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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.'"

3 of 762 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Who owns the patents? by Rei · · Score: 5, Informative

    Low-E glass was introduced in 1979. I.e., any patents that may have been around for it at the time no longer exist.

    There probably are "newer, better" types of Low-E glass that are still patented, but Low-E glass in general is not.

    --
    Mr. Wizard... why is this place called the Cave of Hopelessness?
  2. Re:You mean ... by KillerBob · · Score: 5, Informative

    GPS, AM, FM are on different frequencies. You must live a sheltered life and not have had the opportunity to see many antennas and compare them.

    Actually, I worked in military communications, and have *built* AM/FM transmitters and antennas, as well as cellular networks. I can tell you from experience that while they work on different frequencies, it's entirely possible to connect an appropriate antenna to a wiring harness to bring the signal inside what's effectively a Faraday cage.

    Many many passengers talk on cell phones to get directions. Some even answer the driver's cell phone. You must live a sheltered exist with few friends who would do that for you.

    I turn my cell phone off when I'm driving, actually. Probably has something to do with that military background, and that desire to have all of my focus on driving when I get behind the wheel. *shrugs*

    There is a general trend away from purpose built GPS navigators and toward GPS applications on smart phones. You must live a sheltered life with little contact with the technical world.

    See above. And you must have lived a very sheltered life to have not come in contact with cars that have in-dash navigation systems....

    --
    If you believe everything you read, you'd better not read. - Japanese proverb
  3. Did any go to the CARB wbesite... by pdtp · · Score: 5, Informative

    and see the nice little FAQ they have. http://www.arb.ca.gov/html/coolcarsfaq.pdf Will my GPS still work? Yes. Many automobile manufacturers currently equip their vehicles with external antennas to ensure proper functioning of factory installed GPS devices. For aftermarket GPS devices, deletion windows, or areas without reflective coatings, will be created in the windshield and the location of these windows noted in the owner’s manual. ARB tests showed that placing the GPS device or the external antenna within the deletion window allows the device to operate as effectively as in a car with no reflective glass.