Chris Miller

the screamer is a portable device which enables a person to contact a target via comercial phone lines and upon activation renders them deaf. with a few minor modifications the screamer can also induce death or render modems and fax machines inoperable.

the human ear is a delicate instrument with the ability to hear in the 20hz to 20,000hz frequency range. loud noises can rupture the tympanic membrane and fracture or dislocate the auditory ossicles. extremely loud sounds can also damage the delicate tissue of the inner ear. the pain threshold has been set between 120db and 140db with the ear being most sensitive to sounds at 1000hz. cases of middle ear damage can be surgically repaired but those of the inner ear cannot.

all telephone switching equipment will pass sound between 300 to 3000hz. recently though with the proliferation of fiber optic technology it is possible to utilize 0hz to 4000hz. indeed most 24k to 28.8k modems require nearly full use of the ohz to 4000hz frequency range.

therefore the first and simplest model of the screamer consists of the ability to transmit high intensity sound at 1000hz and above 150db. this is the anti-personell version that would outperform later models in countries with under developed telecommunications because lack of bandwidth is not a problem.

the second anti-personel version consists of high decibel infra sound probably around 7hz. the target would be unaware that they were even being subjected to the device, as it is below the human frequency range, and a filter could be added to the screamer so that voice communications could take place to keep the target online. another option is the creation of a 10hz bullet or sonic packet to pierce the inner ear.

effects can vary depending on the long distance carrier and the originating and terminating phone lines. signal damage, frequency distortion and attentuation, can occur due to thermal noise, digital compression, multiplexing, power line hum, crosstalk, rfi (radio frequency interference) and lack of available bandwidth.

the optimum operational atmosphere for the screamer would be industrialized countries with well developed telecommunications. signal loss will occur even with version 1 in an underdeveloped communications atmosphere causing frequency shift and decibel loss.

for maximum effect the target must be subjected to the loudest possible sound for the longest amount of time while in close proximity to the ear. therefore infrasonic versions have a higher probability of inducing death. especially since targets exposed to high intensity low frequency sound first experience disorientation and reduced ability to perform sensory motor tasks. however the 1000hz version would do significant damage to targets wearing earphones or headset type phone gear. even regular phone handsets will do damage due to slow reactions or hands free operation, i.e. resting handset on the shoulder.

screamer models

• version 1 – high intensity sound above 150db centered at 1000hz
• version 2 – use of infra sound at high decibels
• version 3 – use of ultrasound at high decibels versions 2 and 3 can also be used for non-lethal applications, i.e. below the pain threshold, 120db, for creating nausea, discomfort and disorientation.
• version 4 – optimum frequency for interdiction of hard targets (experimentation required)

See Also: Screamer