The Genii Forum

Has anyone ever thought of obtaining a radio blocker to carry around to use in impromptu situations,

The mentalist concentrates on a radio and suddenly the signal breaks up until the mentalist relaxes their mind.

A lot of electrical equipment can be converted into a portable radio blocker, which is smalll and easy to use

Whadya reckon?

Yes..it's been done...there's even a device out to interupt cell phone.

What do those devices do to pacemakers?

opie

Hello Opie!
Nice to see you back! Are you asking if the person useing it has a pacemaker? Or the audience?

I was just concerned that some of those blockers might affect somebody's pacemaker. My mother has one, and she is not supposed to be around things that put out microwaves.

Radio Shack has a cute little remote-controlled car which has the pocket-size transmitter and everything for twenty bucks. For a two-people demonstration, one could have the transmitter in his pocket and the other have the little car in the pocket. When the transmitter is clicked, the wheels turn on the car. You can buy a similar device from a psychic dealer for hundreds of dollars. Plus, I am not sure about the potential damage the transmitter might have on pacemakers.

I would sure hate to kill somebody I didn't want to kill...hehe

opie

well... there goes the nobel prize


bollocks :confused:

It is illegal to use, or manufacture, a device to jam or disrupt radio frequencies in the U.S.

Yes, but we are talking "really" low power xmitters and for entertainment purposes. I purchased my first one through an ad from the back of a Popular Science magazine when I was a kid. No worse then an electric drill or and electric fence.

I believe the fine can be up to $10,000. The marketed Cell Phone blockers can affect areas up to several blocks. Why take chances?

Conus is correct. It's illegal in the United States to use the cell phone blockers. The relevant statute refers to "intentional interference." If it could be proved you used anything, even a drill, to intentionally interfere with radio signals, then that could incur a 10,000 dollar fine and up to one year in jail. Intentional interference is a felony!

I am aware of one prosecution that lead to a 10,000 dollar fine, although this person was an amateur radio operator and he was jamming other people while they tried to communicate.

The FCC has insufficient personnel to enforce this law, and a short range transmitter probably wouldnt be noticed, unless the person doing this had an act such that they became known for interfering with radios!

Theres another issue. Suppose the short range transmitter interferes with an emergency phone call in the next room. Granted, its unlikely, but it could happen. It brings to mind those teenage kids in Florida who are serving long jail terms for stealing a stop sign, which subsequently lead to the death of a motorist.

With the exception of certain frequency ranges and power levels specified in Part 97 of FCC regulations, unlicensed transmissions on a clear channel is also illegal. I'm not sure of the maximum legal penalty in this case, but I do know the FCC does NOT need a search warrant to enter a house or building and to impound an illegal transmitter. This is not a new law, it has been this way for over 25 years.

I am not aware that the FCC has suspended the (admittedly swiss cheesed) constitutional right to require a warrant for search and siezure. Could you please point me to a section of the FCC rules that detail how they have the right to enter a residence or business and search without a warrent? Last I heard they would get a warrent issued by some part of the Justice department (such as the FBI) for conducting a search. And I've only heard of this being done for extreme cases, since as noted above the FCC doesn't have a lot of staff.

Anyhow, about the magic aspect of this: I believe Steven Minch published a radio interference trick in his booklet Mind & Matter years ago. Nowadays, IMHO, such tricks are less likely to awe people in a generation used to radio transmitters (garage door openers, cell phones, etc.) and interference (portable phones, etc.).

Originally posted by opie:
I was just concerned that some of those blockers might affect somebody's pacemaker. My mother has one, and she is not supposed to be around things that put out microwaves.

Radio Shack has a cute little remote-controlled car which has the pocket-size transmitter and everything for twenty bucks. For a two-people demonstration, one could have the transmitter in his pocket and the other have the little car in the pocket. When the transmitter is clicked, the wheels turn on the car.

opie

I can't go into detail (for obvious reasons) but there is someone here in the New England area that's done exactly what you're saying Opie (I guess great minds think alike). They're using the "little car" along the lines of a "Thumper" signal... it's a bit more complicated than that, but I can't tip everything.

I do recall, about 20-years ago, an ad in Genii for a means by which to cause a Tv Screen to go static... some guy on the east coast was selling it.

I'm not certain I'm following the thing about Legal Searches and Warrants but, as I understand it, if "Probable Cause" exists, no warrant is needed. Add to this today's paranoia with the so-called "Patriot" Act, etc. any aspect of law enforcement essentially has the right to nail you anytime and anyway they wish.... MASSIVE LOOP HOLES now days.

Another thought on this... given the paranoia and ignorance that's so amuck in our present world, getting caught with such a device COULD place you on a "Watch List" at minimum, if not get you tossed in a far away prison as a potential terrorist (especially if your political views run contrary to the current administration.)

It's something to think about, know what I mean?