Date:  6 Mar 86 13:20:28 EST
From: Paul.Birkel@A.CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Re: Auto Anti-Theft Alarms
To: Jim Skees
ReSent-To: Harry.Bovik@A.CS.CMU.EDU
ReSent-From: Jim.Skees@A.CS.CMU.EDU
ReSent-Date: Thu,  6 Mar 86 13:44 EST

If you're "merely" interested in preventing the vehicle from being
driven away, i.e. they're going to get in no matter what you do,
everyone is already used to hearing your alarm going off for no
apparent reason and now ignores it (after all, are YOU going to
confront a burgler for someone elses car?), and if they really
want it they'll just tow it away, . . .

then I recommend a simple self-installed hidden ignition switch.
Most of today's thieves are too stupid to hot wire a car, but they
can swing a crowbar in order to smash the steering column to get at
the back of the ignition switch. 60 Minutes will even teach you how!
Sigh.

I've saved one vehicle by such a manouever. Sure the steering column
and door lock needed repair (about $100 parts, self-labor) and the
battery was dead, but the vehicle was still there in the AM and
only needed a jump to get moved.

For $10 of stuff (wire, switch) down at Radio Shack and a few hours
of your time (plus a vehicle service manual in order to check the
ignition wiring schematic) you're in business. And those other
unmentionables aren't. Adding a few window decals helps too. Why
pick on a car that MIGHT have an alarm when the one next door is
so inviting?

All you do is disable the primary circuit on the ignition coil. Simple
and effective. Get a VERY small switch and put it somewhere relatively
convenient but NON-obvious. Get out your soldering iron . . . .

As for conventional alarms, get something cheap at J.C.Whitney (Chicago
mail-order place for vehicle stuff). Let's face it, they'll get it if
they want it. BTW, make sure your vehicle has a locking hood compartment,
i.e. many pick-ups don't. And DON'T install expensive electronic
equipment or leave potentially tempting items on the seats. Cover
them with an old blanket to make them less interesting. Best of all,
don't get an expensive, new, racy, slick, attractive car. Get something
a little dowdy. At least it'll still be there in the morning.

What's the world coming too, anyway . . .