone ever use one ?
Friends and I have built a signal blocker before (just the proof of concept, not an actual deployed device) but it is not permitted to use them. The design experiment worked for the test purpose, there was spotty signal within the close proximity (like 30-45 inches).
Some places use them in a professional manner, like penitentiaries or high security facilities.
Myself as well. Swept through cell phone frequency pairs. A few milliwatts went a long way. As with you, it was proof of concept for me. I’m an electronics enthusiast and I do stupid stuff like this just to see if I can do it.
Cheers
It was either North or South Carolina this spring that had a prison riot. Some inmates had contraband phones. The law there prevented them from blocking the signal and press reports said the law needed to be changed. Ya think?
I have heard that in certain EU countries , churches and maybe classrooms can use them . Not sure.
I have a friend who’s hobby is reviewing movies. He uses the blocker every time he goes to the theater. I’ve gone with him before and can tell you it works throughout the entire theater. Nobody gets a cell signal in the room.
That is a very bad idea and your friend is just as selfish and more in the wrong than the people using their phones, as he is potentially compromising public safety for the enjoyment of his personal hobby.
KuoH
BS, people can get up off their selfish lazy asses and go out in the hallway to use their phones, and leave everyone in peace to watch the movie they just paid 12 dollars to see.
Kuoh is right. Lets say there is a terrorist attack in the theater and someone needs to make a call. Or a doctor is in the audience and one of his patients needs him. Or a child needs their parents that are in the theater. Or, or, or…. You still call BS?
Yes. How did we ever survive without cell phones and internet for an hour and a half.
I’m going to have to agree with RobertB. There is no legitimate need for a cell phone in a movie theater. None whatsoever. If you’re worried about terrorist attacks, carry a gun, not a phone. If a doctor needs to be on call, he shouldn’t be in a movie theater. If a child needs their parents, they should already be with them, not a phone call away.
My main concern is in the workplace . People that should be paying attention that can’t stay off their phones. Distracted drivers are another issue.
Hi, please be careful to avoid controversy and arguments with this topic.
I was in Germany not too long ago on business. I was constantly warned by colleague’s not to use my phone while driving. Steep fines will result if the police see you using your phone.
Seems to me a doctor is much more likely to be in his or her car when on call.
I suppose the person having the heart attack waiting on the heart specialist should just up and die so you and your buddy can get your $12 of enjoyment without missing a single minute? If we continue with that line of reasoning, then nobody should be allowed to get up and cross your field of view after the movie has started. If they have to go to the bathroom, then they should’ve thought of that before going in!?
KuoH
Sometimes the on call may not be available due to other emergencies or a large scale emergency may require all off duty personnel who may not otherwise have been expected to be available.
This is not just about doctors and nurses, it applies to police, ems, military and even ordinary citizens like you and me. Let’s say a child or spouse got into an accident and an immediate, but high risk medical procedure requiring consent from the next of kin is required, but they happen to be unknowingly sitting near someone using a jammer. Is it fair to say they should’ve thought of that before going to a movie, sports event, play or even a restaurant? After all, if one’s allowed to jam everyone’s cellphone to enjoy a movie, why can’t someone else do the same to enjoy their meal or walk in the park? It’s not as cut and dried as you think, which is why there are laws governing public safety of which this particular use is in breach of, at least in the US.
KuoH
you should be able to block signal at your house, butt not a public venue
Oh please… lol… The theater has every right to kick you out if you are caught using your phone. They even flash across the screen before the movie starts “PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES”
You’re deflecting the point and I for one am not laughing. This is not about allowing everyone to use their phones freely in a theater, but illegally preventing legitimate use during emergency situations. You and your buddy seem to have this belief that there’s no justification to allowing cellphone reception in a theater and I’m just providing some counter examples.
I would not have a problem if a theater wants to legally block all cellphone use and puts up appropriate signage stating such. The patrons would then have the information to make an informed decision before entering. What your friend is doing is not public knowledge, unless he’s dressed in a neon yellow safety vest with large lettering stating “cellphone jammer” in use, which denies the general public the necessary information to make that decision.
Again, if we were to extend this reasoning to everyone, then everyone has the right to jam everyone else simply because they feel their freedom of enjoyment should trump that of the general public and we can easily see how that would turn out. This is why the FCC does not allow RF jamming of any kind, except by the military, which have their own set of rules, which sometimes does violate the freedoms of the general public.
KuoH
Yes. Ban cell phones across the facility. Land-lines only.
Time to get up from the computer and go outside folks.
Ignoring SB56637 ’s warning is not wise…….