# 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:** 3
**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, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/41 "2004-10-18T17:30:55Z")
> [@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. Who cares? Maybe the guy who had a heart attack, or the people trapped by a fire, or the police officer who is trying to deal with a disturbance and needs backup NOW. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/42 "2004-10-18T17:40:19Z")
Are telephones in a theater such a big deal in the US? Here in the UK, I’ve been in countless movies and have never encountered a single telephone ringing. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/43 "2004-10-18T17:46:09Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > If I had to go someplace that I knew my phone would not work I made other arraignments to receive info but if some fool of an individual or place cuts off an accepted means of communication without notification, then their ass is mine. You’ve got it totally ass-backwards. Basically, what you’re telling me is that you’re coming into my place of business EXPECTING to be able to talk on your phone. You can naturally come into a building I own and take your own personal phone calls? That’s the NORM, and if the situation is otherwise, then I need to notify you, or my ass is yours? I wondered how the OP came up with that “self-absorbed putz” line? ---
**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, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/44 "2004-10-18T17:56:26Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > You’ve got it totally ass-backwards. > > Basically, what you’re telling me is that you’re coming into my place of business EXPECTING to be able to talk on your phone. > > You can naturally come into a building I own and take your own personal phone calls? > > That’s the NORM, and if the situation is otherwise, then I need to notify you, or my ass is yours? > > I wondered how the OP came up with that “self-absorbed putz” line? You don’t own the airwaves. They’re public property, administered by the FCC for the public’s benefit. If you don’t like people with cell phones, you are free to eject them, and their dollars, from your property. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/45 "2004-10-18T18:00:41Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > You can naturally come into a building I own and take your own personal phone calls? Yes, as a matter of fact I do expect to take personal calls within a business/building you own. Now while I agree that talking on the telephone in a movie theater, concert hall, or other entertainment venue is rude, crass and the people who do this should have a phonal lobotomy, I think talking on a cell phone in Malls, restaurants, parks, bars, and other such places is perfectly acceptable. If it’s a place where personal conversation is acceptable, then I feel a cell phone conversation is equally acceptable. ---
**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, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/46 "2004-10-18T18:11:39Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > 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. If the theater is on fire, most likely the room with the jammer in it burned away. 😛 ---
**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, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/47 "2004-10-18T18:13:55Z")
> [@mks57](#): > > Who cares? Maybe the guy who had a heart attack, or the people trapped by a fire, or the police officer who is trying to deal with a disturbance and needs backup NOW. Easy. Landlines, or turn the thing off in an emergency. How often does the scenario you suggested actually happen to an individual theater? Every few years? ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/48 "2004-10-18T18:24:39Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. Most people don’t want to take the risk of making things even worse than they are. I’ve see that happen personally. Your experiences aren’t everyone else’s. That being said, going to the management/usher is always a viable option if one feels like direct confrontation won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/49 "2004-10-18T18:26:09Z")
> [@](#): > > That being said, going to the management/usher is always a viable option if one feels like direct confrontation won’t work. That is, of course, assuming they’d do anything. Heh. For me, it’s just case by case and I would never assume that the person “didn’t have the balls”. ---
**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, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/50 "2004-10-18T18:28:32Z")
> [@Jurhael](#): > > Most people don’t want to take the risk of making things even worse than they are. I’ve see that happen personally. Your experiences aren’t everyone else’s. That being said, going to the management/usher is always a viable option if one feels like direct confrontation won’t work. Seriously. Does no one realize the irony in the commotion made in order to tell someone to shut the fuck up? ---
**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, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/51 "2004-10-18T18:29:49Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Easy. Landlines, or turn the thing off in an emergency. How often does the scenario you suggested actually happen to an individual theater? Every few years? That wouldn’t work. Landlines are not a replacement for a radio. The EMT may need to use radio telemetry or talk to a doctor at an emergency medical center. The police officer needs to be in constant contact with his dispatcher and other officers. Turning it off only works if the people affected know they are being jammed and there is always a responsible person on the scene who can immediately shut it off. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/52 "2004-10-18T18:44:21Z")
Just because something’s over the airwaves doesn’t mean you can just do it any place you want. You can’t take a radio into a restaurant just because the FCC controls the airwaves. Even if it’s at a conversational level. And the problem is, **GunsNSpot** believes that the default case is that he should have service in my place of business, and if he doesn’t he’s going to goose me, or anal rape me, or whatever the fuck he means by “your ass is mine.” If I owned a bar, yeah, I might allow people to talk on cel phones in it, but you all are acting like that’s just the default scenario “I can talk on my phone anywhere, and you better warn me if I can’t”. It shows just how damn far the self-absorption has spread. ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/53 "2004-10-18T18:47:54Z")
