LO-JACK.TXT               AMATEUR RADIO LO-JACK         20 October 1966

   Most people are familiar with the Lo-Jack system for recovering stolen 
vehicles.  Amateur radio operators have been experimenting with a similar 
system called APRS which really isn't designed to recover stolen cars, but 
certainly could be used in that mode.
   
   Now, the San Diego California Responder newsletter reports recently, 
as Scotty Leikett, W8KXX, was going to bed, he looked out his window and 
noticed that his APRS-equipped car was missing.  One glance at his computer 
terminal showed that the vehicle was across town and moving!  He notified 
the San Diego Police Department, but the dispatcher would not believe that 
an owner had the ability to track his stolen car by radio.
   
   When the policeman arrived, Scotty explained the ARPS system and showed 
him the car's symbol with the unique amateur call on an APRS city map. 
The officer relayed the precise location to the police cruisers.  As it 
happened, the stolen car and a police cruiser were stopped at the same red 
light with the thieves were still in the car.   Surprised at the officers' 
sudden attention, the culprits made an illegal left turn and the chase was 
on.  Soon after the crooks abandoned the car and escaped, leaving a hand 
gun behind.
   
The car was recovered without major damage thanks to APRS and ham radio.

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Prepared from NEWSLINE RADIO scripts by the staff of the AMATEUR RADIO
NEWSLINE, INC., formerly the WESTLINK RADIO NETWORK. 
