RF-Hacker fun with the drive-thru window
 

In article ,
says...

snippety

Actually, they're probably speaking the truth! There are a lot of
overweight people in the area. I know, I'm one of them. In addition to
that, it's fact that Burger King food is very fatning. Maybe they feel
they're providing a public service! People need to lighten up, and regain
their sense of humor. The whole world is too uptight!

I would fully agree with that. However, I don't agree with the
pranksters cussing at people. That's just plain uncalled for.

On the weight comments, though... chuckle! Yep, I think fast-
food restaurant managers are getting a hard-and-fast education in the
downfalls of using radio links for their drive-through intercoms. ;-)


--
Dr. Anton Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, KC7GR)
kyrrin a/t bluefeathertech d-o=t c&o&m
Motorola Radio Programming & Service Available -
http://www.bluefeathertech.com/rf.html
"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (Red Green)

Nearly all Target stores use 155.955Mhz with an 179.9 CTCSS tone.

Many McDonalds still operate on 154.600Mhz with an 82.5 CTCSS tone, although
some have migrated to 457 or 469Mhz UHF. Output is commonly on 35.020Mhz.

Burger King often uses 154.540Mhz with an 88.5 CTCSS. Output is commonly
33.400Mhz.

Taco Bell commonly uses 151.895Mhz with an 88.5 CTCSS. Output is commonly on
33.400.

For best results, use a scanner to monitor the output frequency. Make sure
there is sufficient space between your transmitting and receiving (scanner)
antennas so as to prevent bleedthrough from the transmitter when monitoring the
output. This way, you will hear exactly what the clerk hears and know
precisely how well you are getting into the system.

Modified dual-band ham transceivers are excellent for this type of work.
Business band radios that are user-programmable "on-the-fly" (no programming
software required) are a close second.

Coming up in our next episode: Crossbanding between fast-food restaurants...or
"Hearing Burger King customers order Nacho Chalupas while Taco Bell patrons
express their desire for Whoppers!"

In article , "Eddie Haskel"
writes:

These headsets are NO LICENSE part 15 devices. Read the laws on part 15. It
says that the end user MUST ACCEPT any and all interferance to the part 15
device PERIOD. They have no guard band, no protection (no frequency
co-ordination) against other users on 154.57 and 154.600. What Booger-King
sees as malious, might be acceptable on MURS 4 and 5.

Do we know for sure which frequency was being used?

Most Burger Kings do not use 154.570/154.600. The ones I have monitored use a
customer input frequency of 154.540. This is a licensed business band
frequency, NOT a no-license MURS frequency.

Other common fast food inputs are 154.515 and 151.895. These are also licensed
business band frequencies.

Damn...and all the burger joints around here are still on 33-40MHz....


On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 18:23:59 -0500, "kiebassa 20"
wrote:

from:
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm...atestheadlines

Burger King (drive-thru) customers told: 'You are Too Fat to have a
Whopper'

Police believe teenage pranksters are hacking into the wireless
frequency of a US Burger King drive-through speaker to tell
potential customers they are too fat for fast food.

Policeman Gerry Scherlink said the pranksters told one
customer who had just placed an order: "You don't
need a couple of Whoppers. You are too fat. Pull ahead."

The offenders are reportedly tapping into the wireless frequency
at the restaurant in Troy, Michigan. Police believe the culprits
are watching and broadcasting from close range.
Officer Scherlinck said the men are telling customers who order
a Coca-Cola that, "We don't have Coke." And when the customer
asks what they do have, the hacker would say: "We don't have
anything. Pull ahead."

But what has managers concerned is the profanity the
hackers are using, according to police.

A drive-through customer has told police
if he had children with him in the car and
someone used profanity, he would have been upset.
Burger King franchise owner Tony Versace issued
the following statement in response to the
incidents: "We apologise to our customers who've
been insulted by the use of this drive-through speaker."

Management at the fast-food restaurant are reportedly
trying to change the radio frequency used for the
(drive thru) speakers.