> [@mks57](#): > > That wouldn’t work. Landlines are not a replacement for a radio. The EMT may need to use radio telemetry or talk to a doctor at an emergency medical center. The police officer needs to be in constant contact with his dispatcher and other officers. Turning it off only works if the people affected know they are being jammed and there is always a responsible person on the scene who can immediately shut it off. Like I said, how often does this situation you describe actually happen? I would hope a manager would be able to go flip off a switch in event of emergency. If not, giving them the ability to do so would solve the problem. ---
**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, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/54 "2004-10-18T18:50:35Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > If I owned a bar, yeah, I might allow people to talk on cel phones in it, but you all are acting like that’s just the default scenario “I can talk on my phone anywhere, and you better warn me if I can’t”. It shows just how damn far the self-absorption has spread. Yeah, I blame the cell phone companies myself (“can you hear me now” POS). Verizon maded me super pissed when I saw that commerical when the guy was taking an elevator. Cells CANNOT work within an elevator shaft unless there’s a repeater in place (and if there’s a repeater just for the shaft, you’re going to get a perfect signal!) I’d love it if business operators started removing cell repeaters inside their buildings. I don’t use my cell in “do or die” situations and neither should anyone else unless you’re willing to pay for a missed call (or 10). ---
**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, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/55 "2004-10-18T18:52:01Z")
Not to mention all the fucking radiowaves bouncing all over the place. \ ---
**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, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/56 "2004-10-18T19:10:21Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Like I said, how often does this situation you describe actually happen? I would hope a manager would be able to go flip off a switch in event of emergency. If not, giving them the ability to do so would solve the problem. How often would you like it to happen? Fires are relatively rare, but we have fire codes, fire inspectors, alarm systems, and other things to try to prevent them and limit damage to property and loss of life. Deaths from heart attacks are not rare, and many of them occur in public places. I’ve seen several of them myself while out in public. ---
**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, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/57 "2004-10-18T19:31:58Z")
> [@mks57](#): > > How often would you like it to happen? > > Fires are relatively rare, but we have fire codes, fire inspectors, alarm systems, and other things to try to prevent them and limit damage to property and loss of life. > > Deaths from heart attacks are not rare, and many of them occur in public places. I’ve seen several of them myself while out in public. My point is to assess the _actual_ impact of the jammer. You could tell me how Godzilla would come wreck the place, and no one could ever get in touch with the authorities, but I want actual numbers. I think these situations are few and far between. ---
**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, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/58 "2004-10-18T20:04:30Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > My point is to assess the _actual_ impact of the jammer. You could tell me how Godzilla would come wreck the place, and no one could ever get in touch with the authorities, but I want actual numbers. I think these situations are few and far between. I did some rough calculations, and about 1300 people suffer a heart attack while watching a movie in a theater per year in the USA. About half of those will die. So about four a day. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/59 "2004-10-18T22:16:44Z")
Sure, there are twits out there who take cellphone calls and speak loudly in places they shouldn’t be. But why should you cut off _my_ cellphone service because of these turkeys? If someone calls me when I’m in the theater, you’ll never even know about it. The phone will quietly vibrate on my belt. I’ll look at the caller ID to see if it’s on my short list of people I’d interrupt the movie for. If so, I’ll go to the back of the room (I always sit on an aisle because of my long legs anyway) and listen to the voice mail. Again, nobody can hear this, because I don’t have to say anything. If the voice mail sounds urgent, I’ll go out in the lobby and call back. And I’m perfectly capable of talking on the cellphone quietly. What right do you have to take that ability away from me just because some _other_ person behaved rudely? I listen to people squawk about cellphones in restaurants, too, and I just don’t get it. _Everybody_ is talking in the restaurant. Some of them are loud, and should be asked to quiet down. Others are speaking in a normal voice. Why does it bother you if they’re speaking into a phone, a headset, or to the person across from them. Sheesh. Get a life. ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738/60 "2004-10-18T22:43:55Z")
> [@badmana](#): > > Yeah, I blame the cell phone companies myself (“can you hear me now” POS). Verizon maded me super pissed when I saw that commerical when the guy was taking an elevator. Cells CANNOT work within an elevator shaft unless there’s a repeater in place (and if there’s a repeater just for the shaft, you’re going to get a perfect signal!) Um, I know you worked for a telecom, but my cell works in my university’s elevator shafts just fine. And I know the state didn’t spring for repeaters to be installed. Moreover, my phone works fine in the malls near me, the retail establishments around here (even mine, which I know for a fact doesn’t have a repeater), and pretty much everywhere else, so I am questioning the source of your assertion. In fact, the only place I go regularly without cell service is a specific building on my campus – this building has 1-foot-thick concrete walls and 2-foot-thick concrete ceilings/floors, and is partially sunk into the ground. The phone doesn’t work in any of the rooms, but in the hallways with windows it works fine. My phone even worked fine on the mezzanine levels of most train stations in Manhattan, so maybe you have outdated information? As to the legal status of these jammers, I refer y’all to my post earlier today on the topic: > [@FCC](#): > > No, these devices are illegal and may not be imported, into the USA or installed anywhere in the USA. Basically they jam the operation of cellular telephone anywhere they are installed. Jamming operation would be considered harmful interference to a licensed radio service. A device that causes harmful interference to a licensed radio service is illegal to import, market or use in the USA. See Section 2.803 of the FCC Rules. Rule Parts:2.803 20020115-001 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-triumphs-over-the-self-absorbed-putz-cell-phone-jammers/269738.md?page=4)