OPERATIONAL MODES
INTRODUCTION FROM THE AUTHOR
In light of the declining desire among new clients to understand "what are modes and why are they necessary?", I am writing this text in hopes that everyone reading this will pay attention.
This text will contain a significant amount of repeated information that I have already published in various manuals or on the "Jammer Evolution History" page.
1. THE ORIGINS OF TECHNOLOGY
A long time ago, about 30-40 years ago in America, two companies emerged that began producing Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems, which included:
- Gates at the store entrance.
- Hard tags attached to the merchandise.
- Soft tag labels that are deactivated at the checkout.
They started doing this in such fundamentally different ways that there wasn't even a patent war (they were good businessmen and knew how to negotiate). Visually, you see almost the same thing, but in reality, they differ immensely from a technical standpoint. These two companies are Sensormatic and Checkpoint.
- Sensormatic invented AM technology with a primary frequency of 58kHz.
- CheckPoint invented RF technology with a primary frequency of 8.2MHz.
2. THE ERA OF COMPETITORS
Sometime after these two companies captured almost all global markets where such systems were needed, competing companies appeared.
By that point, there was no need to reinvent tags, labels, or stickers, and most importantly, there was no need to convince Retail of the necessity of these systems... Competitors only needed to manufacture the gates, WITHOUT VIOLATING THE MASSIVE PILE OF PATENTS held by those two companies.
This wasn't difficult, and starting from the 2000s, a huge number of competitors emerged:
Do you think they simply copied Sensormatic and Checkpoint technologies?
They achieved the same result without violating patents by doing it COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY, while making it look the same on the surface.
- Different signal processing algorithms.
- Different signals at the same frequency.
- Different interference filters.
- More stable and economical technologies, and SO ON!
Waking up around 2013-2014, Sensormatic and Checkpoint also began improving their gates, which is clearly demonstrated by a bunch of various transitional models that didn't even make it to the lists on their official websites.
3. NOW PAY EVEN CLOSER ATTENTION (ANALOGY)
Can a gasoline engine run on diesel fuel or sunflower oil? Can a truck tire be used for a passenger car? Would you try pouring windshield washer fluid into the engine? Would you try to unscrew a nut with a hammer?
In the world I had to create, it is the same...
Checkpoint algorithmic logic is most vulnerable to Mode 2, while being completely useless against CrossPoint, and CrossPoint algorithms are useless for some Lucatron models.
A single master key to all systems cannot be created because each system is the result of work by DIFFERENT inventors, programmers, and engineers. No, they didn't create these systems specifically to be protected against jammers; that's the last problem they thought about during R&D.
BUT!!! Most systems are vulnerable to Mode #1 and #2. However, you—owners of a no less sophisticated technology in your hands—are obligated to become a bit smarter.
As a result, we have a specific zoo of diverse EAS systems of ONLY TWO TYPES! AM and RF!
I have clients who have mastered this from scratch and now understand it as well as I do, because it's no harder than distinguishing a BMW from an AUDI or an OPEL by its body, logo, or headlight shape...
Similarly, in the security gate market, there are near-monopolies!
- In AM systems, Sensormatic holds most of the market.
- In RF systems, Checkpoint, NEDAP, and Gateway rule.
There are no more of them than there are car manufacturers, and THEY ALL DIFFER. Each gate manufacturer has its own specific design direction, its own quirks, and so on. Each of these manufacturers has model lines that differ, and this is AGAIN no harder than telling a Q7 from an A5. It is actually EASIER with gates! For this purpose, I have prepared all the photo layouts for all gates of ALL RF and AM systems.
4. HIDDEN GATES
And when you tell me the gates are hidden behind advertisements, I will answer:
— What about the gate lights? In most cases, they are not hidden. If the gates are hidden behind fabric, they are easily identified by their shape. If only the top or bottom is visible, that too gives a quick opportunity for understanding. If someone shows you just a HEADLIGHT, a bumper, or part of the body, could you distinguish a Mercedes headlight from a BMW, or a "bug-eye" from a Maybach? It's easy, extremely easy... it's no different with gates! And even young children can distinguish cars!!!
Specially for you, I have collected photos of all the most common gate models by manufacturer, and sometimes by specific model. ATTENTION TO DETAIL, look at how DIFFERENT THEY ALL ARE:
5. MANUAL AND CONTROL PHILOSOPHY
The manuals list recommended modes that correspond to MANUFACTURERS or models. Pay attention to the penultimate section of the jammer MANUALS, which are manuals only in name:
"The manual is not just text for reading, but a textbook—a collection of a vast amount of knowledge and experience. It contains answers to almost all questions and was created to fully transfer all necessary knowledge about control and practical application of this modern equipment.
Do not fear it; it is written in the most accessible and simple human language for the purpose of better understanding."
