Inconsiderate Cell Phone Users Have
Led To The Use Of Cell Phone Jammers
Along with the wide spread use of the cell phone, phone etiquette has seemed to become nonexistent. The considerate treatment of others while using a cell phone simply isn’t thought about and this has led to an interesting form of retaliation from those annoyed by this development. The use of cell phone jammers has become an artful yet somewhat misguided attempt to eliminate the practice of bad cell phone etiquette in public.
Because cell phones basically work like two-way radios, the concept of jammers and how they work isn’t all that complicated. Cell phone signal jammers basically work to disrupt the service of a cell phone in order to make it impossible for a cell phone user to receive a signal. Cell phones use two individual frequencies that allow for the cell phone user to talk and listen at the same time. Jammers work to ‘jam’ one or both of the frequencies used by a cell phone, which will ultimately render the cell phone useless without either signal. The potential range of a jammer can depend on the amount of power the jammer has as well as environmental factors like large landforms that can ‘jam’ the jammer signal. Jammers with low power work for an estimated 30 feet while stronger jammers are estimated to be able to jam an area about the size of a football field.
Although some people feel that using cell phone signal jammers is an excellent way to encourage cell phone users to return to using proper cell phone etiquette, jammers are illegal. Under the Communications Act of 1934, individuals are forbidden from “willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized” to work. This includes using jammers to disrupt service to any cell phone, as it can be viewed as property theft.
The fact that a device such as a jammer is viewed as necessary to deal with
bad phone etiquette should prompt people who use a cell phone to look at their
cell phone habits. People around a cell phone user don’t have the option
to not hear a phone conversation. Make and answer cell phone calls as discreetly
as possible. Turn off cell phones at public functions or performances. Not only
is it distracting, but some of the more annoying synthesized ringtones
are downright awful. Never drive and use a cell phone at the same time. Not
only does it cause bad driving; many states consider it a hazard and have made
it illegal. Keep the cell phone out of sight when out to dinner. If the babysitter
calls, keep the cell phone in a pocket or purse close by so that it can be heard.
There is no excuse for bad cell phone etiquette. In the case of an emergency there are exceptions. Otherwise, people need to respect others and use proper cell phone etiquette. By using some of these examples of cell phone etiquette, the need for devices like portable cell phone jammers and dirty looks from people in public places won’t be necessary.
