# Technology triumphs over the self-absorbed putz! Cell phone jammers! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 17, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738 "2004-10-17T23:56:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/21 "2004-10-18T13:31:01Z")
My point is that jamming all cell-phones can cause harm. What did people do before cell-phones? Yes, perhaps they contacted the theater manager - my local theater’s manager is a 17 year old half-wit who can’t comprehend how to make change if he punches in the wrong amount tendered on his register. I in no way trust him to come find me in his 18 theater multiplex. And wouldn’t it be more disruptive to have him walk into the theater and walk each aisle calling my name? I was a luddite myself. I avoided getting a cell phone for years because I didn’t want an electronic leash. But the day my baby swallowed one of Grandma’s blood pressure pills while I was taking a final was the day I decided I needed to be more responsible and be able to get hold of. It took campus security over two hours to come find me (even though they had my schedule and room number!), by which time the hospital had declared it an emergency and went ahead and treated him without parental consent. He was in danger of death, and had I had a cell-phone, I could have talked to my little guy and kept him calm and gotten there literally hours earlier. Legislation or mechanical measures that don’t really address the issue just bug me. The problem isn’t cell-phone use, persay, it’s ignorant assholes who let their phones ring and talk on it when it’s inappropriate. I put it on silent, I look at the caller, and I quietly leave the room before answering it. What the fuck am I doing wrong, and why should I be punished for some other moron’s actions? All I’m saying is, put up a sign. Then I have a choice of whether to continue to do business with you. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/22 "2004-10-18T14:17:03Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I was a luddite myself. I avoided getting a cell phone for years because I didn’t want an electronic leash. But the day my baby swallowed one of Grandma’s blood pressure pills while I was taking a final was the day I decided I needed to be more responsible and be able to get hold of. It took campus security over two hours to come find me (even though they had my schedule and room number!), by which time the hospital had declared it an emergency and went ahead and treated him without parental consent. He was in danger of death, and had I had a cell-phone, I could have talked to my little guy and kept him calm and gotten there literally hours earlier. I’m in the same boat. I’m a student, and while the daycare has my schedule on file, there are days when class is moved or cancelled. Instead of making them look for me in the student union, the radio station, or the library, or God knows where else I could be, it’s MUCH easier if I give them one number and leave it at that. Ditto for Gramma or anyone else who might be taking care of my son. Robin ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/23 "2004-10-18T14:31:32Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Surprisingly, the armageddon did not come before the advent of cell phones, even though there were emergencies. A good emergency plan for doctors and volunteer firemen has a checkdown list, in case the fireman or doctor is in the subway, or is otherwise immediately unavailable. Granted, but shouldn’t effective use of readily available technology be part of any emergency plan? There would be no need for jammers at all if people just showed consideration in the use of mobile technology. Having jammers equates to making the whole class stay behind because of one idiot. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/24 "2004-10-18T14:33:13Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Surprisingly, the armageddon did not come before the advent of cell phones, even though there were emergencies. A good emergency plan for doctors and volunteer firemen has a checkdown list, in case the fireman or doctor is in the subway, or is otherwise immediately unavailable. No, the world did not end. But the fact is, it’s a better, faster, more direct way to reach people. If you’re on the operating table when an “oops” happens, you will be awfully darn glad that the doctor can reach the best specialist immediately via phone… Not having to go down some phone tree or relying on some theatre manager to turn up the house lights and turn off his jamming gizmo. When I have been disturbed by cellphone use, the offenders do not appear to be people taking emergency calls of a professional or familial nature. Of course, I can’t say for sure, but judging by their behavior during and after the phone calls, they’re not getting a phone call about a chemical spill on I-95 or the news that the donated organ is on its way. Many cellphone users are responsible about using silent mode and excusing themselves before taking a call. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/25 "2004-10-18T14:33:36Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > What did people do in the days before cellphones? Did emergencies go unattended? Of course not, we had different ways of contacting people, like calling the restaurant or theater directly. The primary difference here is that nobody would try to call you unless it were a true emergency. > > OTOH, if some crank wants to jam everyone’s phone in his vicinity, that ain’t right. Reserve this sort of thing for theaters, restaurants, churches, or similar places that desire a quiet atmosphere (and don’t have it), and make sure you have signs up. Dont know about anywhere else in the world, you call the phone numbers listed for the local movie theaters here do an announce only of movies and showings. Deucedly difficult to get a live person unless you get lucky and know someone who works at one and can give you a number that would get answered by a live person. If I do catch someone using a jammer in my vicinity, they will be getting a quick visit from the local cops and the FCC. It is simple enough to report offenders to theater management and I have had people asked to leave the theater by management on my behalf. Honestly, I don’t understand why people are not willing to tell someone directly to please stop conversing loudly/using a cell phone/having a screaming child and then complaining their experece was ruined because they hadn’t the balls to object up front and in person. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/26 "2004-10-18T14:34:05Z")