Creation History (Year 2018)
In 2018, by the time I had been selling jammers for over 6 years, I decided to do the following: Spend 2 months of my life to save much more of my time in the future.
For 2 weeks, I gathered all the questions about jammers I had ever been asked, invented more questions, and then collected my best answers from all correspondences and refined them again and again... all this turned into a huge pile of questions and answers, multi-directional and often unrelated.
Then I sorted them by category, topic, characteristics... I ended up with several piles. And then I removed the QUESTIONS, and a miracle happened. I saw that it could be properly systematized: "piles of answers without questions" turned into chapters, and the questions themselves turned into subsections and points..
As a RESULT, you see a SUPPOSED manual, but it is KNOWLEDGE ABOUT JAMMERS IN ITS HIGHEST CONCENTRATION. Some things you won't understand immediately for one reason: you haven't asked that question yet. In the process of starting to use it, or even after long-term use, you only need to read the entire manual again, and you will definitely find something new.
*Note: In the manual, I often downplayed the characteristics and user qualities of jammers to prevent creating OVERLY HIGH expectations; do not be surprised.
But the more information I created, the more I had to EXPLAIN IT. Some of those too lazy to even read started hitting me with questions, the answers to which were already in the manual. I started simply copying answers from there. This was convenient, but the refusal to engage in independent study is incredibly annoying.
In late 2019, I broke down and recorded several very complex videos about the button jammer control system (those different presses, only 7 of them). What did I get?
"- HALF AN HOUR IS TOO LONG, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND."
As a result: I created everything in text form, video form, and polished subtitles for the videos so people in any language could understand them. What else haven't I done? This text was originally written in November 2020—it was my attempt to ask you to DEVELOP yourself even just a little. I tested it: children aged 12-14 can easily understand all of this; they simply still know how to TEACH THEMSELVES NEW THINGS.
6. SCREWDRIVER OR CLUB? (Old Gates vs New Modes)
At this point, I must answer one of the most popular questions: "Is it possible to apply modes intended for modern gates to older models?"
— Yes, undoubtedly it is possible, and it is often effective.
BUT!!! Make the decision yourself, applying the fact that a precision electronic screwdriver (say, modes 6-10 in AM) cannot always replace the primitive club that base modes 1 and 2 are. For most older Sensormatic models, Mode #3 is suitable, but Modes #1 and #2 are still statistically more effective.
Some older models may cause you problems due to their power, which was reduced in newer gates in favor of precision and lower energy consumption (due to improved user characteristics of new gates: lower electricity costs, software interference filtering).
ALL OF THIS ALLOWS US TO MAINTAIN JAMMER EFFECTIVENESS AT THE LEVEL OF 15 YEARS AGO.
It's hard for you to grasp now, but the world has become incredibly complex. And if it weren't for the multi-year work of my team, you would be in danger using only Mode #1 at 6x lower power and without those minor modifications we integrated into this base mode during hundreds of insane experiments. No one would believe in the efficacy of AM jammers anymore.
The "WALL OF TEXT" here is so you understand that you will not succeed if you don't start learning to tell an old Opel from a new Land Cruiser.
7. WHAT ARE MODES IN GENERAL?
Technical Section
A "Jammer" is not a magic wand that creates a miraculous field that jams things. A "Jammer" is not a jammer at all, but a generator of various signals meant to deceive gate logic...
At the dawn of the first EAS jammers, it really did look like uniform noise at a frequency equal to the gate frequency. But after manufacturers began developing not analog gates but ones with software processing of the incoming signal, the era of dumb jammers ended.
So what does the jammer actually do and how does it all really work?
In reality, modern gates do not stop seeing the tag; they even see the "jammer" signal. But to make an "alarm" decision, the program needs very clear parameters and repeatedly confirmed data that it is indeed a tag (to reduce the probability of false alarms).
THE MECHANICS OF DECEPTION
What does the jammer do? It introduces errors into the calculations, preventing the gates from making the right decision. If a compatible operational mode is selected, when passing between gates with tags and the "jammer," the gates will produce no reaction because they will be in a state of "freezing" between choice of actions!
If the error-injection algorithms are incorrect (incompatible), the gates may react in a way that is completely inconsistent with our expected result:
- Not being jammed at all;
- Causing remote triggers;
- Freezing and rebooting with an alarm sound after you have passed through them.
What can we (YOU) do? Memorize the recommended modes for specific gate models, while keeping in mind that gate reception settings even for the same model of frames can differ. Also, even the hardware inside visually identical gates can differ.
Popular Question
At this point, many have asked: What's the problem with reading the gate signal and adapting our signal to respond correctly?
— *Sigh* (I begin, dragging it out...), almost all gates emit identical signals, but the entire essence lies inside the processor in the hardware-software environment where the ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES to the signal occurs.
