[LINK] Jamming GPS seems to be pretty easy

[Roger Clarke]

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