How GPS Jammers Work
The concept of a GPS jammer is best explained after GPS and how it functions.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it is used by commercial entities and the military, as well as individuals, mainly for navigational purposes. GPS uses a system of satellites that orbit the earth and send radio signals. The GPS satellites work with a GPS receiver to determine positioning via triangulation. GPS can be found (and hence GPS jammers can be effective against) individual handheld units, car navigational and positioning systems, and boat navigational and positioning systems.
GPS operates using triangulation, which is a method in which three separate points are measured to calculate position. In a car’s navigation system, the car’s location is measured by three specific satellites orbiting earth. Using triangulation, GPS can deliver the location to the receiver within inches of its exact location. It is important to note that GPS radio signals use a very specific frequency.
There are actually two main frequencies that GPS operates on: one is for public, non-military use at 1575.42 MHz. The other, that is used solely for the US military is at 1227.6 MHz. Because GPS is nothing more than radio waves, these waves can be blocked / jammed using a GPS jammer. Technical devices and expertise are most certainly needed for that purpose.
GPS jammers were created specifically by the government and military organizations, but quickly became popular with spy or privacy gadget companies. Most civilians do not have the technical capabilities to create their own home made device, as it is much more difficult than just blocking a radio signal with basic radio interference.
Most GPS jammers are built for military uses, for example, to confuse the enemy on where asset location is, or where enemy GPS guided missiles or bombs will strike. There are, however, a few civilian uses for jamming GPS signals. This includes the ability to conceal oneself or one’s vehicle in the case it is being tracked by a GPS receiver. A practical application of GPS jammer use by civilians would be a salesperson that has a GPS tracked vehicle, who wanted to have lunch outside their territory, or run home for a forgotten item, without having to do a lot of explaining when tracking showed them out of territory.
Most retail offered GPS jammers have a range of up to 10 meters, which will cover even the largest of vehicles.
