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

You forgot FReeping!

41 posted on 11/10/2005 12:14:10 PM PST by andyandval
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To: Professional Engineer

NOT my fault.
Honest.


42 posted on 11/10/2005 1:08:36 PM PST by Darksheare (I'm not suspicious & I hope it's nutritious but I think this sandwich is made of mime.)
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To: antaresequity

LOL!


43 posted on 11/10/2005 1:12:59 PM PST by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: PatrickHenry; RadioAstronomer

Looks like the inside of RA's secret lab...

44 posted on 11/10/2005 3:09:53 PM PST by Aracelis
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To: Aracelis; PatrickHenry

Nawwww... I have far more equipment than that. LOL!


45 posted on 11/10/2005 3:13:19 PM PST by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
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To: RadioAstronomer
I have far more equipment than that. LOL!

*cough*choke*sputter*

I am now cleaning hot tea from my keyboard. Thanks a lot! :)

46 posted on 11/10/2005 3:23:18 PM PST by Aracelis
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To: TXBSAFH; SouthernBoyupNorth; Ichneumon; Professional Engineer; Dont Mention the War; Polyxene; ...

Geezer Geek ping.

This is a very low-volume ping list (typically days to weeks between pings).
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this list.

47 posted on 11/10/2005 3:33:24 PM PST by sionnsar (†trad-anglican.faithweb.com† || (To Libs:) You are failing to celebrate MY diversity! || Iran Azad)
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To: sionnsar; antaresequity

I'll take the Aluminum, in the form of Aluminum OxyNitride, for the visor of the helmet.


48 posted on 11/10/2005 3:51:16 PM PST by NicknamedBob (If I were not a husband and father, I might be wealthier, but I wouldn't be richer.)
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To: John O

Oh, you bet he could automate the tests...and could even post the results in RealTime.

A


49 posted on 11/10/2005 4:36:59 PM PST by andie74 (A charter member of "Italians for Alito")
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To: antaresequity

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.

Bauxite shares, it's all Bush's fault.

Figure it out, Bauxite+Halliburton+Cheney=Bush.

Simple once you go to a copper helmet, it's all clear then.


50 posted on 11/10/2005 4:41:46 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: tet68

......Bauxite+Halliburton+Cheney=Bush......

You got the equation wrong.

Bauxite + Russian Aluminum Stockpile + Marc Rich = Clinton

That equation is bonefide world history



51 posted on 11/10/2005 4:47:42 PM PST by bert (K.E. ; N.P . Chicken spit causes flu....... Fox News)
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To: NicknamedBob
I'll take the Aluminum, in the form of Aluminum OxyNitride, for the visor of the helmet.

Expecting a little flak to come your way?

52 posted on 11/10/2005 5:21:54 PM PST by sionnsar (†trad-anglican.faithweb.com† || (To Libs:) You are failing to celebrate MY diversity! || Iran Azad)
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To: sionnsar
"Expecting a little flak to come your way? "

I'll want my space suit helmet to be made of the best materials available.

53 posted on 11/10/2005 5:43:00 PM PST by NicknamedBob (If I were not a husband and father, I might be wealthier, but I wouldn't be richer.)
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To: tet68
Simple once you go to a copper helmet, it's all clear then.

LOL

Viperidae: Agkistrodon contortrix

54 posted on 11/10/2005 5:53:50 PM PST by antaresequity (PUSH 1 FOR ENGLISH, PUSH 2 TO BE DEPORTED...)
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To: Aracelis

hehe!


55 posted on 11/10/2005 7:27:52 PM PST by RadioAstronomer (Senior member of Darwin Central)
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To: Godzilla

I mean, I commend their efforts, but I sure as hell hope this was not a government sponsored study, i.e. paid for by my taxes.


56 posted on 11/10/2005 9:14:12 PM PST by singfreedom ("Victory at all costs,.......for without victory there is no survival."--Churchill--that's "Winston")
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To: Millee

Thanks, but "no, thanks". I'll just stick with my fur coats!


57 posted on 11/10/2005 9:17:58 PM PST by singfreedom ("Victory at all costs,.......for without victory there is no survival."--Churchill--that's "Winston")
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To: PositiveCogins
"I wonder if they are government plants."

I wonder whether they are potted plants...

58 posted on 11/10/2005 9:22:58 PM PST by decal (Mother Nature and Real Life are conservatives; the Progs have never figured this out.)
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To: antaresequity
Is there any significance to the British spelling of "aluminum" in the headline? Both versions were used in the body of the article. I hope the results weren't affected by this.

Also, did anyone consider using transparent aluminum in the tests?
59 posted on 11/10/2005 9:31:38 PM PST by decal (Mother Nature and Real Life are conservatives; the Progs have never figured this out.)
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To: antaresequity; sionnsar; maxwell; Cyber Liberty; AFPhys; theDentist; MeekOneGOP

But what if the black helicopter is covered with aluminum foil prior to transmission of the GPS-attentuated signals?

I see the need for further study.


60 posted on 11/11/2005 4:25:01 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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