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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwrba!cepu!ucla-cs!wales
From: wales@ucla-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Call-sign plates and theft?
Message-ID: <4102@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 27-Feb-85 19:04:54 EST
Article-I.D.: ucla-cs.4102
Posted: Wed Feb 27 19:04:54 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Mar-85 05:08:37 EST
Reply-To: wales@ucla-cs.UUCP (Rich Wales)
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Lines: 34

I am considering getting "call sign" license plates for my car, but I
am concerned that doing so might more overtly advertise the fact that I
am carrying expensive "goodies" in my vehicle -- thus making me a more
likely target for theft.

Is this a valid concern?

Since the rig (a Kenwood TR-7950) is mounted in plain view under the
dash, and since I keep the roof-mounted vertical antenna in place all
the time, I suppose someone so inclined could already determine that I
had ham gear in the car -- even without distinctive license plates.

Admittedly, however, having plates screaming "WA6SGA" for all the world
to see could attract unwanted attention from someone who might otherwise
overlook my rig.

In any case, I have a good car alarm (with stickers on the windows call-
ing attention thereto), and I also have the ARRL equipment insurance
policy (so inexpensive there's practically no excuse not to have it!).

So far, I've been lucky.
-- 

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                                                             Rich Wales
                           University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
                                            Computer Science Department
                                                      3531 Boelter Hall
                                   Los Angeles, California 90024 // USA
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Phone:    (213) 825-5683 // +1 213 825 5683
ARPANET:  wales@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA
UUCP:     ...!{cepu,ihnp4,trwspp,ucbvax}!ucla-cs!wales
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