DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
True enough that! I am restricted to the Earth walk at all times. Sometimes, I can';t even manage that!Well you've never did the "Moonwalk" as did MJ?
Random Thoughts or Whatever
- Thread starter whoaru99
- Start date
Quadman2
Lunatic Member
But, you can travel the universe with your mind!
I tend to lean on music at times in order to escape this Globe. I can do it as well when I dive into a good book, but not to the same degree.
And when reading, I can't handle lyrics as they take away my focus. Classical works best for me...strings!
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DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
I'll second that. I often play my favorites play list in rando mode until something comes on that gives me an inspiration to imagine something, somewhere, or someone. Perhaps a song triggers thoughts about traversing the Pacific ocean in a freighter (oddly, it's NEVER the Atlantic!).
Years ago, when I still cared about "current events" - meaning news and happenings reported - I would waste all that mind time thinking (worrying) about those events. Then it hit me how limited that was.
Lately, I spend a lot of time thinking about an invention. I want a TOTAL MUTE button for the TV. Sure, it mutes the sound, but this one also kills the picture to black except for a tiny 2" square of the picture in the lower right, just so you can tell that the commericals are over and the screen has returned to the program of interest. Muting just the sound is insufficient protection. They can still get you with the picture.
Quadman2
Lunatic Member
^^^
The best muting button is the on/off button
Curious as to whether the newer Home Robot Companions will have that added option/feature of having an "on/off mute button"?
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Or a screwdriver and wire cutters. Cut the wire to the speaker. This is the best option if you live in a town with an ordinance about discharging a firearm.Keep a firearm handy.
DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
I shouldn't I know, but I take great secret pleasure in watching young rebellious kids disable delivery robots, shoot down drones, and interrupt robot delivery wagons. I know for sure that if drones had been around when I was 14, we would have made a special effort to bring down as many as possible. I suspect that we could have disabled a thousand "street cameras" with our sling shots too. We were just born 50 years too early.
As to the "shoot down drones" thing, , , , might wanna rethink that one......
Can you shoot down drones above your property?
No. It’s illegal under federal law to shoot at an aircraft. A private citizen shooting at any aircraft – including unmanned aircraft – poses a significant safety hazard. An unmanned aircraft hit by gunfire could crash, causing damage to persons or property on the ground, or it could collide with other objects in the air. Shooting at an unmanned aircraft could result in a civil penalty from the FAA and/or criminal charges from federal, state or local law enforcement.
Can I Shoot Down Drones Flying over my Property? – National Agricultural Law Center
"A common question that we have received with the proliferation of UAVs is whether a landowner can shoot down a UAV that is flying low over their property. The answer is an emphatic “No!” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in charge of regulating aircraft and the airspace where they operate. UAVs are classified as aircraft by the FAA (unmanned, but still aircraft) and under federal law, 18 U.S.C.A. § 32, it is felony to “damage, destroy, disable, or wreck any aircraft” and the potential punishment is up to twenty years in a federal prison."
18 U.S. Code § 32 - Destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities
Driving 40mph in a 35mph speed limit is illegal too. Where I live, if there is a drone hovering in my yard it is probably going down. At my age a life sentence in jail really isn’t that long.
Is there any chance you can start a PM with me?
I just tried to send you one and was unable to, I have a question you may or may not be able to answer for me.
DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
You must have lived in MY neighborhood! HA HA - - OMG, brings back so many memories.
Another favorite was Match Guns. You need a large wooden spool from Mom's sewing box. Strong rubber band, electrical tape, and those sent from God, large, Ohio BlueTip wooden matches. I think you can figure out how that worked!
DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
QUOTE (GROK)
- Kentucky (2015): William Merideth (often called the "Drone Slayer") was arrested after shooting down a neighbor's drone he claimed was hovering low over his backyard, invading his family's privacy. He faced felony charges of wanton endangerment and criminal mischief. A judge later dismissed the charges, ruling that Merideth had a right to protect his privacy (though the drone operator disputed the altitude and pursued a civil case that was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds).
- Florida (2024): Dennis Winn, a 72-year-old man, was arrested after shooting a Walmart delivery drone with a 9mm pistol over his property in Lake County, believing it was surveilling him. He faced charges including shooting at an aircraft, criminal mischief (over $1,000 in damage), and discharging a firearm in a residential area. He entered a plea agreement and was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to Walmart, avoiding jail time if he stays out of trouble.
- Virginia (2025): Bryan A. Jenkins was arrested after allegedly shooting down a drone used in a search for a lost dog as it flew over his property in Fauquier County. He was charged with destruction of property and reckless handling of a firearm. (Reports mention two men arrested in a related incident.)
