# Are there any normal devices which will block cell phone signals? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 23, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811 "2011-08-23T19:31:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/42 "2012-06-03T23:50:50Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > Every time someone on the Dope ignores the original question for pedantics, Cecil kills a smart person. No relation to any recent posts; I just wanted to quote this again. It should be stickied in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/43 "2012-06-04T17:24:17Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I’d use a combination of Scary Dad Voice (slapping the table for emphasis)… > > and bribery. “Hey, there’s ice cream for anyone who doesn’t bring their phone to the table”. I’d change the bribery bit. “Hey, there’s room at the table and food for anyone who doesn’t bring their phone to the table…” ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/44 "2012-06-04T17:26:45Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > To answer the people asking why it’s a personal insult: > > Because, as you are well aware, your comment is calling him a bad parent for not doing things the way you would, and thus is a comment on his character. This is GQ, and the point of this forum is to answer the question given and not to comment on the poster’s character. > > Stop being disingenuous. I think you’re reading too much into the ‘insult’ thing. Saying somebody is a fuckup isn’t calling them a bad parent. The words ‘bad parent’ mean that a person is a bad parent. A good parent can play the fool and still be a good parent. You’re putting words into somebody’s mouth. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/45 "2012-06-04T17:30:57Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Oh my god! You guys are geniuses! In my 15 years of parenting I never thought to tell my children No! Wow! I tried it tonight and the kids all said in unison, “Ok, Daddiekins, whatever we can do to make you happy.” Then after dinner they sung “So Long, Farewell” from the Sound of Music as they went bed one at a time. It was so cute!!!111! > > I have a feeling the snarky comments are from people who aren’t parents of tweens. Yes, asking for cell phones to be turned off does work. And guess what? It’s actually the method currently in place in the Filmore household. However, it leads to lots of grumbling and a less than enjoyable family dinner time. > > But hey, thanks to everyone who decided to derail this into a thread about parenting methods. I think we learned a lot. I don’t think you kept up the family singing long enough. Have you tried a group rendition of “Do, a dear, a female dear?” If you need anymore family advice, don’t hesitate to ask me. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/46 "2012-06-04T17:53:01Z")
Also how strong is the signal in your home, if it’s 4 bars or something it may be harder to block then one bar. Not that blocking one bar is going to be easy but strong signal may be impossible to passively block. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/47 "2012-06-04T18:04:47Z")
According to a handy-dandy internet chart, the 1/4wave of 2GHz (2000 MHz) is 3.75cm; so a cage of metal chicken wire mesh, grounded, should block any signals. Thi is easily tested by putting a child in your back yard chicken coop for an hour and see what reception they get. Next time you happen to have all the drywall in the dining room ripped out, put a layer of chicken wire in before the new drywall. Or use foil wallpaper under the regular wallpaper. Don’t forget to paper the doors and ground through the hinges. I’m not sure if the reflective auto window tint is conductive, but if so it would also conveniently keep the glare from outside light down. When I worked at a large computer center, they remodelled the 70’s computer room where teh big IBM mainframe used to be - under the acoustic tile all over the walls, they found a layer of lead sheet. Not sure why lead, except that it was easy to shape. In the pre-FCC-cert days, I suspect it was to prevent EM noise signal getting out, not in. Another trick would be to make everyone put their cellphone in the microwave during dinner… ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/48 "2012-06-04T18:53:44Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > No relation to any recent posts; I just wanted to quote this again. > > It should be stickied in GQ. Shouldnt we just shoot the one making the pedantic comment ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811/49 "2012-06-04T19:16:39Z")
Since many of the responses to the question are unsuitable for GQ, and I don’t really feel like handing out a few dozen mod notes, I’m going to close this. If the OP feels the factual aspect of this has not be adequately covered, he may open a new one. It would be best not to include discussion of the specific reason for it, in order not to give an opening to inappropriate comments. Colibri General Questions Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-normal-devices-which-will-block-cell-phone-signals/593811.md?page=2)