Seems like these guys are just jamming their own cabs. That'd be fraud I guess but it would also be possible, I would think, to jam your own cab devices without radiating too much outside the cab.
It's a bit sad that we are getting so dependent on GPS that jamming it is a major crime. I mean I suppose I can see the problems when aircraft are involved. Even so don't people actually pilot aircraft themselves any more? Don't they have backup sensors, eyes etc? On 2014/Jan/09, at 2:49 PM, Roger Clarke wrote: > Melbourne cabbie fined over GPS jammer > Ry Crozier > itNews > Jan 9, 2014 1:21 PM (1 hour ago) > http://www.itnews.com.au/News/369108,melbourne-cabbie-fined-over-gps-jammer.aspx > > Radio comms could be blocked in fight for passengers. > > A Melbourne taxi driver has been fined $850 after pleading guilty to > using a GPS jammer. > > The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) - which > regulates spectrum usage in Australia - noted the Magistrates Court > conviction in a brief blog post today: > > [ > http://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-spectrum/High-risk-devices/taxi-driver-convicted > [>The potential consequences of GPS jammer use are serious. They can > substantially degrade or disrupt critical military and civilian > applications by blocking radiocommunications signals used for the > radionavigation-satellite service. > [> > http://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-spectrum/What-is-it-and-why-you-need-it/devices-prohibited-by-the-acma#rnss > > The conviction appears to be the result of a sting by the ACMA and > Victorian Taxi Services Commission that was carried out at Melbourne > city and airport taxi ranks in early-to-mid 2013. > > The two-stage joint operation saw ACMA inspectors set up a spectrum > analyser near taxi ranks and speak to around 300 drivers about the > issue of GPS jamming. > > Two drivers were reportedly charged with breaking radiocommunications > laws. Both were due to face court last month. Other drivers were > "reprimanded" or "given their marching orders", according a Herald > Sun report. > > Allegations of jammer use among Melbourne cabbies were aired back in 2012. > > [ > http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-15/melbourne-cabbie-lifts-lid-on-fare-scam/4131258 > [From July 2012, i.e. 18 months to get a Magistrates' Court > conviction and fine.] > > The devices are said to be used by drivers to mask the location of > the cab, allowing them to get a job even if they are not in the area. > > The ACMA said that jammer usage offences are "not trivial", nor are > the potential consequences which include six-figure fines and jail > time. > > [Radiocommunications Act ss. 189-201, esp. s.197 > [ http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ra1992218/ > > The regulator is concerned that unauthorised jammer usage could > disrupt military or civilian radio communications networks. > > It will continue to target GPS jammer usage under its compliance > regime for 2013-14. > > -- > Roger Clarke http://www.rogerclarke.com/ > > Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA > Tel: +61 2 6288 6916 http://about.me/roger.clarke > mailto:[email protected] http://www.xamax.com.au/ > > Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law University of N.S.W. > Visiting Professor in Computer Science Australian National University > _______________________________________________ > Link mailing list > [email protected] > http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link -- Kim Holburn IT Network & Security Consultant T: +61 2 61402408 M: +61 404072753 mailto:[email protected] aim://kimholburn skype://kholburn - PGP Public Key on request _______________________________________________ Link mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
