'Wi-Fi police' stalk Olympic Games - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:07:38 am
content: http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/draconian-wifi-police-stalk-olympic-games-20120803-23jdc.htmland why ? interference, what a load of junk science, typical 'trained' blithering idiots

author: Things
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:14:42 am
content: ROFL!! What a load of shite! Good laugh

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:16:34 am
content: Properly designed devices do not interfere. Codswallop.

author: Things
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:17:55 am
content: That's just their lame coverup excuse, the real reason is they want people to have no other internet access & so have to purchase it from them.Also why do their WiFi detectors look like they're made from red duct tape?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:21:19 am
content: I'd guess that they are little yagi antennas and they had to cover over the sharp bits to avoid potential injury.

author: Things
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:31:22 am
content: Yeah, sounds like that's what it is. Strange the mention "3G hubs" also, seeing as most phones today can be used as 3G hubs. Did they ban all phones from using 3G and limit to GSM too?

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:31:39 am
content: Quote from: Things on August 06, 2012, 10:17:55 amJust like fish and chips costs £8 or something ridiculous - it's not as if there is a lack of customers!

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:42:01 am
content: Someone should build a bunch of 2.4 ghz beacons and leave them all over the place. Maby by the end of it all fox hunting could become an olympic sport.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 11:04:19 am
content: i don't see how they have a leg to stand on its a unlicensed spectrum after all do they own the electromagnetic spectrum they think by making a policy agreement that infringes on your basic rightshttp://pastebin.com/eU8RJtFdno wonder that the businesses in London complains of the lack of customers when the restrictions for the olympic venues are hard enough to make you feel like a suspect.their claim to it being private property is ludacris considering it was paid out public coffers

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 12:01:09 pm
content: I boycott the Olympic Games. It's just a huge marketing event enforcing special rights and exceptions from local law, which I consider totally illegal. It's a shame that governments change laws to help the Olympic Games company make more money.It would be really nice if the Olympic Games would be just about sports.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 12:28:16 pm
content: Just.... TROLOLOLOL. Idiots.Alexander.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 01:03:55 pm
content: Quote from: Ferroto on August 06, 2012, 10:42:01 amna, make up some small battery powered wifi transmitters with sticky backing and secretly attach them to the backpacks all those wifi police are wearing.Then sit back and laugh as they keep turning around and around trying to find a signal peak for the hotspot on their back.FYI, fox hunting is an abhorrent activity (i'm not going to call it sport) it's no different to seal clubbing

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 01:26:32 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 06, 2012, 01:03:55 pmIt's also a method of controlling fox populations, which spiral out of control if left unchecked.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 01:42:39 pm
content: A desirable side effect doesn't negate the harm and make something acceptable.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 02:26:50 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 06, 2012, 01:42:39 pmWhat harm's that, then?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 02:29:59 pm
content: This is mostly about the fact that there is a holy crapload of RF stuff going on in the area - networks, wireless TV camera links, telemetry, wireless mics and in-ear monitors/talkback, walkie-talkies etc. so they need to be able to find anything causing interference that might disrupt operations. The odd random person sharing a 3g connection to save BT's rip-off charges will be the least of their problems.The antenna in that pic looks like a wideband one - if they were just looking for wifi they's use a single band one.As well as mobile receivers there are some fixed sensors to get rough positioning as it's a huge area to walk around- I'm guessing these are remotely operable spectrum analysers or simliar.There are some reports on all the spectrum requirements they envisage and there is all sorts of stuff there.http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/london2012/statement/statement.pdfhttp://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/london2012/statement/london2010Update.pdfSkimming the second, looks like 2.6GHz is being used as a dedicated band, so interference from 2.45G wifi is a distinct possibility.When I was working there we were told that any wireless networking gear we installed had to be on 5.8GHz.of course "wifi Police" makes a much better headline

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 03:57:57 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 06, 2012, 01:03:55 pmI like this idea even more. btw Fox hunting is a competition where ham radio enthusists look for hidden radio transmitters using a directional antenna, map and compass.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmitter_hunting

author: elliott
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 04:36:47 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on August 06, 2012, 02:29:59 pmIt is bad enough trying to setup a router at an apartment complex with all legal US wifi channels saturated, I couldn't imagine trying to work with RF stuff in a situation like the Olympics.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 04:57:00 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on August 06, 2012, 04:53:25 pmYou'd have to route it out over 3G to get offsite, so a local wifi link wouldn't help, unless it was something beefy enough to make it out of the site. And it's a HUGE ste

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 04:59:23 pm
content: Heh, I have a feeling they can't look for high GHz signals because pirate radio relays are still working in the area.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 06:06:22 pm
content: Better is to turn on microwave ovens when they walk past, with nothing inside, so the leakage is at it's worst. How will they detect any signal with a half watt of RF leakage pinning the meters and burning out the front ends if aimed direct at them.

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 06:10:45 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on August 06, 2012, 06:06:22 pmGet microwave oven with plastic cover.Remove plastic cover.Cut hole in metal box.Put cover back on.Hope the plastic case is transparent to microwaves.? ? ? ?Profit.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 06:14:23 pm
content: V2 involves a quick work on 3 switches, and losing a certain part. Do not stand in front then.................

author: Murphy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 08:52:14 pm
content: Quote from: Things on August 06, 2012, 10:17:55 amBecause without the tape they look kinda scaryhttp://www2.rohde-schwarz.com/en/products/radiomonitoring/antennas/HE200-%7C-Key_Facts-%7C-4-%7C-2745.html

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 09:19:31 pm
content: Quote from: madires on August 06, 2012, 12:01:09 pmit would be a good start to deny the payment for SPORTING! they get insane amounts of money for doing what? sporting? ridicoulus. and going to an olympia makes them more money for the nothing. i would say you can go to such events but you get nothing just a piece of paper for winning. and you must work beside your sport activity to be able to survive. no money= no food. most of the people get their paycheck with hard work. not for doing sports what is a goddam hobby or a healthcare activity....

author: icon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2012, 10:06:32 pm
content: QuoteQuoteWhat, you think he didn't know that? Sounds disgraceful. Ham radio enthusiasts indeed.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2012, 01:05:37 am
content: lol, no, i wasn't aware of that definition.Only knew of the hunting where foxes are chased for hours and finally ripped apart by dogs under the banner of sport.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2012, 02:40:55 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 07, 2012, 01:05:37 amI do wonder where people get the idea that a single fox lasts 'hours' and is 'ripped apart by dogs'. You'll find most don't very long, and it's rather a quick death. Quicker than being shot, especially by the incompetents who usually go around shooting foxes. Also quicker than traps or poisoning.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 07, 2012, 06:19:21 am
content: given the poor wifi reception on y phone I'm guessing it won't exactly make a long range wifi hotspot. Probably some idiot panicking

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2012, 07:45:37 am
content: Assuming that those aerials are folded long periodical yaggi's they are looking for far more than wifi well into the VHF bands judging by the size.

author: LaurenceW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2012, 08:01:16 pm
content: Are we sure this isn't just one of those Olympic meeter and greeter chappies, who directs lost punters to the PleasureDome, or whatever it's called? "Over there, madam" (emphasises direction with huge, nay phallic, pointy red arrow, while listening to "Chariots of Fire" tune on iPod).That's what it is I reckon

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 07, 2012, 08:32:26 pm
content: Quote from: LaurenceW on August 07, 2012, 08:01:16 pmhaha, about as good as you mean