An early radar detector

A radar detector, sometimes called a fuzz buster, is an electronic device used by motorists to determine if their speed is being monitored by a radar unit. To do so, police bounce a radio wave off of a moving vehicle with a radar gun that determines the vehicle's speed by the Doppler-effect-moderated change in the wave's frequency. Most of today's radar detectors detect signals across a variety of wavelength bands – usually X, K and K_a (as well as K_u, in Europe, also recently approved for use in the U.S). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 321 KB) Summary The Fuzzbuster 2000, an early radar detector. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 321 KB) Summary The Fuzzbuster 2000, an early radar detector. ... Driving is the controlled operation of a vehicle, usually a motor vehicle such as a truck, bus, motorcycle, or car (for bicycles and mounted animals and—at least in the U.K. and U.S.—motorcycles, the corresponding activity is called riding). ... Radio frequency, or RF, refers to that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in which electromagnetic waves can be generated by alternating current fed to an antenna. ... A source of waves moving to the left. ... The X band (3-cm radar spot-band) of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum roughly ranges from 5. ... K band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging between 12 to 63 GHz. ... The Ka band (kurz-above band) is a portion of the K band of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... The Ku band (kay-yoo kurz-under band) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging from 11 to 18 GHz. ...

These devices should not be confused with LIDAR detectors and jammers, or GPS-based warning systems that use a speed camera Point of Interest database to warn a driver who is approaching a speed camera location. A FASOR used at the Starfire Optical Range for LIDAR and laser guide star experiments is tuned to the sodium D2a line and used to excite sodium atoms in the upper atmosphere. ... Over fifty GPS satellites such as this NAVSTAR have been launched since 1978. ... A point of interest, or POI, is a specific point location that someone may find useful or interesting. ...

Newer speed detection devices use pulsed laser light, commonly referred to as LIDAR, rather than radio waves. Modern radar detectors have been modified to alert to the infrared light emitted by such LIDAR guns. LIDAR detection, however, is not nearly as effective as radar detection because the output beam is very focused. While radar's radio waves can expand to 85 feet across at 1000 feet from their source, LIDAR's light beam expands to only about 6 feet. Also, a police officer targeting a car will most likely aim for the center mass or headlight of the vehicle and, because radar detectors are mounted on the windshield away from the beam's aim, they may not alert at all. Lastly, with such a focused beam, an officer using a LIDAR gun can target a single car in close proximity to others at ranges of up to 3000 feet. A FASOR used at the Starfire Optical Range for LIDAR and laser guide star experiments is tuned to the sodium D2a line and used to excite sodium atoms in the upper atmosphere. ... For other uses, see Infrared (disambiguation). ...

Despite the advent of LIDAR speed detection, radar remains more prevalent because of its lower price relative to LIDAR equipment and the amount of radar equipment already in service. Popularity of LIDAR speed detection is on the rise, though, as costs decline, ease of operability approaches radar, and existing radar equipment reaches its end-of-service life and is rotated out of service.

Popular radar detector brands include Beltronics, Cobra, Escort, K40, Valentine One, and Whistler.

Radar Scrambling

Although some companies advertise that their radar detectors can 'scramble' or 'absorb' radar and LIDAR (such as Rocky Mountain Radar), many or all of their products do not affect radar and laser equipment due to the low power intake from the device versus the high power that bounces off a vehicle.^[1]

In the USA, it is illegal to sell or possess any such products that do transmit radar signals intended to jam radar equipment.^[2] Actively transmitting on an FCC licensed frequency without a license is a violation of FCC regulations and a felony. LIDAR jammers are legal in most states and are regulated, much like police LIDAR guns, by the FCC as Class I laser devices. Radar jamming and deception is the intentional emission of radio frequency signals to interfere with the operation of a radar by saturating its receiver with noise or false information. ... The abbreviation FCC can refer to: Face-centered cubic (usually fcc), a crystallographic structure Federal Communications Commission, a US government organization Farm Credit Corporation/Farm Credit Canada, a Canadian government organization Families with Children from China, an adoption support organization Florida Christian College, a college in central Florida Fresno City... The abbreviation FCC can refer to: Face-centered cubic (usually fcc), a crystallographic structure Federal Communications Commission, a US government organization Farm Credit Corporation/Farm Credit Canada, a Canadian government organization Families with Children from China, an adoption support organization Florida Christian College, a college in central Florida Fresno City...

Legality

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In some countries and areas, such as those listed below, using or possessing a radar detector is illegal and may result in fines, seizure of the device, or both. These prohibitions generally are introduced under the premise that a driver who uses a radar detector will pose a greater risk of accident than a driver who does not. However, some research has found that the opposite is true. The 2001 Mori report suggests that radar detector users posed a 28% less risk of accident. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ...

