Probability of Getting Caught hijacking drive thru?

[crusher8576]

Is there any way that you can get caught screwing with Drive Thru frequencies? (Assuming you're very far away).  In a comment on youtube someone said that the FCC can do triangulation to find you.  Now I was a little skeptical mostly because it was a youtube comment and the person probably had no idea what they were talking about.  So is there any truth to this or is it bull?  Is there any way they can find you besides looking for an antenna or seeing you doing it?  Also, if they can track you down, how much trouble would you have to cause before they do?

Also, if you're caught using a ham radio without a license, is there any real punishment? (like a fine, etc.)

[rbcp]

I don't know if the FCC would bother to triangulate you, but local ham radio enthusiasts could.  They don't like it when people like us give them a bad name.

[crusher8576]

Would they really be listening on those frequencies?  I mean how would they even find out that you're messing with the drive thru in the first place, unless one of the employees was familiar with ham and told all their friends on ham?

I suppose if one really wanted to play it safe they could just go to a different spot every time they start screwing around, and making it impossible for them to find you.

[dennisr]

Noone will care enough to try to find you, even if some nutjob did they can't do shit. Local police won't care either.

[mr_doc]

Even the fast food place won't give a shit unless you do this for hours

[Lestan Gregor]

Is there any way that you can get caught screwing with Drive Thru frequencies? (Assuming you're very far away).  In a comment on youtube someone said that the FCC can do triangulation to find you.  Now I was a little skeptical mostly because it was a youtube comment and the person probably had no idea what they were talking about.  So is there any truth to this or is it bull?  Is there any way they can find you besides looking for an antenna or seeing you doing it?  Also, if they can track you down, how much trouble would you have to cause before they do?

Also, if you're caught using a ham radio without a license, is there any real punishment? (like a fine, etc.)

Broadcasting on any frequencies for which you have no license varies between 1,000 fine, 6 months prison to 25,000 dollars, 5 years in prison. A guy who was caught broadcasting on ham repeaters here in Reno without a license got fined 20,000 dollars. I doubt you'll have a problem as long as you're not too close and as long as you don't do it on a set schedule. Most Hams would probably find this hilarious...most of my ham buddies do.

[rbcp]

I know it's unlikely that a ham would find out about you, but there are plenty of them who take life way too seriously and would make it their mission to take you down.  And it wouldn't be too hard for them to find your location, even if you did change places every day.

[crusher8576]

hmm perhaps i should take this to the "is it worth it" forum   

[MattGSX]

To answer the "Is it Worth It?" part:

Yes. Totally worth it. Broadcasting without a license (as Lestan said) can be a big fine, but I'm doubting the first thing the dispatcher thinks when a fast-food restaurant calls is:
"Hey! I think you can pick those frequencies up on a ham radio! We should send some officers in to investigate!"

Depending on your community, if another radio user discovers you using this (which they shouldn't, because they really have no reason to be using these frequencies anyway), they may be amused enough to just join in.

[MelloKira]

I suppose if one really wanted to play it safe they could just go to a different spot every time they start screwing around, and making it impossible for them to find you.

You don't have to move around. After you install the 6.5536 MHz crystal, you'll be broadcasting at a much higher frequency than typical CB radios. So if the restaurant, etc. tries to track you down via triangulation, it will be hard for them to know what kind of device they're suppose to be looking for. They'll probably just give up (I know I've never been caught...)

[Nod]

I suppose if one really wanted to play it safe they could just go to a different spot every time they start screwing around, and making it impossible for them to find you.

You don't have to move around. After you install the 6.5536 MHz crystal, you'll be broadcasting at a much higher frequency than typical CB radios. So if the restaurant, etc. tries to track you down via triangulation, it will be hard for them to know what kind of device they're suppose to be looking for. They'll probably just give up (I know I've never been caught...)

I can't decide if you're kidding or not....

[Tenorclefninja]

I suppose if one really wanted to play it safe they could just go to a different spot every time they start screwing around, and making it impossible for them to find you.

You don't have to move around. After you install the 6.5536 MHz crystal, you'll be broadcasting at a much higher frequency than typical CB radios. So if the restaurant, etc. tries to track you down via triangulation, it will be hard for them to know what kind of device they're suppose to be looking for. They'll probably just give up (I know I've never been caught...)

Where can you get one of those?!?!?!? har har har.