Topic: Millimeter Waves

The hosts provide a technical breakdown of why Boeing aircraft are particularly susceptible to 5G interference due to their fuselage composition and older altimeter designs. They argue the conflict is primarily a financial dispute over who pays for equipment upgrades. Furthermore, they suggest 5G's millimeter-wave signals could cause broader interference issues for future autonomous vehicle sensors.

Alternative thinker David Icke claimed that the rollout of 5G technology is responsible for the mass removal of mature urban trees in cities like Sheffield. Icke argued that 5G millimeter waves do not penetrate solid objects well, making trees a "nightmare" for the network. While some dismiss these claims, others suggest the 5G signals may actually be killing the trees, making the damage visible to the public.

The hosts debunk marketing claims regarding 5G low latency and high-speed downloads, arguing that the technology requires dangerous power levels to penetrate obstacles. They compare the rollout in the United States to Asia, noting that the U.S. is pushing higher frequencies that may have unknown health effects. Mention is made of the Louisiana Department of Health's decision to study the technology before a full rollout.

The benefits and risks of 5G technology were examined, focusing on the transition to high-frequency millimeter waves. While proponents highlight ultra-low latency and the ability to support millions of connected devices like autonomous vehicles and smart fridges, critics raise concerns about the lack of signal penetration through physical objects and the potential for increased surveillance.

Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's 2016 speech at the National Press Club outlined the US strategy for 5G, emphasizing "millimeter wave" signals and massive infrastructure deployment. Wheeler stated that the US would not wait for standards or safety studies, prioritizing being "first out of the gate" for economic reasons. He predicted that 5G would enable hundreds of billions of microchips to be connected in a vast "Internet of Things."

China is reportedly investing $400 billion in 5G infrastructure, leading to a geopolitical race for dominance in the wireless sector. Concerns are raised about the potential for Chinese-made Huawei and ZTE equipment to be used for surveillance or as a "kill switch." The segment compares 5G frequencies to military "millimeter wave" weapons, such as the Active Denial System, which uses high-power radio frequency to cause a burning sensation on the skin.

The show acknowledges high-value donations and bestows knighthoods upon several producers, including a government employee in Brussels. A donor's note regarding a "secondary groping" experience at Schiphol Airport prompts a discussion on the perceived ineffectiveness of millimeter-wave scanners. The hosts suggest these security technologies are "junk" pushed by profitable contractors rather than effective safety measures.

A listener report details an experience at Oakland and Portland airports regarding TSA screening technologies. The account claims that while passengers could opt out of backscatter radiation machines, they were told they could not opt out of millimeter wave scanners. The hosts advise filing formal complaints with Congress, asserting that passengers legally maintain the right to opt out of all such screening devices.

The European Union's ban on X-ray body scanners at airports is identified as a transition to millimeter wave technology rather than a reduction in security. Concerns are raised regarding the lack of long-term testing for millimeter wave radiation and its potential effects on human DNA. The hosts argue that behavioral screening, as used in Israel, is more effective than technological solutions.

NPR reports on the deployment of a Raytheon-built "ray gun" at the Pitches Detention Center in Los Angeles County. The non-lethal weapon uses millimeter waves to create an intense burning sensation on the skin to subdue rioting inmates. Media members, including an Estrella TV reporter, volunteered to be blasted by the device to demonstrate its effects.

The ACLU has criticized the use of the Active Denial System in jails, labeling it a potential torture device. The hosts discuss the long-term health risks, such as cataracts, and suggest that the deployment of such technology is a precursor to expanding the use of prison populations for slave labor. They argue that the government is choosing between high-tech suppression and mass incarceration.

Research from Los Alamos National Laboratory suggests that terahertz radiation used in airport scanners may cause damage to human DNA. The hosts highlight the lack of long-term health studies on millimeter-wave technology and the difficulty in accessing ANSI safety standards. They note that existing safety guidelines often focus on the operators of the machinery rather than the passengers being scanned.

The implementation of millimeter wave scanners at airports is criticized for producing high-resolution images that may violate child pornography laws. There are predictions that images of celebrities will eventually leak to tabloid sites like TMZ, leading to staged government investigations into privacy. Alternative security proposals mentioned include the use of security ID bracelets equipped with Taser devices to maintain passenger order.

The hosts investigate Rapiscan Systems, a provider of airport body scanners, noting that a man named Deepak Chopra is the founder of the parent company, OSI Systems. They attempt to verify if this individual is related to the New Age author or the US Chief Technology Officer, Anish Chopra.

The TSA is upgrading airport security to include millimeter wave full-body scanners, which will eventually become mandatory for passengers. While the agency claims the technology uses minimal radiation and "scatters" sensitive body parts in images, privacy concerns remain high. Dvorak recounts a personal experience at SFO where he was subjected to an "enhanced pat-down" despite passing through the scanner.