Introduction to Bluetooth Dropouts
Getting kicked off of Bluetooth while tooling along the 405 isn’t unusual. A reader recently told Honk about Bluetooth dropouts along the 405 Freeway near Beach Boulevard. Exactly the same thing happens to Frank Parth, a resident of Mission Viejo, when he drives in that area. He listens to Apple Carplay for music, and there’s always a dropout as he passes Beach. Every time. It reconnects quickly, but the reader is not alone.
The Problem Explained
Villa Park’s James Nissenberg brought the problem to the attention of Honk, and two weeks ago the self-proclaimed roads scholar explained that the Orange County Transportation Authority said the company that maintains the high-resolution cameras and license-plate readers for the 23-month-old 405 Express Lanes explained that they shouldn’t be causing the problem. Honk asked readers if they had suffered similar troubles, and a dozen answered back — yes. Some readers have had the problem elsewhere on the highway system.
Investigation into the Cause
Honk has made more calls on this than Maxwell Smart collectively did on his shoe phone, albeit with a standard cellphone, to cities, state and federal agencies and Southern California Edison. So far, none has provided an answer to the problem’s cause. Dan Kalmick, a former Huntington Beach councilman who holds an expertise in electrical and computer engineering, suspects the frequencies used by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are getting interrupted by wireless internet service providers. “I’ve been researching this issue for a while now and even filed an informal complaint with the FCC,” he said.
Government Shutdown and FCC
Honk tried to reach the Federal Communications Commission, which Kalmick thought could be helpful — but the government shutdown has put a long pause to that. “The operations of the Federal Communications Commission will be limited,” the agency told Honk in an email. “Messages will not be checked and routine press inquiries will not be responded to during this time.” Stay tuned, Honkland.
Cataract Surgery and Driver’s License
Regarding last week’s column about getting cataract surgery but still having “need corrective lenses” on your driver’s license – well, Michele Cruz, a resident of Cypress, had it done last year on both eyes and her doctor’s office gave her a small card for each eye saying that she had it done. The cards should be carried in your wallet, and then in case you were pulled over and an officer questioned your license, you just show these cards saying you had it done. Great advice, Michele. Someone doing this could still get cited if the license isn’t up to speed, of course. They certainly seem like a solid bridge until the driver can get into a Department of Motor Vehicles office to update the driver’s license.
Expert Opinion
Ken Godbold, both a Prescott, Arizona, and Honkland resident, had that surgery and carried the cards until license renewal. He was with the Phoenix Police Department for 25 years, and worked a decade in the traffic bureau. “I did not run into this when I was still on the job, but I would have accepted it,” he said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bluetooth dropouts along the 405 Freeway near Beach Boulevard are a common problem faced by many drivers. The cause of the problem is still unknown, and Honk is still investigating the issue. In the meantime, drivers who have undergone cataract surgery can carry a small card from their doctor’s office to show to officers in case they are pulled over and questioned about their license.
FAQs
Q: What is the problem with Bluetooth along the 405 Freeway?
A: The problem is that many drivers experience Bluetooth dropouts while driving along the 405 Freeway near Beach Boulevard.
Q: What is the cause of the problem?
A: The cause of the problem is still unknown, but it is suspected that the frequencies used by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are getting interrupted by wireless internet service providers.
Q: What can drivers do if they are pulled over and questioned about their license after cataract surgery?
A: Drivers can carry a small card from their doctor’s office showing that they have undergone cataract surgery, and show it to the officer in case they are pulled over and questioned about their license.
Q: How can I contact Honk with questions?
A: You can reach Honk at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk
