[Shop-talk] Remote electric meter reading?

[Wayne]

Hey Guys,
I've been looking into ways to monitor electrical consumption of some 
large items around the shop and house.  Found a few places selling add 
in meters like the "ted" I've seen discussed here.

Then it occurred to me... the power company's meter on the side of the 
building it remote readable.  Is there any way I can get remote readings 
from it myself?  My power company seems to have guys in vehicles that 
cruise the neighborhoods and read from up to a couple hundred feet away. 
  Sounds like it's RF based?  But googling hasn't turned up much info on 
it.  Any ideas?

-Wayne