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On the Effectiveness of Aluminium Foil Helmets:An Empirical Study
MIT ^ | 17 Feb 2005 | Ali Rahimi - Others

Posted on 11/10/2005 10:07:00 AM PST by antaresequity

On the Effectiveness of Aluminium Foil Helmets:

An Empirical Study

Ali Rahimi1, Ben Recht 2, Jason Taylor 2, Noah Vawter 2
17 Feb 2005

1: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department, MIT.
2: Media Laboratory, MIT.

Abstract

Among a fringe community of paranoids, aluminum helmets serve as the protective measure of choice against invasive radio signals. We investigate the efficacy of three aluminum helmet designs on a sample group of four individuals. Using a $250,000 network analyser, we find that although on average all helmets attenuate invasive radio frequencies in either directions (either emanating from an outside source, or emanating from the cranium of the subject), certain frequencies are in fact greatly amplified. These amplified frequencies coincide with radio bands reserved for government use according to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Statistical evidence suggests the use of helmets may in fact enhance the government's invasive abilities. We theorize that the government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason.

Introduction

It has long been suspected that the government has been using satellites to read and control the minds of certain citizens. The use of aluminum helmets has been a common guerrilla tactic against the government's invasive tactics [1]. Surprisingly, these helmets can in fact help the government spy on citizens by amplifying certain key frequency ranges reserved for government use. In addition, none of the three helmets we analyzed provided significant attenuation to most frequency bands.

We describe our experimental setup, report our results, and conclude with a few design guidelines for constructing more effective helmets.

Experimental Setup

The three helmet types tested
The Classical The Fez
The Centurion

We evaluated the performance of three different helmet designs, commonly referred to as the Classical, the Fez, and the Centurion. These designs are portrayed in Figure 1. The helmets were made of Reynolds aluminium foil. As per best practices, all three designs were constructed with the double layering technique described elsewhere [2].

A radio-frequency test signal sweeping the ranges from 10 Khz to 3 Ghz was generated using an omnidirectional antenna attached to the Agilent 8714ET's signal generator.

The experimental apparatus, including a data recording laptop, a $250,000 network analyser, and antennae.

A network analyser (Agilent 8714ET) and a directional antenna measured and plotted the signals. See Figure 2.

Because of the cost of the equipment (about $250,000), and the limited time for which we had access to these devices, the subjects and experimenters performed a few dry runs before the actual experiment (see Figure 3).

Test subjects during a dry run.

The receiver antenna was placed at various places on the cranium of 4 different subjects: the frontal, occipital and parietal lobes. Once with the helmet off and once with the helmet on. The network analyzer plotted the attenuation betwen the signals in these two settings at different frequencies, from 10Khz to 3 Ghz. Figure 4 shows a typical plot of the attenuation at different frequencies.

A typical attenuation trace form the network analyser

Results

For all helmets, we noticed a 30 db amplification at 2.6 Ghz and a 20 db amplification at 1.2 Ghz, regardless of the position of the antenna on the cranium. In addition, all helmets exhibited a marked 20 db attenuation at around 1.5 Ghz, with no significant attenuation beyond 10 db anywhere else.

Conclusion

The helmets amplify frequency bands that coincide with those allocated to the US government between 1.2 Ghz and 1.4 Ghz. According to the FCC, These bands are supposedly reserved for ''radio location'' (ie, GPS), and other communications with satellites (see, for example, [3]). The 2.6 Ghz band coincides with mobile phone technology. Though not affiliated by government, these bands are at the hands of multinational corporations.

It requires no stretch of the imagination to conclude that the current helmet craze is likely to have been propagated by the Government, possibly with the involvement of the FCC. We hope this report will encourage the paranoid community to develop improved helmet designs to avoid falling prey to these shortcomings.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Andy (Xu) Sun of the MIT Media Lab for helping with the equipment, Professor George Sergiadis for lending us the antennae, and Professor Neil Gershenfeld for allowing us the use of his lab equipment.


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: aluminum; foil; mit; paranoia; zeronewsvalue
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To: bert
!

Bauxite + Russian Aluminum Stockpile + Marc Rich = Clinton



? World Bond Markets + Political Disruption + Futures Manipulation = Soros
61 posted on 11/11/2005 4:27:42 AM PST by Robert A Cook PE (-I contribute to FR monthly, but ABBCNNBCBS supports Hillary's Secular Sexual Socialism every day.)
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To: sionnsar; patton; maxwell

Is patton interested?


62 posted on 11/11/2005 4:28:34 AM PST by Robert A Cook PE (-I contribute to FR monthly, but ABBCNNBCBS supports Hillary's Secular Sexual Socialism every day.)
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To: RadioAstronomer

How did get they get the sensor (receiver) INSIDE the helmet for reception testing?

