LoJack Question

[gariac]

I was bored and looking for some federal signals and I rediscovered Lojack. I could have sworn it was shut down years ago.

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My rtlsdr put it at 173.07525. I'm in the SF Bay area but the signal is very weak. Certainly not local.

I fed it to dsd-neo and it sometimes thinks it is a P25 phase 2 signal. I just got an attempted demod audio.

I looked at github and don't see any relevant software.

 

[ScannerSK]

I believe the only software availabe is SDRTrunk on github: <https://github.com/dsheirer/sdrtrunk>.

 

[wtp]

173.075 LoJac

 

[gariac]

173.075 LoJac

Yes. I ran the software on the proper frequency. I was just pointing out that the sdrpp was off a bit. Unless sdtrunk performs some magic, I rather not install it. I have a number of functioning sdr trackers installed.

 

[BabaYaga60]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought LoJac was discontinued a couple years ago ?

 

[ScannerSK]

LoJack on 173.075 is still alive and well in many states however this older VHF system is being completely phased out in favor of GPS/cellular based LoJack units. It's just a matter of time now until the LoJack network on 173.075 is completely shut down nationwide. This shutdown will likely take place once they figure the batteries in the older LoJack units are no longer viable.

SDRTrunk decodes the tower data and stolen vehicle pulses.

 

[ecps92]

LoJack on 173.075 is still alive and well in many states however this older VHF system is being completely phased out in favor of GPS/cellular based LoJack units. It's just a matter of time now until the LoJack network on 173.075 is completely shut down nationwide. This shutdown will likely take place once they figure the batteries in the older LoJack units are no longer viable.

SDRTrunk decodes the tower data and stolen vehicle pulses.

See post #120
LE no longer has access to Query of the LoJack Codes, as NLETS discontinued support of that message key.

So effectively Lo/Jack VHF, outside of odd signals it is DOA

 

[ScannerSK]

See post #120
LE no longer has access to Query of the LoJack Codes, as NLETS discontinued support of that message key.

So effectively Lo/Jack VHF, outside of odd signals it is DOA

It's possible the ability to query LoJack reply codes has been locked out from specific agencies/states which no longer require this functionality in NLETS while the option remains available for those states which still require this function.

If true, that no states can query LoJack reply codes any further, then I assume law enforcment must now have to contact LoJack directly to obtain reply code details. The system is definitely not DOA in Colorado. We have two repeaters running full power 24/7 broadcasting LoJack activations and deactivations. The system is anything but dead here in Colorado.

 

[ecps92]

It's possible the ability to query LoJack reply codes has been locked out from specific agencies/states which no longer require this functionality in NLETS while the option remains available for those states which still require this function.

If true, that no states can query LoJack reply codes any further, then I assume law enforcment must now have to contact LoJack directly to obtain reply code details. The system is definitely not DOA in Colorado. We have two repeaters running full power 24/7 broadcasting LoJack activations and deactivations. The system is anything but dead here in Colorado.

Yes the towers still appear actively sending signals in certain areas, however ANY availability for the system to be Queried (only was available thru NLETS, or long retired/deceased Lo/Jack engineers) by Law Enforcement is/was disabled. Additionally the system (Legacy) required access to NCIC to validate a true reported theft and NLETS disconnected that as well.

Effective March 26, 2026, the legacy LoJack RF system was discontinued | LoJack

Nearly four decades, LoJack has been proud to partner with law enforcement agencies to support stolen vehicle recovery efforts and enhance officer safety. As part of our continued commitment to innovation and operational effectiveness, we are transitioning from our legacy radio frequency (RF)...

www.lojack.com

 

[gariac]

lojack in Bay Area

If these were actually working, I would hear them. What I do detect is in the mud.

 

[ScannerSK]

Yes the towers still appear actively sending signals in certain areas, however ANY availability for the system to be Queried (only was available thru NLETS, or long retired/deceased Lo/Jack engineers) by Law Enforcement is/was disabled. Additionally the system (Legacy) required access to NCIC to validate a true reported theft and NLETS disconnected that as well.

Effective March 26, 2026, the legacy LoJack RF system was discontinued | LoJack

Nearly four decades, LoJack has been proud to partner with law enforcement agencies to support stolen vehicle recovery efforts and enhance officer safety. As part of our continued commitment to innovation and operational effectiveness, we are transitioning from our legacy radio frequency (RF)...

www.lojack.com

Very interesting... I had not seen that announcement. I wonder why LoJack would still have several towers up and running 24/7 in Colorado? Any ideas? I'm not sure what the electricty would cost to keep these towers up and running needlessly however it must cost something.

 

[ecps92]

Very interesting... I had not seen that announcement. I wonder why LoJack would still have several towers up and running 24/7 in Colorado? Any ideas? I'm not sure what the electricty would cost to keep these towers up and running needlessly however it must cost something.

it takes awhile for folks to visit the sites and/or many may need to coordinate with the local LE for access.

Per the FCC all the licenses come back to Municipal or State agencies, some even still pending changes.
NYSP looks to be applying for it outside of Lo/Jack use, wonder what DOJ / NTIA might say for take-back

Most of the Massachusetts sites were run by the State Police, from day-one as Lo/Jack was founded here

 

[ScannerSK]

Buckely Air National Guard Base in Aurora, Colorado has used the LoJack frequency several times in the past. They activate the system only at specific times, possibly when looking for something stolen, as it is typically off the air. This system also utilzes 1200 baud CPFSK however it follows a different data format than the LoJack system.

I imagine GPS is better for tracking stolen vehicles than the old VHF system which allowed stolen vehicles to slip away from police for long periods of time. I recall once chasing down the same LoJack four or five times in different locations over the course of a number of days in the suburbs of Denver. I would use a sensitive 2-way radio to detect distant LoJack signals which vastly improved my ability to detect and locate LoJack signals over any of the receivers installed in police vehicles.

 

[ecps92]

Buckely Air National Guard Base in Aurora, Colorado has used the LoJack frequency several times in the past. They activate the system only at specific times, possibly when looking for something stolen, as it is typically off the air. This system also utilzes 1200 baud CPFSK however it follows a different data format than the LoJack system.

I imagine GPS is better for tracking stolen vehicles than the old VHF system which allowed stolen vehicles to slip away from police for long periods of time. I recall once chasing down the same LoJack four or five times in different locations over the course of a number of days in the suburbs of Denver. I would use a sensitive 2-way radio to detect distant LoJack signals which vastly improved my ability to detect and locate LoJack signals over any of the receivers installed in police vehicles.

The way the system worked, was NO Agency actually used the frequency except the corporation called Lo/Jack
the NTIA and FCC required the transmitters to be licensed to a Governmental Agency tho, based on user agreements.

The system only worked, upon an actual NCIC Entry, generally based on a signed theft report
Once any entry was made (Lojack or Non Lojack), NCIC would send a message to NLETS, basically saying "HEY is this one of yours?"
if the NLETS - Lo/Jack response was affirmative then it would hand-shake and say, well it is stolen from here (NCIC ORI)

Based on Lo./Jack algoritims then it would send out to that states towers the activation code and neighboring states.

As for the Air Base activating, they must have meant turn on your receiver (Old School), as LoJack learned in newer models, to remove the on/off switches

 

[MotoMOTRAC]

Observation: Today, north of the Metroplex, hearing just two (2) different signal strength VHF (high band) transmissions on their own 64 second schedules, using an outside 2m gain antenna on the receiver.

Several years back, memory serves that I heard a number of stations during casual listening, and all of quite varying signal strengths ...