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GPS tracking plays a vital role in fleet management for vehicle tracking, safety, and efficiency in today’s ever-evolving trucking industry. GPS jammers have become a major problem though, interfering with fleet tracking and risking operations immensely. Fleet managers must know how GPS jammers work and what to protect in order to stay in control and keep their fleet safe.
What are GPS Jammers?
A GPS jammer is a device that blocks the transmissions of the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. In other words, it prevents the GPS receiver from correctly finding its position by bouncing radio signals at the same frequency as the GPS signals. Due to the overlapping noise, the receiver can’t estimate where it is.
The most important application of these devices is avoiding GPS location monitoring, be it for privacy or for less honorable reasons such as avoiding the police or turning off fleet management software.
How do GPS Jammers Work?
GPS jammers also send signals at the same frequency that GPS receivers operate, about 1.65542 GHz for people in civilian use. The jammer works by overwhelming the receiver with more of the same. This is like trying to have a conversation in a room full of people screaming – making you unable to hear the person next to you.
Types of GPS Jammers
There are different types of GPS jammers, each offering different ranges and functionality:
- Portable Jammers: These are small, battery-powered jammers designed to be easily concealed. They typically operate with a range of a few meters.
- Vehicle Jammers: These jammers are carried by people in their vehicles. They can range several kilometers.
- High-Power Jammers: These are more powerful and can block GPS signals over a larger range. Military or government entities frequently deploy them.
How GPS Jammers Affect Fleet Management
Operational Disruptions
GPS tracking is essential in the trucking industry. It helps plan the routes and monitors the locations of vehicles to deliver orders on time and interact with drivers. In this case, a signal jammer can significantly disrupt the system.
Security Risks
GPS signal blockers can pose significant risks to commercial fleets. As cargo theft is still a considerable problem in the trucking industry, GPS tracking remains an effective inhibitor. By blocking a truck’s location signals, GPS Blockers enable thieves to circumvent protective technologies.
Compliance and Reporting
GPS jammers also affect HOS Compliance. Drivers and therefore fleet administrators must keep track of the duty statuses and exact movements of their trucks. GPS jamming will produce lost or incorrect information, leading to violations and possible regulatory fines.
Are GPS Jammers Legal?
GPS tracker jammers are illegal in most countries - the US, Canada, and the UK included. In the US, the Federal Communications Act of 1934 prohibits the sale, export, and use of GPS jammers. It can lead to fines and jail time for breaking these laws. Similarly, the Canadian Radiocommunication Act prohibits the use, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, and usage of GPS jamming equipment.
One of the most important reasons for banning the jammers is that they jam communications and navigation systems. GPS data is needed not only for driving but also for timing in several vital systems including communications, financial, and rescue services. Interference can trigger significant disruptions such as diverting emergency vehicles or crashing networks.
How to Detect GPS Jamming
When it comes to fleet management, TruckX offers advanced ELD and Fleet Management solutions. One of its benefits is its powerful data insights that allows you to see disruption early and stay in control. TruckX’s detailed reports and real-time notifications also help fleet owners spot broader patterns in jamming events immediately. They can track data to stop problems before they happen.
Conclusion
The GPS jamming can severely impact fleet management. It can cause many issues, from interfering with daily operations to increasing the risk of cargo theft. TruckX’s ELD and Fleet Management Platform provides historical reporting and real-time notifications, which allows you to stay up-to-date and keep your fleet running at maximum efficiency. Be alert, stay informed, and safeguard your fleet from the dangers of the GPS jammer.
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