It would have to be embedded in the center of the head when testing directional reception, wouldn't it?


63 posted on 11/11/2005 4:30:56 AM PST by Robert A Cook PE (-I contribute to FR monthly, but ABBCNNBCBS supports Hillary's Secular Sexual Socialism every day.)
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To: sionnsar
Geezer Geek Ping? LOL.

I'm 31 but I have quite the assortment of visible grey hair. Do I qualify as a geezer...or do I have to wait awhile?

64 posted on 11/11/2005 4:31:38 AM PST by BureaucratusMaximus (The 2005 Chicago White Sox---World Series Champs---WOO! HOO!)
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To: antaresequity

The problem is that those who wear tin foil beanies don't have many thoughts which the government would find worth the trouble accessing.

It does, however, provide a good laugh.

Regards, Ivan


65 posted on 11/11/2005 4:34:38 AM PST by MadIvan (You underestimate the power of the Dark Side - http://www.sithorder.com/)
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To: BureaucratusMaximus
Geezer Geek Ping? LOL.

Well, I've never actually set up any criteria other than self-identification as a Geezer Geek, so your credentials are whatever you would like them to be.

66 posted on 11/11/2005 8:31:45 AM PST by sionnsar (†trad-anglican.faithweb.com† || (To Libs:) You are failing to celebrate MY diversity! || Iran Azad)
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To: BureaucratusMaximus

Is that a sufficiently bureaucratic answer? (;-)


67 posted on 11/11/2005 8:32:28 AM PST by sionnsar (†trad-anglican.faithweb.com† || (To Libs:) You are failing to celebrate MY diversity! || Iran Azad)
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To: Berosus; blam; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Do not dub me shapka broham; Ernest_at_the_Beach; ...

****! I use the Centurion, myself. Back to the drawing board.


68 posted on 11/11/2005 9:42:49 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Down with Dhimmicrats! I last updated my FR profile on Wednesday, November 2, 2005.)
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To: snarks_when_bored; Right Wing Professor
Ping!

(if you haven't seen it already, that is.)

This is just trawling for an IgNoble prize... :-)

69 posted on 11/11/2005 6:35:50 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: antaresequity
Humorous, over-busy posting deleted...

For your own sake, I suggest you go listen to the song Stress (a.k.a. "Addicted to Stress") by Jim's Big Ego.

Cheers!

70 posted on 11/11/2005 6:37:39 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: antaresequity; MeekOneGOP; Conspiracy Guy; DocRock; King Prout; SandyInSeattle; Darksheare; ...
Well, that's my weekend shot to hell.


71 posted on 11/12/2005 3:39:43 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (Note for visitors at Arafat's grave - first dance, THEN pee.)
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To: sr4402

simplify please!


72 posted on 11/12/2005 3:44:26 PM PST by calrighty ( Watch " The Beeber Story ", written by al baby, produced by Hugh Series. Troops BTTT)
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE

" World Bond Markets + Political Disruption + Futures Manipulation = Soros"

Hey! That's pretty hot dam good! Bump!


73 posted on 11/12/2005 3:46:16 PM PST by calrighty ( Watch " The Beeber Story ", written by al baby, produced by Hugh Series. Troops BTTT)
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE; Slings and Arrows

Those black helicopters have been painted white so we wouldn't know they're black.


74 posted on 11/12/2005 4:38:45 PM PST by LucyT
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To: calrighty; sr4402

simplify please!

P

L

E

A

S

E

.... I could type slower, but i'm hoping this'll help. 8<)

75 posted on 11/12/2005 4:51:16 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (-I contribute to FR monthly, but ABBCNNBCBS supports Hillary's Secular Sexual Socialism every day.)
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To: antaresequity

76 posted on 11/12/2005 5:06:01 PM PST by P.O.E. (Liberalism is the opiate of the elite classes.)
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To: sionnsar

Please ping me.


77 posted on 11/12/2005 5:19:08 PM PST by MoochPooch (A righteous person worries about his or her behavior, an extremist about everyone else's.)
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To: Robert A. Cook, PE
Dr. Cook...

You need to type Slowerer

Let me help you and demonstrate:

P       L          E              A               S                     E

By extending the spacing you enhance the ability of the receipient to attenuate and get the message...

Try it...

78 posted on 11/12/2005 5:19:09 PM PST by antaresequity (PUSH 1 FOR ENGLISH, PUSH 2 TO BE DEPORTED)
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To: antaresequity

79 posted on 11/12/2005 5:21:55 PM PST by demkicker
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To: antaresequity

Why am I thinking of that old Beetles song now?


80 posted on 11/12/2005 5:26:32 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (-I contribute to FR monthly, but ABBCNNBCBS supports Hillary's Secular Sexual Socialism every day.)
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