IANAL but one might argue that "copper wire" isn't a telecommunication system either.

But, like free space (or air as you put it) it might form part of one.

The act doesn't specify how the network is established - only that intercepting communications on it would be in contravention of Section 7 of that Act.

IANAL but the mobile system is connected to the landline system (series of systems) which together make up the telecommunications network. I would conclude therefore that the mobile telephone network is not excluded by this provision. An example of an excluded system might be a taxi radio control system or air traffic control.

In Australia, the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 explicitly prohibits this activity.
Section 7 - Telecommunications not to be intercepted

A person shall not:

• (a) intercept;
• (b) authorize, suffer or permit another person to intercept; or
• (c) do any act or thing that will enable him or her or another person to intercept;

a communication passing over a telecommunications system.

This seems like a pretty clear violation to me. (note, that even though it is data traffic between the phone and the cell and not voice, it still violates the above.)

The whole thing seems a bit one sided. Given that Gizmodo knowingly paid for stolen goods, where is their equivalent fine, community service and probation?

"But is it worth chasing lesser quantities that would result in zero or minimal damage?" If 10X of a bad substance is your damage threshold and 2X is your detection threshold then all Terry Terrorist has to do is smuggle X ten times.... stashing it somewhere after security. On the 10th time he picks up 10X after passing security and boards a plane. Boom.

If you can hold it in your left hand without a complete loss of signal... you'll have a better phone than a real iPhone!

For 220V :

1. 1) A CC128 device
2. 2) A small python program which logs to an RRD database.
3. 3) A cron script to update the graphs.

I also installed this at work on 3-phase.

Cost:

• @HOME: Free - I got the sensor + computer interface from the electricity company.
• @WORK: About GBP 60 - for the sensor + extra clamps for 3-phase.