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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site petrus.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!bellcore!petrus!karn
From: karn@petrus.UUCP (Phil R. Karn)
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: Prankster disrupts radio broadcasts
Message-ID: <744@petrus.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Dec-85 02:25:22 EST
Article-I.D.: petrus.744
Posted: Mon Dec  9 02:25:22 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Dec-85 20:49:42 EST
References: <701@ihu1h.UUCP> <143@hydra.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc
Lines: 23

Just recently (Thanksgiving weekend) I saw an AP wire story reporting that
one of the satellite uplink operators had filed a formal complaint with the
FCC alleging that deliberate interference (several hours of unmodulated
carrier) had occurred to one of their signals. They went on to suggest that
the interference might have been an attempt to retaliate against the use of
video encryption devices. However, the FCC seemed unconvinced that the
possibility of accidental interference caused by a sloppy operator at
another legitimate uplink site had really been ruled out.

I guess the day you see HBO's signal pre-empted by a crude B&W slide that
says (in true ransom-note fashion):

		ThiS StAYs oN uNTil tHe SCRamBleR GoES oFF!

you will know for sure that deliberate jamming has begun. The only practical
way to find such a jammer (who could be anywhere in the CONUS, Cuba,
northern Mexico or southern Canada) would be with a low earth orbiting ELINT
(electronic intelligence) satellite, and if the DoD has such a beast they
are unlikely to "compromise intelligence sources and methods" by using it to
solve a mere civilian problem (except perhaps by phoning an anonymous tip
into the FCC...)

Phil