ChevronTexaco has determined that radar detectors are interfering
with the satellite system it uses to transmit credit card
information from filling stations to back-end corporate
systems.
ChevronTexaco, which operates a nationwide network of 6,600 very
small aperture satellite terminals (VSAT) at its filling stations,
documented the problem last month in a filing to the US Federal
Communications Commission.
The interference from radar detectors "frequently causes a
disruption in the data flow, which can result in lost or incorrect
sales and/or verification information," David Heck, manager of
marketing, legislative and regulatory affairs at ChevronTexaco,
wrote in the filing.
Heck added that ChevronTexaco is also concerned that "thieves could
use these devices to steal fuel by simply activating a radar
detector while fuelling" to knock out a credit card
transaction.
David Zatloukal, vice-president of Direcway VSAT service at Hughes
Network Systems (HNS), said the interference from the 25 million
radar detectors in the US has rendered "unusable" the lower
portions of the 11-GHz spectrum used by the satellites that
transmit VSAT data.
Even though they are receivers, radar detectors contain oscillators
that can knock out VSAT transmissions to the extent that "we don't
know if we can provide satisfactory service", Zatloukal said.
HNS, which supplies VSAT services to ChevronTexaco, has tried to
buy satellite service in a higher portion of the 11-GHz band but
has had difficulty acquiring that limited capacity.
Consequently, ChevronTexaco, HNS and satellite companies such as
PanAmSat, have endorsed an FCC plan to restrict radar detector
emissions.
Greg Blair, president of Escort, a radar detector manufacturer in
Ohio, said his industry could not afford regulation of a $39
(£26.85) product and was willing to move to lower frequencies in
the 11-GHz band.
HNS, in a filing with the FCC, said this would merely result in
interference with other satellite bands.