General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOne simple reason for no phone calls from Malaysian flight 370.
From Time.com:
...But as anyone whose dinner, movie or recital has been interrupted by cell-phone calls can attest, there must be a way to thwart such calls. All you have to do is visit PhoneJammer.com to see a variety of such portable devices on offer.
A phone jammer transmits low-powered radio signals to cut off communications between cell phones and cell base stations, PhoneJammer.com says. It does not interfere with any communications other than cellular phones within the defined regulated zone. Upon activating a phone jammer, all idle phones will indicate NO NETWORK.
The portable units available from PhoneJammer.com include the Palm Mini Jammer (a cell-phone-size unit for $149 with a 5-m range, available in black, silver, beige and green), the High Power Portable Jammer (a smaller device with a range of up to 20 m for $205) and the Portable Adjustable Power Jammer ($395 with a range of up to 30 m and five-hour battery life).
Source: http://time.com/29111/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-phone-calls/
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)An airplane over open water at high altitude is probably too far away from any cell towers for on-board phones to work unless the plane has satellite reception capability.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)You are correct
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)whatever the destination ended up being...) There had to be some communication with those at that location somehow...
Uben
(7,719 posts)Simple answer.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)and no one else was able to hear said radio signal?
Uben
(7,719 posts)...if they were on the right frequency at the right time. But, they could have been communicating in code/language that the person listening could not understand.
Then again, it could have all been coordinated before the flight took place. Who knows?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)oldhippie
(3,249 posts).... is available in the HF spectrum?
(Do you know what the HF spectrum is?)
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)tkmorris
(11,138 posts)Furthermore, there are all manner of ways to conceal radio transmissions, or at least the content thereof. Radio Shack sells radios capable of this, it doesn't take much.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)We don't even know for sure yet whether there was a hijacking.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Uben
(7,719 posts)...why are cell phones allowed to operate in vehicles while the ignition is on? Since at least 60% of all accidents today are caused by cell phone activity, why don't we make them where they do not operate while the ignition is on? Hey, get a call, pull over, turn the ignition off, talk all you want, but no talking or texting while driving.
I'm on the road a lot. You can almost bet that someone is on the phone if you see them driving irratically.
seveneyes
(4,631 posts)No reason to lock out those not driving.
Uben
(7,719 posts)We make them wear seat belts....for their safety. Same principle.
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)closeupready
(29,503 posts)come last.'
SirRevolutionary
(579 posts)1) they weren't close enough to cell towers or 2) there was no time to call because the plane fell out of the sky. Either one seems pretty logical to me.