You know, there’s another innovation that would take care of people who talk on cellphones, as well as people who otherwise disturb others (such as talking in movies, being disruptive in church, or whatever). This amazing innovation is called an “usher.” For some reason, most establishments and institutions feel no need to invest in this “usher” thing for the comfort and convenience of their patrons. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/27 "2004-10-18T14:53:59Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Honestly, I don’t understand why people are not willing to tell someone directly to please stop conversing loudly/using a cell phone/having a screaming child and then complaining their experece was ruined because they hadn’t the balls to object up front and in person. I always seem to see “man hacked up by machete for asking dude to stop talking during movie” stories on CNN. Of course I when I need a link, I can’t find diddly. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/28 "2004-10-18T15:09:44Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I always seem to see “man hacked up by machete for asking dude to stop talking during movie” stories on CNN. Of course I when I need a link, I can’t find diddly. No machete, but this did stun the heck out of us when it happened here. I’d link to the paper, but our online version of the paper only holds stories for a few weeks. Here, Mr. Cranky (um, no relation) republished the piece. [http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/eternalsunshineofthespotlessmind/84.html](http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/eternalsunshineofthespotlessmind/84.html) ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/29 "2004-10-18T15:13:31Z")
Everyone who has a cell phone for “emergencies” needs to understand something. Cell phone companies do not support cells that don’t work within buildings. Why does everyone always tout out the “it’s for emergency calls!” when talking about using a cell inside a public or private building? When I was in the hell pit that is Customer Service, I’d get, without fail, several dozen calls a week about shit like this. You people need to get a better “emergency contact” system in place. Cells ARE NOT GUARENTEED to work witihin a building. They are not GUARENTEED to work within your own house. STOP defending using cell phones as “emergency only” phones. Cell phones are great for general calls but there’s nothing about cell technology that makes them particularly good in emergencies. Calls get missed, phones get damaged, and when a national emergency occurs cells are the first to go down. Our local airport (GTAA) doesn’t even have an on site cell tower. Calls cannot (in general) get placed at our airport. Nor did I get any signal while inside Ikea the other day. Many of the theaters I’ve been to also don’t have internal transmitters for cells either. Many of you folks don’t even realize that cells barely work within malls. People who think of getting a cell “for emergencies” needs to look someplace else. Cells are great for “general use”. If they were up to emergency standards our police, fire and EMS people wouldn’t be using their own dedicated radio trunks (cells are used by them only to augment their communication system). ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/30 "2004-10-18T15:16:17Z")
Thanks **Cranky**. Let’s try that again. > [@aruvqan](#): > > Honestly, I don’t understand why people are not willing to tell someone directly to please stop conversing loudly/using a cell phone/having a screaming child and then complaining their experece was ruined because they hadn’t the balls to object up front and in person. [This is why.](http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/eternalsunshineofthespotlessmind/84.html) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/31 "2004-10-18T15:20:58Z")
> [@badmana](#): > > Everyone who has a cell phone for “emergencies” needs to understand something. > > Cell phone companies do not support cells that don’t work within buildings. Why does everyone always tout out the “it’s for emergency calls!” when talking about using a cell inside a public or private building? > > When I was in the hell pit that is Customer Service, I’d get, without fail, several dozen calls a week about shit like this. You people need to get a better “emergency contact” system in place. Cells ARE NOT GUARENTEED to work witihin a building. They are not GUARENTEED to work within your own house. STOP defending using cell phones as “emergency only” phones. > > Cell phones are great for general calls but there’s nothing about cell technology that makes them particularly good in emergencies. Calls get missed, phones get damaged, and when a national emergency occurs cells are the first to go down. > > Our local airport (GTAA) doesn’t even have an on site cell tower. Calls cannot (in general) get placed at our airport. Nor did I get any signal while inside Ikea the other day. Many of the theaters I’ve been to also don’t have internal transmitters for cells either. Many of you folks don’t even realize that cells barely work within malls. > > People who think of getting a cell “for emergencies” needs to look someplace else. Cells are great for “general use”. If they were up to emergency standards our police, fire and EMS people wouldn’t be using their own dedicated radio trunks (cells are used by them only to augment their communication system). But if I have no service, I KNOW I have no service. My phone tells me so. I go to the theater where I know I can get service. If you put up a sign telling me that I’ll get no service, I’ll make my own decision on whether or not I’ll go. Does this jamming device signal my phone to tell me I have no service? If so, I recall my requests for signs. But if I’m getting my four bars and your jammer’s preventing my phone from working, then I think I should be alerted about it. ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/32 "2004-10-18T15:25:45Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > But if I have no service, I KNOW I have no service. My phone tells me so. I go to the theater where I know I can get service. If you put up a sign telling me that I’ll get no service, I’ll make my own decision on whether or not I’ll go. > > Does this jamming device signal my phone to tell me I have no service? If so, I recall my requests for signs. But if I’m getting my four bars and your jammer’s preventing my phone from working, then I think I should be alerted about it. The phone can (if set properly like you have) signal if the phone can no longer pick up the tower. A “jammer” would just mimic a “no signal” warning (my cell used to beep but it got annoying when I was in a store in the mall and it’d beep as I stepped over the magical “no signal” line. AFAIK “jammers” do not “trick” the phone into thinking it’s got a signal. It basically prevents the cell from reaching the tower. If a device could mimic one of our towers I’m sure my company would go ape. I was surprised Ikea’s building wasn’t allowing a signal. I believe it was built without a repeater on purpose so no cells work within it’s building (and as a private building they’re allowed to do that). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/33 "2004-10-18T15:47:25Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Thanks **Cranky**. Let’s try that again. > > [This is why.](http://www.mrcranky.com/movies/eternalsunshineofthespotlessmind/84.html) Sorry, I have never had any problems with people. WHen they refused to stop I went to management and they dealt with the problem. FWIW, anybody swinging on me better be prepared for pain as I am not a shrinking violet. I have been known to more than hold my own in a bar fight. [not to mention, in general bystanders really take umbrage at a man trying to beat up a woman in a _nice_ venue. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/34 "2004-10-18T15:57:33Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Sorry, I have never had any problems with people. WHen they refused to stop I went to management and they dealt with the problem. > > FWIW, anybody swinging on me better be prepared for pain as I am not a shrinking violet. I have been known to more than hold my own in a bar fight. [not to mention, in general bystanders really take umbrage at a man trying to beat up a woman in a _nice_ venue. Well my response was supposed to be tongue in cheek, but it missed the mark. I think confronting the offender is a fine course of action. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/35 "2004-10-18T16:17:35Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > But if I have no service, I KNOW I have no service. My phone tells me so. I go to the theater where I know I can get service. If you put up a sign telling me that I’ll get no service, I’ll make my own decision on whether or not I’ll go. > > Does this jamming device signal my phone to tell me I have no service? If so, I recall my requests for signs. But if I’m getting my four bars and your jammer’s preventing my phone from working, then I think I should be alerted about it. According to the linked article in the OP: > [@](#): > > Purchased for about $2,000 each, they can be turned on by remote control and emit low-level radio frequencies that thwart cell phone signals within a 100-foot radius. > > **Users get a “no service” or “signal not available” message on their cell phones.** ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/36 "2004-10-18T16:28:34Z")
Thank you. I duly recall my request for signs. 🙂 Now it’s up to the power of the dollar: if I can’t go to your place, and enough other people won’t, is it worth it as a business owner? Because, frankly, having customers annoyed by cellphones doesn’t seem to have swayed business owners so far. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/37 "2004-10-18T16:37:48Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > Besides, hurling them on the floor and repeatedly jumping up and down on them while screaming, “Die, foul engine of Satan! Die!” is much more fun. Cheaper, too. Is that the phone you jump on, or the rude caller? Seriously, I would PREFER theaters that use jammers - but it should be posted, and leakage of the jamming signal should be checked. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/38 "2004-10-18T17:07:28Z")
Many police, fire, and emergency medical services two-way radios operate in the same part of the RF spectrum as cell phones. A crude jamming device is going to wipe out coverage for more than just cell phones. If anyone deploys one of these jammers, I hope they get quickly stomped by the FCC. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/39 "2004-10-18T17:13:00Z")
> [@mks57](#): > > Many police, fire, and emergency medical services two-way radios operate in the same part of the RF spectrum as cell phones. A crude jamming device is going to wipe out coverage for more than just cell phones. > > If anyone deploys one of these jammers, I hope they get quickly stomped by the FCC. I would think the only question is if it affects their gear _outside_ the theater. Inside who cares? If they’re on call they shouldn’t be inside, and if they’re inside they shouldn’t be on call. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/40 "2004-10-18T17:30:16Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I would think the only question is if it affects their gear _outside_ the theater. Inside who cares? If they’re on call they shouldn’t be inside, and if they’re inside they shouldn’t be on call. Unless the theater’s on fire and they’re using the radios to try to make sure our sorry asses are all out and safe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738.md?page=3)