• Australia: All states besides Western Australia. They are illegal to sell, purchase or possess in SA, NSW, ACT & Vic. Radar Detectors are illegal to use in NT, Queensland & Tas.^[3][4]
• Belgium: In July 2006 a provisional seisure of a vehicle worth over 75.000 EUR itself was ordered by the courts, destruction of the radar detector itself and the driver's license was suspended for 3 months.^{[citation needed]}
• Canada (Illegal:Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island,New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories Legal: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan): Regardless of whether they are used or not, police there may confiscate radar detectors, operational or not, and impose substantial fines in provinces where radar detectors are illegal.^[5]
• Egypt
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany 75€ fine , 4 Points, destruction of the radar detector
• Greece
• Ireland (Republic of)
• Latvia
• Netherlands 250€ fine and seizure of the device (since 2004)
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania - legal since 2006 (although radar jammers still illegal)
• South Africa - illegal (defeating the ends of justice)
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland, destruction of the radar detector. The use of any GPS-based device to locate speed cameras is also illegal.
• Taiwan
• Turkey
• United Kingdom, although not legal to own, but was technically illegal to use under a 1949 wireless act until 1998, due to legal loophole causing them to be legalised suddenly. The law will be changing in November 2008 to make all radar detectors illegal.
• United States law varies from state to state, but detectors are generally legal in private vehicles under the Communications Act of 1934^[6] and illegal in commercial vehicles by DOT regulation (49 CFR 392.71). Exceptions:
  • Illegal in all vehicles: Virginia, Washington D.C., U.S. military bases
  • Illegal in commercial vehicles under state law: Illinois, New York (specifically, commercial vehicles over 10,000 lb. and all vehicles over 18,000 lb.)
  • Indirectly illegal: Minnesota and California (illegal to hang anything from the windshield with suction cups; however both dashboard and visor mounting is allowed.) [1]
  • Repealed: Connecticut (repealed in 1998)

Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... Motto: Quaerite Prime Regnum Dei (Seek ye first the kingdom of God) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital St. ... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit(Latin) One defends and the other conquers Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English, Canadian Gaelic Government - Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis - Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 11 - Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867... This article is about the Canadian province. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 107 Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Latin: Glorious and free) Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Official languages English French (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 14 Senate seats 6 Confederation July 15, 1870 (5th) Area  Ranked 8th Total 647,797... Motto: none Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Whitehorse Largest city Whitehorse Commissioner Jack Cable Premier Dennis Fentie (Yukon Party) Area 482,443 km² (9th)  - Land 474,391 km²  - Water 8,052 km² (1. ... For the former United States territory, see Northwest Territory. ... For other uses, see Alberta (disambiguation). ... Motto: Splendor sine occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 36 Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 5th Total 944... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Over fifty GPS satellites such as this NAVSTAR have been launched since 1978. ... The Communications Act of 1934 was a United States federal law enacted as Public Law Number 416, Act of June 19, 1934, ch. ... The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... This article is about the state. ... Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport[3] Largest metro area Hartford Metro Area[2] Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[4] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ...

RDDs - Radar Detector Detectors

Main article: Radar detector detector

RADAR detectors are built around a superheterodyne receiver, which has a local oscillator that radiates slightly, so it is possible to build a radar-detector detector, which detects such emissions (usually the frequency of the radar type being detected, plus about 10 MHz). The VG-2 Interceptor was the first device developed for this purpose, but has since been eclipsed by the Spectre III. ^[7] This form of "electronic warfare" cuts both ways - since detector-detectors use a similar superheterodyne receiver, many early "stealth" radar detectors were equipped with a radar-detector-detector-detector circuit, which shuts down the main radar receiver when the detector-detector's signal is sensed, thus preventing detection by such equipment. This technique borrows from ELINT surveillance countermeasures. In the early 1990s, BEL-Tronics, Inc. of Ontario, Canada (where radar detector use is prohibited) found that the local oscillator frequency of the detector could be altered to be out of the range of the VG-2 Interceptor. This resulted in detector manufacturers responding by changing their local oscillator frequency. Today, practically every radar detector on the market is immune to the VG-2 Interceptor^{[citation needed]}. To date, the only radar detector that has been proven to be immune to all RDDs is the Beltronics STi Driver^{[citation needed]}. The Spectre III (Stalcar in Australia) RDD alerts its user when it senses the presence of a radar detector. ... In electronics, the superheterodyne receiver (also known by its full name, the supersonic heterodyne receiver, or by the abbreviated form superhet) is a technique for selectively recovering the information from radio waves of a particular frequency. ... Oscillation is the periodic variation, typically in time, of some measure as seen, for example, in a swinging pendulum. ... Electromagnetic radiation or EM radiation is a combination (cross product) of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other, moving through space as a wave, effectively transporting energy and momentum. ... // Electronic warfare (EW) is the use of the electromagnetic spectrum to effectively deny the use of this phenomena by an adversary, while optimizing its use by friendly forces. ... ELINT stands for ELectronic INTelligence, and refers to intelligence-gathering by use of electronic sensors. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 107 Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area...

See also

• Federal Communications Commission
• Radar
• Road safety

FCC redirects here. ... For other uses, see Radar (disambiguation). ... The field of road safety is concerned with reducing the numbers or the consequences of vehicle crashes, by developing and implementing management systems ideally based in a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, with interrelated activities in a number of fields. ...

References