GPS jammers prevent air traffic controllers from receiving critical location data about the aircraft's position in the sky or on the runway

With so many companies now secretly equiping company-owned vehicles with GPS trackers in an effort to improve fleet management and vehicle safety, it's no surprise that some employees who drive these cars feel their privacy is being violated. Unfortunately, disagreeing with the measures your employer uses to monitor driving activity is no excuse to take matters into your own hands. That's exactly what the Hunterdon resident learned the hard way when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fined him more than $30,000 for using a GPS signal jammers to hide his driving activity from his boss.

Devices that block or interfere with GPS signals are illegal because today's communications rely heavily on satellite technology. That's why a heavy sentence was handed down after an investigation determined that GPS jammer Gary Bojczak had eluded his employer in operating Newark Liberty International Airport, monitoring the damage caused by communications. The fine may have been high, but in reality, Bojczak was lucky he didn't get a jail sentence for his actions. The reason for this is that GPS jammers not only prevent vehicle tracking devices from picking up signals, but also prevent people working in air traffic control from receiving critical location data about the aircraft's position in the air or on the runway. The investigation began after the FCC received a formal complaint from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that its Ground Augmentation System (GBAS) was interfered with at Newark Liberty Airport. The tracking system assists air traffic controllers by providing accurate navigation data that is used during landings, takeoffs, and any other movements occurring in or around the airport. The investigation began after the FCC received a formal complaint from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that its Ground Augmentation System (GBAS) was interfered with at Newark Liberty Airport. The tracking system assists air traffic controllers by providing accurate navigation data that is used during landings, takeoffs, and any other movements occurring in or around the airport. The investigation began after the FCC received a formal complaint from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that its Ground Augmentation System (GBAS) was interfered with at Newark Liberty Airport. The tracking system assists air traffic controllers by providing accurate navigation data that is used during landings, takeoffs, and any other movements occurring in or around the airport.

With the help of radio monitoring equipment, investigators found that in early August 2012, a red van located on airport property was able to interfere with the GBAS, sending signals at frequencies limited by law. Evidence led investigators to Bojczak, who admitted to using GPS jammers to hide from his employer, who connected a hidden GPS tracker to his work truck. Bojczak was with investigators and turned over the GPS jammer without protest. Although the frequency of the signal sent by the GPS jammer interfered with the GBAS, investigators said no flights were ever in danger at Newark Airport.