[LINK] Jamming GPS seems to be pretty easy
Roger Clarke
Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au
Thu Jan 9 15:28:00 AEDT 2014
At 15:18 +1100 9/1/14, Kim Holburn wrote:
>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?
Apart from 'the principle of the thing', I assume ACMA is concerned
about the range over which such jamming operates.
Relevantly to things I've been writing about lately, nearby drones
could be comprehensively stuffed-up.
If anyone has solid info on such matters, I'd be delighted to (yet
again) leverage off my link colleagues! (Maybe off-list, since it's
close to OT).
___________________________
>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:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au 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
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>
>--
>Kim Holburn
>IT Network & Security Consultant
>T: +61 2 61402408 M: +61 404072753
>mailto:kim at holburn.net aim://kimholburn
>skype://kholburn - PGP Public Key on request
>
>
>
>
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--
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:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au 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
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