And depending on the difference in analysis programs, different results are obtained. Different programmers write different programs, different companies use different methods and different hardware that has different filters and many different things that will never allow you to tell "exactly what's inside" from the outside appearance of the house.
Knowing the approximate parameters of mode application, over time after training runs, you will understand all of this so finely that the feeling of mastery over the situation will eventually pay off for all your efforts in self-development.
8. HOW TO CHECK CORRECTLY?
When you see something incomprehensible and unknown and cannot identify it via albums or otherwise:
Checking methods for AM and RF systems differ.
- AM systems may react remotely to incompatible modes.
- RF systems react to incompatible modes only in extreme cases.
From this, it follows that you can check an AM system for compatibility in most cases (!) simply by walking past the gates or just standing 1-2 meters away. After which, if there are no audio reactions, you can enter the store and, preferably, exit, only then making a decision on active operations.
Checking an RF system without entering the store is practically impossible, and it is preferable to have tags with you.
*CHECK — does not mean provoking a gate reaction, but checking for the purpose of identifying for which mode there is NO remote gate reaction, starting with the first recommended operational mode...
It is NOT NECESSARY to scroll further through modes to find out which mode will provoke an audible gate alarm. THIS MAKES NO LOGICAL SENSE!
Initial Test Run Instruction
FORGET ABOUT LIFTING ANYTHING IMMEDIATELY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE!
Check the charge.
Unlock the jammer (or both systems if you have a "2-in-1").
When approaching your target object, do not rush; first, you must identify if it is an AM or RF system.
Next, based on the photos reviewed, try to identify the model of this system, paying attention to shapes, lamps, and dimensions. Sooner or later, make no mistake, you will memorize these 50 gate models.
Identify the type and model, turn on one of the recommended modes, and enter the store. After walking 4-5 meters, exit the store. If no audio reactions occurred and you are sure you correctly identified the gate TYPE (AM or RF), you can proceed.
BUT! Based on experience consulting hundreds of users, I still recommend walking through another dozen such places before beginning real operations.
SPECIAL CASES (NONAME systems)
If you see a completely NONAME system ("typical smooth white board"), or gates 100% covered by BULKY advertising (no lamp holes, closed top):
!Tip! You can slightly lift your phone and take a photo of the top of the gates for short ones, or just peek over the top for tall ones. Believe me, no one will understand what you are doing even if they notice—take photos as if you are photographing the store.
- Pay attention to the placement of the lights;
- Check the labels;
- Identify the system TYPE via tags or stickers;
- Select a mode that causes no remote alarms, starting from #1 (if there are no reactions at all, enable base Mode 1);
- Enter and exit the store with tags and the jammer enabled.
If you cannot quickly identify a compatible mode using this method, send a photo to ME. I am always available, and if I am not sleeping, you will get an answer either instantly or within 10 minutes.
If you cannot handle identification on your own at first, I will help you with mode tips. But try to imagine the situation if everyone messaged me for every minor problem? I wouldn't have time for anything—I ask for your understanding; this is why all this ton of text, video, and photo material was created. But I will never refuse to help you.
The "Sock" Method (If you have no test tags)
If you do not have AM and RF tags and have no way to check the actual efficacy of the jammer, there is a simple way:
— enter a store, remove a HARD tag (not a sticker), place it in your sock or your shoe if you aren't wearing socks, and calmly walk toward the store exit.
If the gate system works and an alarm triggers, remain ABSOLUTELY calm and relaxed... step 1 pace back from the gates, lift your leg toward the gates, and the alarm will trigger again. With the words:
"- these are my shoes, just bought them recently", you can easily walk away without further suspicion. NO ONE WILL ASK YOU TO REMOVE YOUR SHOES OR CHECK THEM.
Now you know this simplest way to obtain any required number of tags for testing.
9. THE "ONE MODE" QUESTION
In conclusion, I want to answer the most frequent initial question (prior to the creation of this info) from beginning users:
— "Which mode is the main one, the one where I don't have to choose and can just walk around?"
In the seconds when I hear or see such a question, a nuclear charge explodes inside me... But every time, I find the strength to answer calmly:
- In the basic 2-in-1 jammer that has no mode selection (and is sold for special users who will never be able to read this text), the following are used as the primary jamming modes: for AM — Mode #1, for RF — Mode #1. The choice is made based on the fact that these modes provide statistically significantly higher coverage.
- In that case, you significantly increase risks and decrease your own efficiency, as the chances of a false gate alarm become much higher.
- You are limiting yourself in future development. Yes, undoubtedly, you can use only the first modes even in multi-mode devices, but, but, but...
Defeat the doubt that this is difficult. Just don't rush, and in any complex choice situation, come to me. Reread the info time after time. I promise you, you will discover this information from a new perspective, and at some point, you will realize how beneficial it is to understand all of this. And then you will say to yourself:
"- Wait, was it really that simple all along?"