[PPRAANet] Handling a Jammer

[Doug Moloney]

Thanks Rob!  Historically, this is what seems to work best.

73,

Doug, W�MHP

----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Roller N7LV <n7lv@amsat.org>
To: PPARES Reflector <ppares@mailman.qth.net>; PPRAA Reflector
<ppraanet@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 9:21 PM
Subject: [PPRAANet] Handling a Jammer


> 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
>
>
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