The sound that repels troublemakers

[Beorn]

The sound that repels troublemakers

A device emitting a soundwave which is designed to drive young troublemakers away from a problem area of Swindon has been hailed as a success. Listen to the sound online.

The 'Mosquito' sonic deterrent device was installed by the Wyvern Theatre in an attempt to stop groups of up to 100 youngsters from gathering around Theatre Square.

It was named the 'Mosquito' because the sound resembles that of a buzzing insect. And it works by emitting a harmless ultra sonic tone that generally can only be heard by people aged 25 and under. In trials, it has proven that the longer someone is exposed to the sound, the more annoying it becomes.

Crime Reduction Officer Bob Walton elaborated further: "Effectively, it's a transmitter which sends out a specialised frequency noise which according to the manufacture is particularly audible to young people under the age of 25.

He said: "I'm in my fifties and when it's turned on all I can hear is a very faint buzz. But I understand from young people who have been exposed to the noise, it is very annoying."
Swindon's anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Cheri Wright says it is working well.
She said: "We had a meeting with local retailers arounds here - after it had been installed for around three weeks - and feedback was really positive.
"Everyone was saying there has been a marked reduction in criminal damage and problems with the shops, so they've really welcomed it."
Click the link below to listen to an MP3 of the 'Mosquito' sonic deterrent soundwave to see if you are susceptible or not.

Hear the track here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/audio/mosquito_sound.mp3)


Source (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2006/04/04/mosquito_sound_wave_feature.shtml)

I must say I couldn't hear a damn thing, but my ear drums are actually aching at the minute.

I found this (http://www.ultrasonic-ringtones.com/) online sound test which goes through the ranges of frequency.

The highest I could hear was 21.1 kHz. What's yours?

[Beorn]

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6042/fsd.jpg

[Útrám]

Just another half-baked solution to crime, to drive away bothersome flies does not stop bothersome flies.

[Beorn]

Just another half-baked solution to crime, to drive away bothersome flies does not stop bothersome flies.

So...I take it you couldn't hear the top frequency then? :)

[Absinthe]

:D

You are a thirtysomething
You're a little frustrated that you can't hear all the tones that the young 'uns can but will be more than happy if it means you don't have to listen to their damn ringtones on the bus anymore.

The highest pitched ultrasonic mosquito ringtone that I can hear is 14.9kHz

[Útrám]

So...I take it you couldn't hear the top frequency then? :)

I am 21 and I heard it quite well. IMO this will just slightly limit crime, most ruffians may be dimwitted but they'll just say "Okay, let's just go and fuck with people some place else"

[The Lawspeaker]

Why not lock the local troublemakers up some place safe and put them to work and deport the imported troublemakers ? That's the only real sensible approach and a lot cheaper !

[Beorn]

God damn it! I must be the only member who posts lowbrow and has highbrow discussions break out.

[Bloodeagle]

Perhaps the shuck-shuck noise of a pump shotgun would make an effective backup sound for those harder headed rufians, Wat.... Many say that the sound will make a criminal crap in his drawers. :)

[Lenny]

I found this (http://www.ultrasonic-ringtones.com/) online sound test which goes through the ranges of frequency.

The highest I could hear was 21.1 kHz. What's yours?

The highest I could definitely & clearly hear was 15.8 ... I think I could very faintly hear 16.7 ... very faintly.


What's the frequency of the "anti under-age-25 crimefighting device"?

[anonymaus]

Please keep in mind while you're playing around with this:

a) digital compression on such sounds often means you're hearing audio artefacting rather than a pure tone, allowing you to "hear" a tone your ears can't perceive, which brings me to

b) it is probable that whatever speakers or headphones you possess are not audiophile grade and as such are likely incapable of reproducing sounds above 20Khz (the ultrasonic range): that is the most common upper frequency humans can hear and as such is the upper end of most reproduction equipment's frequency range.

If, on the other hand, you have some higher grade equipment and a tone generator (or lossless recording) you would be able to test this definitively.

[Psychonaut]

b) it is probable that whatever speakers or headphones you possess are not audiophile grade and as such are likely incapable of reproducing sounds above 20Khz (the ultrasonic range): that is the most common upper frequency humans can hear and as such is the upper end of most reproduction equipment's frequency range.

