[PPRAANet] Handling a Jammer

[Rob Roller N7LV]

>From time to time we will get an occasional jammer on a repeater or simplex
frequency.  Tonight we got a little taste of a fairly strong station
transmitting on 146.97 simplex, and apparently interfering with
communications on other frequencies.

Here are a few guidelines on what to do when you hear someone intentionally
causing interference, like playing loud music or rambling on.

All stations operating on the repeater should handle intentional
interference (jamming) with extreme care.  Improper handling of such an
incident will have a negative effect for an extended period of time.
Intentional interference is rare on any repeater system in Colorado Springs,
but in the event it happens during a net or during any casual conversation,
the following guidelines are offered:

1.  Never talk to, or about anyone operating illegally (jamming) on the
repeater.  First of all, he's unlicensed, and to communicate with an
unlicensed station is itself illegal.  Second, talking about him lets him
know he's having success.

2.  Never acknowledge that any jamming activity is occurring.  Same reason.
No need to say, "Gee, did you hear that?  He's transmitting music on the
frequency.  We'll, maybe we can track him down and report him to the FCC.
That'll take care of things."  To do so will simply make him realize that he
is, in fact, disrupting communications.  That's what he's trying to do, and
you've confirmed it for him.  Now he'll continue to do so.

3.  Never let a jammer know that he is having an impact on your operation.
If you hear someone intentionally jamming, calmly ask your party to change
another frequency, or to the telephone.

4.  Don't try to give a false report that we're on to him, and we're DF'ing
him.  That will likely backfire and cause him to continue interfering.  True
DF'ers will coordinate via telephone or on a completely separate band.

5.  Don't offer indirect tips on how the jammer can improve his
effectiveness.  For example, don't say, "Gee, I'm glad he's not transmitting
on 146.37 with a 100 Hz tone!"

6.  If you hear what sounds like a stuck microphone, let it go without
saying anything for a little while to make sure it's not a jammer.
Announcing a stuck mic will only confirm to a jammer that he's causing
interference.

Bottom line is to leave him alone.  Left alone with no one to bother, he'll
go away.  Move your conversation to another frequency, or to the telephone.
If you feel the urge to talk with someone about the jammer, do it off the
air.

73
Rob
N7LV