Uniden BC-760 scanner is occasionally used
to monitor other agencies in the 800 MHz
band. Finally, a CB radio is available to
communicate with truckers from this “bear
in the air.”
A LoJack receiver helps locate stolen
cars as far as 40 to 50 miles away, depending
upon altitude and terrain. Like an ADF
receiver, it continually points to the signal
source and produces a tone that gets louder
as the signal gets stronger. Generally, crews
can narrow a LoJack search to within a city
block, where ground units are dispatched to
locate the car. However, two of the CHP air-
craft are equipped with L3 Corporation’s
MX- 15 camera system. From these airplanes,
the flight officer can locate a stolen car by
examining individual license plates!
The gyro-stabilized unit contains separate visual and infrared (IR) cameras
mounted in a single unit that can rotate 360
degrees. It weighs 100 pounds and is
mounted on the left side of the aircraft,
about three feet aft of the front door.
Another 100 pounds of equipment inside the
airplane controls the camera. A video deck
captures the action, often as evidence for
court cases.
ABOVE: The radio stack contains a KLN 94 GPS, a pair
of KX 155 nav/comm radios, a KAP 140 autopilot, a
Technisonics TFM- 30 for communicating with other CHP
units, and an audio panel with nearly two dozen knobs
and switches. A CB radio to the left of the throttle and a
LoJack receiver, barely visible in the lower right, are just
part of this amazing panel.
INSET, LEFT: The gyro-stabilized MX- 15 contains separate
visual and infrared cameras that let CHP crews zero in on
and track suspects. The rugged Cessna T206H is an ideal
platform for carrying this extra 200 pounds of camera
and equipment.
