wales@ucla-cs.UUCP (04/05/85)
I got five replies to my question about whether having call-sign license
plates on your car makes you a more conspicuous target for thieves.
Thanks to everyone who replied.
The unanimous consensus of those who replied to me (admittedly, only
five people) was that call-sign plates do NOT seem to increase your
likelihood of being victimized.
One person suggested that call-sign plates might actually help protect
you -- because most thieves are out for CB radios and the like, rather
than the far less widely marketable ham gear, and anyone who recognized
ham plates for what they were would not want to waste his time stealing
stuff he wouldn't be able to unload. (This theory is admittedly contro-
versial, and assumes a certain level of intelligence that may or may not
exist among auto thieves in general.)
In any case, as I mentioned in my previous article, I have a good alarm
system on my car, and the equipment is covered by the ARRL insurance.
So, I guess I'll go ahead and order plates with my call on them. If
there is anyone out there who feels this is a cavalierly stupid thing to
do -- but who hasn't said anything yet -- my mailbox is always open.
--
Rich Wales // UCLA Computer Science Department // +1 213-825-5683
3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, California 90024 // USA
wales@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA {ihnp4,ucbvax}!ucla-cs!wales