[mdlug] OT - IR jamming

[Aaron Kulkis]

Brian Hurley wrote:
>> Dave Arbogast wrote:
>>> I was just in DC with my top of the line SLR digital camera. I was in
>>> the right place at the right time to take photos of a motorcade entering
>>> the big house. I was about 12 feet from them and 16 feet from the inter
>>> gate as it opened. (I shot for several newspapers in the day, so you
>>> could say I'm not am amateur.)
>>>
>>> OK, shoot, shoot, shoot.  Daylight, immediate response pro camera.
>>> What's the problem ?  This was a high raking official as the tailing
>>> S.S. Tahoe had the back 3 windows open and 3 armored soldiers with
>>> fingers on their machine guns. Yes, they gave me the evil eye for trying
>>> to take their photo from 4 meters, but my camera refused to take their
>>> photo.... it took many photos minutes before they arrived and many more
>>> minutes after the iron gates closed behind them.
>>>
>>> The only explanation is IR / RF  jamming of my system. I wish I had gone
>>> to manual focus as I do often, but I have never held down the shutter
>>> release with no result.  The guys following up the rear were too cool.
>>> None of the other motorcades we saw that day had the heavy artillery
>>> exposed in the trailing SUV ready to fire.
>> Very interesting.  It could be IR jamming the IR system.
>>
>> Alternate theory: have you ever noticed how the definition of
>> a Class C consumer electronics device states, "this device
>> *MUST* accept interference causing unwanted operation."
>>
>> I've seen this even on my top of the line HP calculators.
> 
> Tinfoil hat alert!

If there's not a reason for this, then why doe the FCC *DEMAND*
that Class C consumer electronics accept interference causing
unwanted operation?

Basically, the designation specifically PROHIBITS (under
penalty of law) protecting the device from RFI.

As an Army National Guard soldier.. I have annual MANDATORY
civil-disturbance training (this being the primary state-level
role of the Guard).  Without going into detail, I can assure
you that there are reasons why government officials WANT
consumer electronic devices to be susceptible to any sort of
jamming system which the government has at its disposal.