A Chicago commuter train passenger, Dennis Nicholl, found a unique solution to his problem of noise pollution on his daily journey to work- he bought a phone jammer. However, the plan backfired when he was caught red-handed holding the illegal device as he rode the train. The 63-year-old man was charged with a felony for disrupting telecommunications on the train.
Nicholl justified his action by claiming that he bought the phone jammer out of desperation for a quieter ride. The device, which resembles a walkie-talkie with six antennas, would shut down every phone signal in his vicinity. His actions, however, were not accepted by the authorities, and the case was turned over to the Federal Communications Commission, who stated that the use of such a device poses a serious hazard to public safety by obstructing emergency communications.
IT worker Brain Raida, 30, took a photo of Nicholl on the train and posted it on Reddit, where it quickly went viral. The incident raises concerns regarding the potential misuse of personal electronic devices and the need for passengers to be mindful of their behavior on public transport. The amusing photo continues to be circulated online, but it is a stark reminder of the potential dangers and consequences that can arise from using technology recklessly.
Caught red handed: IT worker Brain Raida, 30, took a photo of Nicholl on the train and shared it to Reddit , where it quickly circulated the web
Dennis Nicholl, a financial analyst at the University of Illinois Hospital, faces jail time and a fine of up to $100,000 for using the jammer, which is illegal to buy or use as they can shut off cop radios and block 911 calls
That’s when Members of the Chicago Police Department, CTA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set up an undercover sting operation on March 8 after seeing Nicholl use the device. He was arrested on Tuesday.
Now, Nicholl, a financial analyst at the University of Illinois Hospital, faces jail time and a fine of up to $100,000 for using the jammer, which is illegal to buy or use as they can shut off police radios and block emergency calls.
Phone jammers, which are sold online in China for $30 to $300, interrupt cell service by transmitting its own signal at the same frequency.
When the two signals meet, they void each other out.
Although cell phones are designed to overpower most interruptions, phone jammers are too forceful to get past.
They were initially designed by the military to block out surrounding phones signals in negotiations or hostage crises.
Some can block signals as far as five miles away, hitting WiFi, GPS, and even aircraft.
Nicholl’s antics were first spotted by accountant Aaron Robison, who witnessed Nicholl on the Brown Line drinking beer and holding a bizarre device.
Robison told the Chicago Tribune he saw Nicholl scowl at someone speaking on their cellphone and within seconds all phone signal went out.
‘I think he liked the feeling of being in control of the car,’ Robison told the Tribune. ‘It’s kind of a digital ‘stay off my lawn, you young people with your cellphones.’
‘He’s disturbed by people talking around him,’ attorney Charles Lauer said.
‘He might have been selfish in thinking about himself, but he didn’t have any malicious intent.’
Nicholl was released on Wednesday after posting $10,000 bail.
Phone jammers (stock, pictured), which are sold online in China for $30 to $300, interrupt cell service by transmitting its own signal at the same frequency. When the two signals meet, they void each other out