Other cases include incidents in New York (e.g., a man arrested for shooting down a rescue group's drone during a lost dog search) and various reports of arrests or charges in states like Arkansas (mentioned in FAA discussions), though details vary.
In most cases, arrests happen under state laws for firearm misuse or property damage, even if the drone was over private property—courts often side against self-help destruction due to airspace rules and safety risks (bullets can travel far). Outcomes range from dismissals (like Kentucky) to fines/restitution (like Florida), but arrests themselves do occur when police respond.
The FAA strongly advises against shooting drones and notes it can lead to federal charges, though civilian cases are typically handled locally unless aggravated (e.g., involving law enforcement drones). If a drone is truly trespassing low or harassing, the recommended approach is reporting to local law enforcement or the FAA rather than taking action yourself.
END QUOTE
I'm about 63 years past my 14th birthday, so, I wouldn't be getting out MY slinghsot. But, I have spent "day-dream time" thinking about building a signal jammer.............and wondering what no one has yet (that I know of).
No need to be getting all "tough guy" here, as with all laws, enforcement is highly dependent on "whose ox is getting gored".......
Shoot down some kid's $50 or $100 drone and yeah, the stormtroopers likely ain't gonna be bustin down your door. Shoot down a local police department's search & rescue drone that's out lookin for an old person with dementia who has wandered off, and yeah, the hard guy act ain't gonna save ya when they bust down your door & drag you off.....
The question now becomes; CAN you tell the difference of which drone is which?
Because that's also illegal. The FCC would have something to say about it.
Any "serious" drone, (police search & rescue, for example) wouldn't be affected by any home made "signal jammer" anyway, so the point there is kinda moot;
Drones with "Return to Home" (RTH) capabilities automatically fly back to their take-off point using GPS when they lose signal connection with the controller. Upon signal loss, the drone pauses, ascends to a pre-set altitude, returns to the recorded home point, and lands safely, often utilizing obstacle avoidance sensors.
From an internet search of "Return To Home"
"Key Aspects of Return to Origin/Home (RTH):
- Trigger Mechanisms: RTH is activated automatically during signal loss (failsafe RTH), low battery, or manually via a controller button.
- GPS Reliance: The drone requires a strong GPS signal to record the initial takeoff spot as the "Home" point.
- Altitude & Obstacles: Drones typically fly at a pre-programmed altitude to clear obstacles during the return flight. Advanced drones use sensors to detect and avoid objects while returning.
- Procedure: Once the connection is lost, the drone usually hovers for a few seconds, climbs to a safe altitude, returns, and lands automatically."
The fun with these Federal laws is a bit like the whole 'opening someone else's mail is a federal offence'. The odds of the feds getting involved are pretty low. Even in the local mail theft situations where people empty out entire boxes, the best case scenario is police go to the individuals who's mail was stolen with the hope they had items of value so they can charge the people for that since they aren't the feds.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be the person they decide to make an example of either.
Plus, I believe flying a private drone out of line of sight requires additional permits or license, so in many cases the owner of the drone that is being brought down would be breaking federal laws.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be the person they decide to make an example of either.
Plus, I believe flying a private drone out of line of sight requires additional permits or license, so in many cases the owner of the drone that is being brought down would be breaking federal laws.
Sometimes texts can be misleading or misunderstood. I am not a tough guy. I just happen to live in a rural area, in a place that a drone has no business being in. I also don’t like some of the technology being forced on me. When gets to the point where it is in my yard watching me I feel I need to draw the line. I am willing to deal with the consequences, that’s all. We all have some limits as to what we tolerate.No need to be getting all "tough guy" here, as with all laws, enforcement is highly dependent on "whose ox is getting gored".......
Shoot down some kid's $50 or $100 drone and yeah, the stormtroopers likely ain't gonna be bustin down your door. Shoot down a local police department's search & rescue drone that's out lookin for an old person with dementia who has wandered off, and yeah, the hard guy act ain't gonna save ya when they bust down your door & drag you off.....
The question now becomes; CAN you tell the difference of which drone is which?
Yes indeed, there are two FAA categories of "UAS" operations (Unmanned Aircraft System). The first category is hobbyist use, which does indeed restrict "drone" flight operations to "LOS" (Line Of Sight) only. MANY hobbyist drone operators using "FPV" (First Person Video) disregard this rule and once the drone is out of their direct physical view they are in violation. The second category is "Part 107 operation" which is for the commercial use of drones and does allow beyond line of sight after obtaining an FAA waiver, while complying with other rulesets specific to commercial operation.
Commercial operations under part 107;
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-regulations-part-107
Hobbyist (recreational) operations;
