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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: byteback
I am multi tasking

I am trading: Long S&P, Short Oil

I am programming: TCP/IP asynch socket connections to the IQFeed market data feed.

I am also, smoking, drinking coffee and chatting with a broker in VA via IRC


21 posted on 11/10/2005 10:17:12 AM PST by antaresequity (PUSH 1 FOR ENGLISH, PUSH 2 FOR SPANISH...)
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To: Clemenza

Now that's just gross. (Although it would be fun to wear at a PETA protest.)


22 posted on 11/10/2005 10:17:23 AM PST by Millee (As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!!)
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To: antaresequity

I knew it...


23 posted on 11/10/2005 10:17:57 AM PST by telebob
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To: antaresequity
Finally, a definitive study from a reputable organization.

There, take that, skeptics.

Proud member since 1971 of the industrial-sized Tin foil roll of the month club.

24 posted on 11/10/2005 10:18:07 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Monthly Donor spoken Here. Go to ... https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: PositiveCogins
That's the problem with their test. It's TIN foil not aluminum.
25 posted on 11/10/2005 10:19:42 AM PST by nomorelurker (wetraginhell)
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To: Clemenza

Draws flies, stinks after a few hours in the sun, dogs follow you hopefully, Archie Bunker calls your cell, etc.


26 posted on 11/10/2005 10:20:33 AM PST by saganite (The poster formerly known as Arkie 2)
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To: Dashing Dasher

27 posted on 11/10/2005 10:21:33 AM PST by day10 (Wherever you come near the human race there's layers and layers of nonsense.)
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To: saganite

ROFLOL


28 posted on 11/10/2005 10:23:24 AM PST by Clemenza (In League with the Freemasons, The Bilderbergers, and the Learned Elders of Zion)
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To: day10
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
29 posted on 11/10/2005 10:26:53 AM PST by Dashing Dasher (I'm going to become rich as soon as I invent a device that allows you to smack people over the web!)
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To: antaresequity
The study is flawed because several important styles were not tested:


Space helmut


Viking Kitty


Classic with sinus coverage


The Admiral


The Unicorn

30 posted on 11/10/2005 10:27:29 AM PST by Rebelbase (Food stamps, section-8, State paid Child support, etc. pay more than the min. wage.)
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To: Darksheare

Zotmaster ping


31 posted on 11/10/2005 10:28:32 AM PST by Professional Engineer (Happy birthday Jarheads!)
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To: r-q-tek86; Fierce Allegiance; pissant; JimWforBush
Hey, r-q-tek86, so this it what engineers do all day!
32 posted on 11/10/2005 10:44:07 AM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours.)
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To: Dashing Dasher

Hey! I love that flick!


33 posted on 11/10/2005 10:44:17 AM PST by day10 (Wherever you come near the human race there's layers and layers of nonsense.)
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To: day10

Good flick - no worries.


34 posted on 11/10/2005 10:45:42 AM PST by Dashing Dasher (I'm going to become rich as soon as I invent a device that allows you to smack people over the web!)
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To: antaresequity
Hey, if nothing else, they make a damned fine accessory.


35 posted on 11/10/2005 10:46:59 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts ("If the Marine Corp wanted you to have a wife, they'd have issued you one." - - Chesty Puller)
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To: longshadow; VadeRetro; balrog666; general_re; RadioAstronomer; js1138; whattajoke; Shryke; ...
Tinfoil Ping List

36 posted on 11/10/2005 10:54:00 AM PST by PatrickHenry (Expect no response if you're a troll, lunatic, retard, or incurable ignoramus.)
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To: PatrickHenry
We theorize that the government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason.

No, you can't scare me!
I'm stickin' with my tinfoil...

37 posted on 11/10/2005 11:19:18 AM PST by VadeRetro (Liberalism is a cancer on society. Creationism is a cancer on conservatism.)
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To: Godzilla

......Some body's got waaaaaaaaaaay too much time on their hands......

Perhaps they were gainfully employed with a grant funded by you!! It is MIT ya know.


38 posted on 11/10/2005 11:23:33 AM PST by bert (K.E. ; N.P . Chicken spit causes flu....... Fox News)
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To: andie74

Real engineering here. Think your DH could automate the tests for them?


39 posted on 11/10/2005 11:29:38 AM PST by John O (God Save America (Please))
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To: antaresequity

40 posted on 11/10/2005 11:46:28 AM PST by Pyro7480 (Sancte Joseph, terror daemonum, ora pro nobis!)
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