Given that running a jammer like this is illegal, and the fact that the FCC has a help page for law enforcement to rope them into jamming cases, I’m sure that won’t last long.
Considering the current state of the art (websdr), I’m surprised the FCC doesn’t have a network of SDRs colocated on partner assets (towers) for rapid triangulation of illegal signals (versus the old school method of driving around in a vehicle).
I'd expect cellular companies to have some capability in that area. They own their spectrum, and anything the cellular network didn't put there deserves attention.
Dumb denial jammers like this one are easy to find. All you need is a spectrum analyzer. There are some under US$100 for frequencies below 1GHz. For about $500 you can get up to 6GHz.
There's a procedures manual for this.[1] Basically, send out people with spectrum analyzers. FEMA has some spectrum analyzers on their list of stuff they will buy for first responders. US Homeland Security has annual practice exercises called "JamX" at White Sands Missile Range or some other isolated base to teach people how to find jammers. Jammers are enough of a headache that more responders are getting the gear to find them.
Any military aircraft or ship with electronic warfare capabilities will see a denial jammer as a target. Fundamentals of Naval Weapons Systems says: "This situation is most dangerous for the jamming unit because he is a prime target for all weapons systems and well within the capabilities of Home-on-Jam (HOJ) and Anti-Radiation (ARM) weapons."
Probably way easier to get a search warrant quickly from a judge for disrupting police operations and emergency services that way and let the DA up the charges once the person is actually caught (the article says they weren’t yet arrested). I’m sure the investigation is just beginning.
They’re local police. Easier to just use the disruption to emergency services as justification for a warrant until they figure out who was responsible and can then rope in the feds.
