Radar Detectors Zap Credit Card Transactions at Pump

Computerworld - ChevronTexaco Corp. has determined that radar detectors are interfering with the satellite system it uses to transmit credit card information from gas stations to back-end corporate systems.

ChevronTexaco, which operates a nationwide network of 6,600 very small aperture satellite terminals (VSAT) at its gas stations, documented the problem last month in a filing to the 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 San Francisco-based ChevronTexaco, wrote in the filing.

Heck added that ChevronTexaco is also concerned that "thieves could use these devices to steal motor fuel by simply activating a radar detector while fueling" to knock out a credit card transaction.

David Zatloukal, vice president of Direcway VSAT service at Germantown, Md.-based Hughes Network Systems Inc. (HNS), said the interference from the 25 million radar detectors in the U.S. 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 Corp. in Wilton, Conn., have endorsed an FCC plan to restrict radar detector emissions. Greg Blair, president of Escort Inc., a radar detector manufacturer in West Chester, Ohio, said his industry can't afford regulation of a $39 product and is willing to move to lower frequencies in the 11-GHz band. HNS, in a filing with the FCC, said this would just result in interference with other satellite bands.

The FCC is expected to rule on the issue late this summer or early fall.

What's At Stake Radar detectors aren’t the only unlicensed devices covered by the FCC's sweeping Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). The FCC Part 15 NPRM calls for the opening of a wide range of frequencies for use by unlicensed systems, in bands currently occupied by other services. 11-GHz FREQUENCY BAND Would limit emissions from and regulate consumer radar detectors. Potential winners: VSAT suppliers such as Hughes Network Systems Inc. and retailers who rely on the systems to transmit credit card information. Potential losers: Consumer radar detector manufacturers, including Beltronics USA Inc., Cobra Electronics Corp., and The Whistler Group. 13.1-13.4-MHz FREQUENCY BAND Would allow a power boost that would increase range and enable higher data rates for RFID systems. Potential winners: RFID tag manufacturers such as Texas Instruments Inc. and users such as ExxonMobile, which is considering the band for its SpeedPass automatic payment technology. Potential losers: Could cause interference to safety-of-life systems used by the Federal Aviation Administration and airlines, which use frequencies in the 13.26-13.36MHz Aeronautical Mobile (Route) Services band for communications with aircraft flying trans-oceanic routes. Could also interfere with existing wireless payment systems used on toll roads, as well as the Washington, D.C., Metro rail system developed by Cubic. Corp. 420-450-MHz FREQUENCY BAND Would allow a power boost that would increase range and enable higher data rates for RFID systems. Potential losers: Amateur radio operators, whose systems are used as back-up emergency communications. Also could interfere with military radars and NASA telemetry systems. Potential winners: Savi Technology Inc, which has developed RFID tags in the band; and UPS and FedEx, which have endorsed the Savi technology.