See also: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2750963/detail.html

and: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2749445/detail.html

"Dave Hall" wrote:

If I was standing on the street, and
you walked up to me, are you not
permitted to make whatever
comment you see fit? There is this
thing called the 1st amendment......
So why should it be any different
through a radio? (snip)


There are limits to free speech, Dave. In this case, the answer would be
no if the comments were slanderous, defamatory, racist, or done in a
threatening or harassing manner. Making unwelcomed comments about a person's
appearence (especially when transmitted over the public airways) could be
considered harassment, and I doubt the First Amendment would protect such
actions.


That depends. If the business was
employing FCC part 15 radio gear,
then they can expect no protection
from interference. (snip)


That addresses normal interference, not the intentional act of malicious
interference. Malicious interference is a violation of FCC rules. And, in
case you're wondering, the First Amendment would not protect a person here
either - the person would not be charged for what was said, but for doing so
in a manner (using equipment, etc) which violates FCC rules.


Maybe. I guess it all depends on
the level of malice and the effect
that the disruptions had. From
what I've heard, the interference
consisted mostly of random
insulting comments, and not
necessarily jamming of the system
in a way that would prevent it
from working.


This brings another issue into question. Some states have laws to protect
the normal operations of a business - to prevent malicious interference with
that. It is also possible these laws, if available, might come into play
here.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

In article , "w4jle" W4JLE(remove this to
writes:

Courtesy of the local high power CB'er. The problem became so bad that the
FCC allowed local enforcement.

The recent legislation allowing local LEOs to prosecute illegal behavior ONLY
applies to CB radio operators. At the request of the ARRL and other ham radio
groups, it was specifically written to NOT apply to business band, hams, etc.

Therefore, this would not apply here.

In article , Dave Hall
writes:

I don't know all the pertinent details of this issue. But it's also
possible that the "drive thru" system which was "hacked" ( I hate
using computer terms to describe radio actions) was on the older 154
Mhz frequency band. One of those drive thru frequencies, in common use
in my area, is now part of the MURS allocation. Since MURS radios are
legal to be used, the only possible infraction that the FCC could
bring in this case, would be deliberate interference.

Only true if Burger King was using a MURS frequency, which I doubt. All the
Burger Kings I have found (those which have not yet migrated to 900Mhz) are on
154.515 or 154.540Mhz.

Neither of these are MURS frequencies. Both are licensed business radio
service frequencies.

"Dinque Dau" wrote:

Aw, come on. Lighten up. This thread is
about frequencies used by fast food
establishments and "what if". Leave it
to a couple of guys to take it to the next
"what if" level, i.e. legal repercussions
and ensuing arguments between egos.
Give it a rest, guys.


I've been reading this thread since the very beginning and issues of
legality were raised very early in the discussion. And, as far as I can see,
our discussion of the legal issues does not hinder your ability to discuss
whatever you want about this situation. So I have to respond with a request
for you to "lighten up" - you discuss what you want and we'll do the same.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

Please do provide proof of this.
"Ewie" wrote in message
...

"SouthDakotaRadio" wrote in message
...
In article , "w4jle" W4JLE(remove this
to
writes:

Courtesy of the local high power CB'er. The problem became so bad that
the
FCC allowed local enforcement.

The recent legislation allowing local LEOs to prosecute illegal behavior
ONLY
applies to CB radio operators. At the request of the ARRL and other ham
radio
groups, it was specifically written to NOT apply to business band, hams,
etc.

Therefore, this would not apply here.


BZZZZZZZZT! Wrong! Applies to ham radio operators, business
band, and ALL radio operations. LEOs can jack up ham radio
ops in a heartbeat!

Ewie

"Eddie Haskel" wrote in message
. ..
Blow me Roger...silly back yard lawyer. Send everything you see on usenet
to
the FBI. Class(or in your case classless clown)


I always report a crime, or a person instigating commission of a crime.
It is my duty as a member of the militia, and as a citizen of the US.

Your response is typical of what I would expect from the inmates of a
prison.

I'm sure you can explain it to a Judge!