Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501190066
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: A car alarm has the following goals: deter, prevent, detect and alert. Unfortunately, alarms are often a nuisance and rarely succeed as a deterrent. In fact, robbery incidents are on the rise in most areas of the country, despite record sales of car alarms.
It's common knowledge that an experienced thief can defeat most alarm systems in a matter of minutes. Even if the alarm sounds, it may be hours before you realize your car is missing. The thief is counting on this.
Paging and other wireless technologies have recently led to some of the most important innovations in automotive security history. Accepting the fact that alarm systems can't prevent car theft, manufacturers are exploring ways to expedite vehicle recovery. The sooner a stolen vehicle is found, the more likely it will still be in one piece.
One way to achieve this is with a local paging system (no telephone is involved). When a thief triggers the security system, an on-board transmitter signals a small pager carried by the owner. The signal extends up to two miles. Depending on the circumstances, the owner may be able to avert the robbery or at least alert police before the thief goes very far.
Another innovation allows a robbery or carjacking victim to disable the stolen car by dialing a toll-free number. A satellite-based paging system activates an alarm, setting in motion a series of defensive measures. First the lights start flashing and then the horn begins to blare. As soon as the vehicle stops, the engine shuts down. By now, the thief probably wishes he'd picked another car.
An unfortunate consequence of better vehicle security has been an increase in carjackings. In fact, anti-carjacking protection is the fastest growing segment of auto security. Several variations on vehicle disablers have been introduced. Instead of relying on the victim to dial a pager, some systems trigger automatically if a door opens while the engine is running. After an appropriate delay, the car is disabled.
The latest twist in high-tech auto security relies on a wireless technology to track stolen vehicles. Using an onboard homing signal, police are often able to recover stolen vehicles before they're damaged or stripped for parts. So far, three variations have emerged. One system is available in six major metro areas while another operates in more than a dozen locations.
A third approach relies on Loran C radio beacons to provide nationwide coverage. If the car is stolen, the system automatically alerts a national monitoring center using a built-in cellular phone. Police are quickly provided with the car's description, location and heading. One tracking system can even summon roadside assistance at the touch of a button.
Even more sophisticated anti-theft and vehicle recovery systems will soon enter the market. At least one company plans to introduce a satellite-based tracking system for stolen vehicles. Several other companies are developing two-way paging networks designed to support a range of advanced vehicle security features.
To receive a list of companies that manufacture anti-carjacking and vehicle recovery systems, please send $1.50 and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-444, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products. You'll also receive information on add-on pagers for conventional alarm systems.
Q: What does "timer-compatible" or "timer-ready" refer to when describing a cassette recorder?
A: Cassette decks with mechanical switches can easily be set for unattended operation (to record a favorite radio program, for example). All you need is a basic lamp timer. Unfortunately, this won't work if the cassette deck has electronic switches. A timer-ready cassette deck is designed so that the power and record switches will maintain their previous settings when the timer restores power.
Note: Last week's ``At Home With Technology Column'' about the Consumer Electronics Bus should have noted that in the Roanoke area CEBus prewiring services also are being offered by Audiotronics.
by CNB