Bingo. I couldn't hear anything over 16.whatever kHz on my speakers here at home, but my annual audiogram tests say that I most definitely can hear above that.

[Beorn]

What's the frequency of the "anti under-age-25 crimefighting device"?

Unfortunately it does not state it on the article, but a quick look around for models in the same range say the frequency is 17.5 - 18.5 kHz.

[Vulpix]

If that's any indication, I can hear ultrasonic marten repellers no problem at a distance :icon_ask:.

[Lenny]

If that's any indication, I can hear ultrasonic marten repellers no problem at a distance :icon_ask:.:confused: What's an Ultrasonic Marten Repeller??


...Please tell me it repels this guy
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5484/martinlawrence.jpg :eek:

[Vulpix]

:confused: What's an Ultrasonic Marten Repeller??


Something like this (http://www.kemo-electronic.com/en/module/m094/index.htm):

http://www.kemo-electronic.com/bilder/m094/m094_320x240.jpg

For the purpose of keeping these....

http://www.djsphotography.co.uk/images/Mammals/Pine-Marten-04.jpg

...from chewing up wires in your car ;).

[Angharad]

I heard an annoying beep beep sound during the clip from the article, and I am fairly old. My computer is right now putting out a sound around 17 kHz which is really annoying that my boyfriend doesn't hear--he thinks I'm nuts (maybe I'll ask my rug-rat nephew if he can hear it).

I couldn't hear anything at all on the test over 20 kHz though it was really faint from 17 kHz+.

[Rainraven]

That would so work on me!

Not that I'm a trouble maker :angel

I could just hear 18.8, what a darn horrible noise! But then I'm one of those people that can't stand irritating background noises. Be it dripping taps, ticking clocks or high pitched buzzes *shudders*

[HawkR]

I don't think this sound will be as scary or anoying enough to make everyone scatter, but what about the sound of the screaming guy next to you just getting shot in the leg, or the sound, if not the sight of a tanks coming in your direction?:p

Haven't got a comp here, just a docking station, will test when getting home though.

[Vargtand]

Haha I can only hear the 17.7KhZ and well I can almost make out the 18.8kHz but after that it is completely silent.

[Rainraven]

Haha I can only hear the 17.7KhZ and well I can almost make out the 18.8kHz but after that it is completely silent.

You must be OLD :p

[Spaniard_Truth]

I can only hear up to 14.1 khz. I can hear up to 15.8 VERY faintly, but it doesn't annoy me. 14.1 is the highest I can hear properly. This is probably because I've had earphones plugged in since I was about 9.

Edit: Actually, I moved the position of my ear relative to my laptop, and I heard up to 15.8 quite clearly.

[Vargtand]

You must be OLD :p
Hey I have perfect hearing!

[Tabiti]

I think I can hear between 12 and 14 and 18 and 20 ranges. I listen to music on headphones since I was 14, so I don't think I have the perfect hearing anymore.
Low blood pressure often causes to hear a constant noise as well.

[Bloodeagle]

Please keep in mind while you're playing around with this:

a) digital compression on such sounds often means you're hearing audio artefacting rather than a pure tone, allowing you to "hear" a tone your ears can't perceive, which brings me to

b) it is probable that whatever speakers or headphones you possess are not audiophile grade and as such are likely incapable of reproducing sounds above 20Khz (the ultrasonic range): that is the most common upper frequency humans can hear and as such is the upper end of most reproduction equipment's frequency range.

If, on the other hand, you have some higher grade equipment and a tone generator (or lossless recording) you would be able to test this definitively.

Is it possible that since most people cannot perceive sounds above 20khz, they might actually hear them subconsciously?:cool:

[anonymaus]

Is it possible that since most people cannot perceive sounds above 20khz, they might actually hear them subconsciously?:cool:

Certainly. This is actually a pretty common principle in testing for these things as people who are told to listen for something do listen for it: the human mind is only too happy to oblige this search and as one's brain will change the focus of hearing around until it catches something. I think in uncontrolled situations this is likely coil whine from nearby electronics, or the wretched sound of an AC adapter which I unfortunately can hear from many rooms away.

The blind tests (obviously with appropriate equipment for the ultrasonic frequencies) solve that problem for the most part.