In Iraq and Afghanistan, apparently about 40% of deaths have been attributed to IED's. While only a fraction of those may be detonated remotely (such as the ones that hit vehicle patrols), why haven't they found a good way of disabling those or detonating them before they get within range. I assume that a bomb that is remotely detonated works by sending a radio signal to the device. Why can't a device be attached to each vehicle which sends out a signal on all frequencies say once every 10 seconds to try and trigger the devices? I don't know much about radio frequencies or how something is triggered, but do they each have unique codes to prevent someone else triggering the device? If that is the case, why don't they place jammers on the vehicles to prevent the signal from reaching the device in the first place?

I maybe missing something here, so if soneone could tell me that would be great.

Dude,
They do do that but you got to find the right FREQ. There is no way of telling what FREQ it is on, and there in no way to run all the FREQ’S at the same time. You just got to take a stab at the wind and hope you get it right.

Surely they have jamming systems which could simply jam all the frequencies, therefore not allowing the trigger signal to fire it off? The only trouble is the Terrorist would still have the IED though to use again.

They Test them in areas in the Artic, Deserts, and Oceans

Systems are in use that counter a large proportion of these devices, but range, position in the patrol and several other factors come into play. I'm not going to go into detail as these systems are still restricted for obvious operational reasons.

Think about it. If all frequencies were blocked, it might be a bit difficult for the patrol commander to call for help if a contact happened as his comms kit would also be jammed. We can only study the devices we find and configure the counter measures to the most commonly used frequencies.

Many of the devices are triggered by command wire, pressure fuse, IR beam, timer, telephone/beeper etc. Systems that work on radio frequencies would have no effect on these more traditional initiation devices.

Just like to point out the obvious....unless you are a suicide bomber, all bombs are remotely detonated and not just by radio signals.

Many cell phone bombs are defeated by a jamming signal that is just one cellphone number sent as rapid pulses at low power short range signal.

Pulsing say the number 2 at low power from a Humvee as it drives will block the right number from getting to the bomb cellphone till the humvee is well out of range.