Page last updated on: Monday, September 22, 2014 Share on hootsuite Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on email More Sharing Services 1

Radar-gunlike device to detect texting ? A Virginia company ComSonics claims to be developing a Radar-gunlike device that can tell if a driver is texting. Alexander Watters KV4PW explains why this may be bad for radio hams Texting while driving has been banned in a number of US states including Virginia and ComSonics are seeking to develop a Radar-gunlike device to detect when a driver is texting. A story about the detection device appeared in the Virginian-Pilot in which Malcolm McIntyre, Mobile Calibration Manager at Comsonics is reported as saying a text message, phone call and data transfer emit different frequencies that can be distinguished by the device. [Strange as they use the same frequencies]. Alexander Watters KV4PW took advantage of the story to get an article published which suggesting problems this device could cause amateur radio operators and other volunteers who use texting technology for APRS. He also got in a plug for the role of radio hams in natural disasters and in developing many of the technologies we take for granted today. Read his story at http://spacecoastdaily.com/2014/09/ ham-radio-operator-objects-to-anti-texting-radar/ Read the Virginian-Pilot story http://hamptonroads.com/2014/09/ new-device-works-catch-texting-drivers