 The southern United States are well known for their warm climates, and for visitors it can be a welcome break from the cold weather of winter. During summer months however that warmth morphs into horrendous heat waves, forcing residents to crank up the A/C at home and in their vehicles.
A new proposal from the State Air Resources Board is asking that vehicles in CA be fitted with a new type of windshield fim. It reflects the heat away, keeping the inside of the vehicle cooler, thus reducing the need to use air conditioning.
Not only will this film reflect heat, it could also deflect GPS satellite signals. The California Dept. of Corrections are vehemently opposed to this proposal, as they use GPS ankle bracelets to monitor parolees. Public safety could be compromised if these criminals cannot be monitored properly, due to interference from this new windshield coating.
For the average GPS user this new application can be circumvented by adding an external GPS antenna. Most portable vehicle navigators are equipped with an MCX external antenna jack. These antennas often have magnetic bases to be attached easily to the roof of the vehicle, by threading the length of cable out the window. These antennas can be found at GPS City, and cost between $15-$80 depending on cable length and strength.
A final decision on the new windshield coating won't be made until May 2010. During that time the Air Resource Board will continue conducting tests to confirm whether there are any concerns for GPS signal interference. |
