Cape Town's tow-truck jammers

It has been alleged in main stream media that some of Cape Town's tow truck drivers are almost certainly using sophisticated "cell phone jammers" to ensure that accident victims cannot contact other tow truck drivers or even emergency services.

According to research by a member of the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre, cell phone reception is "compromised" at the scene of car accidents whenever
certain tow truck operators arrive.

Andre van der Merwe, the national chair of the South African Towing and Recovery Association (Satra), said he had "no doubt" some operators were using cell phone jamming equipment and urged motorists to report drivers scrambling cell phone signals.

A member writes in the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre's latest newsletter: "The objective is very simple - no cell phone access, no help can be summoned, the victims are forced to use their towing services.

Cell phone jamming equipment transmits a wide-band, low-power jamming signal in the cell phone bands. Banned in many countries, it may be used in South Africa only with an "appropriate transmitting licence" from the Independent
Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia