We're Jamming: Cell Phone Zapper

We're all prisoners of technology, doomed for all eternity to a cell — unless, of course, you have a cell phone zapper. If you burn with anger when you're subjected to the nonstop jabbering of a cell phone abuser, there's something you should know: The technology now exists to zap that person's cell phone signal with the press of a button, so he's left talking to himself.

Cell phone zappers — some made to look like actual cell phones — are widely sold over the Internet at prices ranging from $300 to $1,500. The low-end models block calls at a range of about 30 feet, and top-of-the-line ones can provide a cell-free zone almost as large as a football field.

The offending loudmouth won't even know he's being jammed. His signal will just go dead, and he'll probably just complain to his phone carrier. That is, if his signal ever returns.

One minor problem: Phone Zapper are illegal. Regulating the airways is the domain of the Federal Communication Commission, and a violation carries an $11,000 fine. But the FCC has yet to slap someone for illegal jamming.

It's unclear how many people are purchasing such devices, but the number of online merchants hawking call zapper has exploded. The sellers are based outside the United States — where local laws may permit such technology — but these companies seem geared to serve Americans. In some cases, they even boast that their products are designed to blot out radio frequencies reserved for cell phones in the United States.

It should be noted that importing such a device is also illegal. Luckily, there are some old-fashioned, shame-based solutions for rudeness. One online group, calling itself the Society for Hand-Held Hushing — or SHHH! — is offering downloadable notes that you can fill out and hand to someone who's speaking on the phone a little too loudly about something a little too personal.

Cell-Phone-Jammers.com - Exclusive range of Cell Phone Zapper

We're Jamming: Cell Phone Zapper