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LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System
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The frequency 173.075 MHz is used for stolen vehicle recovery systems (SVRS), namely LoJack.
According to the FCC (DA 11-1551):
In 1989, the Commission designated frequency 173.075 MHz for use by SVRS licensees on a shared basis with the Federal Government. LoJack has developed and operates a stolen vehicle recovery network in cooperation with state and local police departments across the nation. The Commission authorizes SVRS operations on frequency 173.075 MHz on a shared, non-exclusive basis.
Under the traditional stolen vehicle recovery procedure, LoJack’s network operates as follows: LoJack and the licensed law enforcement agency install in each LoJack-registered vehicle a vehicle location unit (VLU) that remains dormant until the owner reports a vehicle theft. Once police receive a stolen vehicle report, the officials send an electronic message to a central law enforcement computer, which causes a network of radio base stations to broadcast an activation message on frequency 173.075 MHz that instructs the particular VLU to begin transmitting a brief “tracking” message, also on frequency 173.075 MHz. Vehicle tracking units located in law enforcement vehicles receive the VLU tracking message, which contains a unique reply code.12 Police identify the vehicle make, model, and registration from the reply code and then track the stolen vehicle by homing in on the VLU, which continues to send tracking messages, using vehicle tracking units.13 In 2008, the Commission extended the uplink mobile duty cycle to permit enhanced tracking capability.14 Specifically, the longer uplink duty cycle allows newer VLUs with global positioning system (GPS) technology to transmit GPS coordinates in the tracking message, which provides police the exact latitude and longitude coordinates of the stolen vehicle.
In 2008, the Commission also expanded the scope of the SVRS rules, which previously had allowed only for the tracking of stolen vehicles, to also allow for the tracking of missing persons and individuals at risk, as well as lost or stolen cargo and hazardous materials. As we describe in more detail below, the purpose of the instant Waiver Request is to further facilitate SVRS operations, particularly regarding the tracking of missing persons and individuals at risk, through new technology and an expanded pool of eligible SVRS users. LoJack states that it “is developing a system to track persons at risk, such as Alzheimer’s patients, nursing home residents with dementia, and children with disabilities, using in part the 173.075 MHz frequency.” According to LoJack, “persons at risk would wear wristwatch-like devices” that have a function similar to VLUs. When authorized parties or entities activate these wearable devices, the wearers of the devices “could be tracked by the same tracker device currently installed in police vehicles that is now used to track stolen vehicles.”
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Frequencies |
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Use | Service | Table |
| 173.075 MHz | 20 kHz | LoJack | - | N |
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