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Car Glass Rules Could Impair Cell, GPS and Radio Signals In CA

Posted by timothy on from the micromicromicro-managing dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The California Air Resources Board (CARB) just passed a new regulation that requires glazed glass in automobiles that is supposed to reduce the need to use air conditioning. The catch is that the same properties that block electromagnetic sunlight radiation also block lower frequency electromagnetic radio waves. That means radios, satellite radios, GPS, garage door openers, and cell phones will be severely degraded. Even more surprising is that it requires this glass even for jeeps that have soft covers, plastic windows, and no air conditioning.'"

6 of 762 comments (clear)

  1. Did they specify WHERE the glass has to be? by Spectre · · Score: 5, Funny

    I know when they passed legislation requiring motorcycle helmets to be worn, they didn't specify "where", so people were strapping one to their knee or hanging it from an elbow.

    Perhaps you can do the same thing, and sell glazed drinking glasses, stick one in your cup-holder, you're golden?

    --
    "Flame away, I wear asbestos underwear"
  2. Hmm I wonder ... by OzPeter · · Score: 5, Funny
    I think that I smell a market for some bendy bit of wire that sits on the outside of the car and funnels the radio waves to the inside compartment . I might call it ...

    [places pinky finger to mouth]

    An .. Aerial !!!!

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    I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
  3. Re:! surprising by Penguinisto · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...my Jeep has air conditioning: the TD2-50 A/C system

    (using it is pretty easy, too: take off the top and both doors, then go 50mph).

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
  4. Re:You mean ... by jbeaupre · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not a problem. The glass will be scattered in you lap, permitting excellent reception again.

    --
    The world is made by those who show up for the job.
  5. Re:You mean ... by smooth+wombat · · Score: 5, Funny

    OR they'll roll down the window to make the call, heating up the car in the process, then run the AC on full blast to level it out afterwards.

    Then turn on the blender to make margaritas because they're still hot and now thirsty.

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
  6. Re:Ahh, that explains that ... by QuoteMstr · · Score: 4, Funny

    If cars were computers:

    • Big ball of mud: the radio is embedded into the car's unibody shell. You can't remove it without totaling the car. It works when it's not raining.
    • Functional: a standard six-foot antenna is bolted to the roof of every car. It may be over-sized and look ridiculous, but it gets the job done.
    • Object oriented: the radio receiver is in a trailer, which is welded shut. It connects to your stereo over a well-documented interface, but nobody knows how the receiver works. Everyone who has tried to find out has been electrocuted.
    • Generic programming : The car comes with two dozen different antennas, each optimized to receive a particular frequency. They're arranged in a barrel in the trunk, and changing the radio station changes which antenna sticks out of the car. The reception is great.
    • Aspect-oriented: the radio is controlled by an electrode attached to your brain that tries to detect when you want to change the station. It separates the concerns of frequency selections and desired music very nicely.