imabug said:Probably not something I would advice anybody trying just for kicks and giggles
For one, most countries probably make this kind of signal hijacking illegal, and you'd likely get into a lot of trouble for doing it. At the very least, it will cost you a bundle in fines.
Commercial radio stations broadcast using transmitters typically in the hundreds of kW range. Unless you're at the periphery of a radio station's range or your listeners are really really close, your radio signal is just going to be noise superimposed on the radio station's signal.
I can't imagine that it's going to be easy to buy sufficiently powerful transmitters to hijack any radio station's signal. It's certainly not something your corner electronics store is probably going to stock. And the companies that do sell the more powerful transmitters probably want some kind of proof that you have a license to broadcast a signal.
There are a lot of 'wireless' devices that broadcast to FM receivers, generally using frequencies that a regular radio can pick up but that are not used commercially in the area. It's the same idea as a VCR or DVD player passing its signal to the TV on either 3 or 4, whichever is not broadcast within your reception range. Any non-licence ones can only go for a few hundred feet. Unless US laws have changed a lot, they're still the same as ours in that you need a radio operator license to use an RC aeroplane or boat, or to be a pilot. (The pilot licensing is separate from the need for a radio operator licence, since all ground-to-air communication exceeds non-licence wattage. I had to get the RO license before my first flight lesson, just so that I could legally communicate with ground control and the tower.)Akihiro said:On a small scale, maybe it should be alright, like hijacking only your own radio or broadcasting signals with a very small range for example. There's even a (legal) gadget called 'iTrip' I think which can broadcast FM signals.
And where are they now?emotionalmachine said:They did it in Atlas Shrugged.
Yes, it is illegal to intercept and listen to a radio station without permission. This is considered a violation of federal law and can result in fines and/or imprisonment.
Intercepting a radio station requires specialized equipment and technical knowledge. It is not a simple or legal task for the average person to attempt.
In addition to the legal risks, there are also potential risks to your personal safety. Some radio stations have security measures in place to prevent interception and may take action against those who attempt it.
No, certain radio stations may have stronger security measures in place, making it more difficult to intercept their signals. Additionally, some radio stations may broadcast at higher frequencies that are not easily accessible to the average person.
While some may claim to have successfully intercepted a radio station without being detected, it is highly unlikely and can still result in legal consequences if caught. It is best to avoid attempting to intercept a radio station altogether.