Introduction
This is a self-instructional training guide designed to familiarize you with the basics of the electronic division of the truck stop business. As a salesperson, you will receive many questions concerning Radar Detectors. This guide contains some general information and common questions asked about these devices.
After reading this guide, you should be better qualified to offer information to your customers and to help them select the item that best suits their needs. We encourage you to use this guide as a tool and refer to it often.
What is Radar?
Radar – (Radio detecting and ranging) Based on the Doppler Theory, radar emits a beam at a set frequency. When the beam is reflected off a moving object, the frequency changes and this is then calculated into a speed reading. Simply put, a radar detector is a receiver tuned to respond to the radar waves used in a police car.
The communication Act of 1934 states that “No radio receivers can be licensed restricted or banned”. Radar detectors are simply radio receivers, completely legal in every state except Connecticut, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The local laws governing radar detectors in these three areas are in direct opposition to the Communications Act and Supreme Court ruling, which upheld the right to use a radar detector.
How Accurate is Radar
Radar is not perfect. In fact, radar readings are subject to hundreds of variables that can greatly affect its accuracy. Just to name a few: humidity and extreme hot or cold weather, airport or marine radar, metal buildings, radio interference, wind and even a squad car’s own air conditioning will often give false readings.
These conditions affect the path that radio waves travel which in turn distorts the accuracy. When the radar beam is transmitted, any interference that occurs can cause inaccurate calculated speed readings. Many experts estimate that up to 25% of radar speeding tickets are issued in error.
Do Radar Detectors Cause Accidents?
Quite the contrary, a recent study shows radar detector users have fewer accidents per mile driven than non-users. According to an analysis by Yanke Lovich Clancy Shulman Inc. of Westport CT, detector owners have fewer accidents per mile driven and are significantly more likely to wear seatbelts compared to non-users.
Two key findings were uncovered in the study;
• Radar detector users have over 25% fewer accidents per mile driven compared to non-users.
• 81% of radar users say they use seat belts all or most of the time when driving long distances (10 miles or more). This compared with 69% for non-users.
Note: This study clearly shows that people who use radar detectors do not affect auto accident rates.
What Types of Traffic Radar are used?
There are basically four types of traffic radar being used today:
• Stationary Radar – Virtually all radar can be used in the stationary mode. This simply means that the radar unit operates from fixed position. Stationary radar can either be mounted to a vehicle or hand held.
• Moving Radar – This is a more complex system designed to allow the operator to check traffic speed from a moving patrol car. The principles are the same as for the stationary radar.
• Stalker Radar – The stalker is a hand held radar gun operating on a Ka band. Stalker guns are designed to work in a different frequency range than older radar guns. The Stalker gun operates between 34200-35200 Mhz. The Stalker does not use a photo system.
• Instant-On Radar – This is a method of operation rather than a type of radar. Most traffic radar can be operated in the instant mode. It can be used either stationary or moving. The only difference in this system is that the radar does not transmit until the operator pushes a button.
Why the Need for a Radar Detector?
A radar detector is one of the most effective means of protecting yourself from unwanted traffic tickets. By having advanced warning of speed traps ahead, a driver will be more careful when entering a monitored stretch of roadway.
A radar detector owner has something that all other motorists are missing, peace of mind. Knowing that they are protected from radar, a driver can concentrate on what is really important, driving, not worrying that around every corner could be an officer speed trap just waiting for the next motorist not paying attention to his/her speedometer.
The number of tickets issued last year exceeded 15 million. More speeding citations were issued in the last five years than in the previous ten years. Many of the states that raised the speed limit to 65 will be enforcing limits more strictly than before by giving tickets to motorists clocked at 67 or 68 mph. Many people think that a speeding ticket will cost them about $50.00, when, in fact, the real cost if far greater. In 1985, an insurance commission concludes that on traffic ticket increases auto insurance by an average of $300.00!
What to Look for in a Radar Detector?
Sensitivity – This is one of the most important aspects of a radar detector. How sensitive is it? Sensitivity is measured in the unit of dBm/cm2. A detector rated at 112 dBm/cm2 is more sensitive than one rated at 108 dBm/cm2. Each band, X and K, have different sensitivity ratings. A higher sensitivity rating gives a radar detector the ability to pick up even the slightest radar signal. The more sensitive it is, the more time a driver has to react to a speed trap. Sometimes sensitivity comes with the sacrifice to false alarms. If a radar detector is tuned to be super sensitive, it will often give false alarms. If you get too many false alarms, you may not pay attention to it when it gives you a real warning, not to mention how annoying and distracting false alarms can be to the driver. A good radar detector will have a balance between sensitivity and filtering.
X and K Band Differentiation – The FCC has approved two separate frequencies for traffic radar. The best radar detectors will separate the X and K band signals by using different lights or different alarm sounds. There are two reasons for wanting to know the difference. Most false alarms occur in the X band range because many electronic devices use this frequency. Garage door openers, bank alarms, etc. use this frequency. So, many times on the X band you will receive false alarms. However, police radar is the only user of the K band frequency. When you receive an alarm on the K band, you have picked up police radar. Some police radar still use X band, so having both gives maximum protection.
Highway and City Filtering – Many radar detectors have a separate city and highway position. When you drive in a city or industrial zone, any good radar detector will be set off by burglar alarms, garage door openers, etc. that operate by radar. By sensitivity to police radar! These false alerts can be received from many different sources.
Anti–Falsing Circuitry – This circuitry filters out transmissions operating on frequencies close to traffic radar. By doing this, it eliminates most false alerts while keeping the sensitivity to police radar! These false alerts can be received from many different sources.
Is a Radar Detector able to Detect Signals from Behind my Car, around Curves or Over Hills?
Yes, it can detect and alert you to radar approaching from behind, stationary or approaching source situated around a curve or over a hill. However, since the signal is reflected rather than direct, it is weaker and may come and go increase and decrease…in intensity.
From What Distance Can It Detect A Signal and Alert Me?
Radar detection distances can vary from several miles to only a few hundred feet – depending upon the type (X or K band) of transmitter, direction and power of the signal and the surrounding terrain. A more applicable performance measurement than distance is reaction time and in most radar encounters, a detector will alert you in time to react defensively.
Does the Location of the Radar Detector Affect its Performance?
Yes, as a rule the higher up the detector is mounted, the greater its detection ranges. It can be mounted on the visor, dash or windshield. It is also important that the detectors relatively level (with 20 degrees of horizontal) and that its antenna has a clear sightline of the road unobstructed by any metallic objects.
Note: When mounting on the visor (the most common and convenient place) consider the convenience and safety of both the driver and the passenger.
Are Radar Detector Against the Law in Some Locations?
A few states and localities have enacted laws to regulate the use of police radar detectors. Check local regulations before using a detector.
What is Stalker Radar?
The Stalker is a handheld radar gun operating on K band. The Stalker should do well in the radar gun marketplace as a result of the advantages it offers over existing X and K band guns including: convenience of battery operation, improved target selection, lower susceptibility to false readings and undetectable to non-wideband radar detectors.