You have probably heard of a cell phone jammer. Even if you don’t fully understand how exactly it works, you are probably aware that it is used to prevent cell phones from making and receiving calls. However, the possibility of a cell phone jammer being able to disrupt walkie-talkie transmissions probably did not cross your mind. Can a cell phone jammer really do this?
Short Answer
Yes, a cell phone jammer can interfere with walkie-talkie communication. A cell phone jammer broadcasts a signal in a radio wave frequency that is similar to the signal that cell phones transmit. Because of this, it can disrupt the transmission of not only cell phone signals but also authorized radio broadcasts and two-way radio communications operating within the range of the jammer.
Long Answer
A cell phone jammer does not only affect cell phones. It can also disrupt the signal broadcast and communication of various devices such as radio broadcasts and even GPS receivers. If you often use walkie-talkies, it is important to understand how jammers work to see if it will interrupt with your two-way radio communication.
What is a Cell Phone Jammer, and how does it work?
A cell phone jammer prevents a cell phone from transmitting and receiving signals. This fails a cell phone to make outgoing calls and to receive incoming calls.
A cell phone can communicate with other units by transmitting signals in the form of radio waves picked up by cell phone towers. These signals are relayed from cell phone tower to cell phone tower until it reaches the unit/s at the receiving end of the communication. A cell phone jammer disrupts this process. It transmits a signal on a similar radio wave frequency as the signal that cell phones transmit. This signal interrupts the transmission of signals between a cell phone unit and cell phone towers. Depending on the cell phone jammer’s sophistication, it can affect cell phones within a certain range or location.
Why are Cell Phone Jammers used?
A cell phone jammer is used for several reasons, ranging from personal to national security. A cell phone jammer can prohibit the deliberate or accidental leakage of classified information. Similarly, it can prevent infiltration by unwanted incoming signals, calls, or any such transmissions. A cell phone jammer can also avert terrorist attacks by hindering communications needed to orchestrate such attacks or by preventing the possibility of remotely detonating a bomb through a cell phone. Some jammers can be used to interfere with the transmission of bugs and even GPS receivers. Businesses sometimes opt to install cell phone jammers to avoid interruptions from unexpected calls during important meetings or to minimize employee distractions. For personal reasons, some people wish to become unreachable to incoming calls but do not want to reject or block calls one at a time, and this something that a cell phone jammer can do.
Can a Cell Phone Jammer block Walkie Talkies?
Yes, a cell phone jammer can disrupt the signal transmission and reception of walkie-talkies. As mentioned earlier, a cell phone jammer broadcasts a signal on the same radio wave frequency as the signal that cell phones transmit. Thus, it can block not only cell phone signals but also authorized radio broadcasts and two-way radio communications operating within the range of the jammer. While it has to be noted that not all cell phone jammers are guaranteed to affect and disrupt radio broadcasts and communications, there is still a reasonable chance that it will cause interference.
Is it prohibited by Law to use a Cell Phone Jammer in the US?
Yes, it is illegal to use — and even market or sell — cell phone jammers in the US, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Authorized radio broadcasts and communications are protected by federal law. And cell phone jammers — or any jamming equipment, for that matter — disrupt the transmission of these authorized radio broadcasts and communications. In addition to that, cell phone jammers can prevent people from making emergency calls on their cell phones and law enforcers from communicating vital information through their radio system. Therefore, jammers are considered potential threats to critical communication needed to safeguard public safety.
To know more about what the law covers about jammer enforcement, you can read more about it here.
How do I detect a Cell Phone Jammer?
Dropped service can indicate an activated cell phone jammer, but it is not necessarily conclusive evidence. Without using military-grade equipment, it is almost impossible to ascertain whether or not a cell phone jammer is indeed the cause of the signal disruption.
Is it possible to stop a Cell Phone Jammer?
You will have to find a cell phone jammer’s physical location and switch the actual device off to stop it from disrupting signals. The best way to stop a cell phone jammer from blocking your phone signal is to move well out of its transmission range. The transmission range of a cell phone jammer will depend on the strength of the device. However, jammers do not usually broadcast disrupting signals beyond 30 square feet, so getting out of this range can do the trick.
Conclusion – Does a Cell Phone Jammer Block Walkie-Talkies?
A cell phone jammer makes use of radio waves to interfere with signal transmission and reception. Because of this, a cell phone jammer does not only affect cell phones despite its name. A cell phone jammer also has the capacity to interfere with the signal broadcast and communication of various types of devices that also make use of radio waves. These devices include authorized radio broadcasts and two-way radios. Once a jammer is activated, it is nearly impossible to find it or disable it unless you can physically access and switch it off. It is also illegal to operate and sell in the US because it is considered a risk to public safety because it can disrupt emergency communications.
