Whistler 1788 - Manual (Page 8)

FCC INFORMATION CARE AND MAINTENANCE
18
ARE DETECTORS LEGAL?
19
In Most States YES!
Laser-Radar detectors are legal in every state (with
the exception of Virginia and Washington, D.C., which
have local regulations restricting the use of radar
receivers in any vehicle) when used in automobiles or
light trucks (under 10,000 lbs.).
Concerning trucks over 10,000 lbs., the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a regulation,
effective January, 1994 which prohibits radar and laser
detector use in these types of vehicles nationally. Prior
to the FHWA regulation, laws existed in the state of
New York restricting the use of radar detectors in trucks
over 18,000 lbs. and in Illinois in trucks over 26,000 lbs.
Care And Maintenance
During the summer months, avoid prolonged exposure
to direct sunlight by removing your unit from the dash
when your vehicle is parked for an extended period of
time. Do not spray water, cleaners, or polishes directly
onto the unit. The spray may penetrate through the
openings and damage the unit. Also, do not use any
abrasive cleaners on the unit’s exterior.
Radar Facts
A radar gun operates by transmitting radio waves at
certain frequencies which reflect off objects and are
picked up by the radar gun’s receiving section. When
a radar beam reflects off a moving target, a measura-
ble frequency shift occurs. The radar unit converts this
shift into miles per hour to determine your vehicle’s
speed. Currently, the FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) permits operation of traffic radar guns
at X Band (10.500 - 10.550 GHz), K Band (24.050 -
24.250 GHz), and Ka Band (33.400 - 36.000 GHz).
Note: A radar detector will not alarm if an officer is
not transmitting on any one of the above radar bands.
POP™ Mode
POP ™ Mode is a feature on some newer radar guns
operating on K and Ka bands. When the gun is in
POP
™ Mode and activated, a brief burst of energy,
less that 1/15 of a second, is transmitted and the
vehicle’s speed is quickly acquired. A detector without
POP
™ Mode detection capability cannot respond to
this brief transmission.
SPEED MONITORING
FCC ID : HSXWH15
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device many not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Important: FCC requirements state that changes
or modifications not expressly approved by Whistler
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
SPEED MONITORING
21
Laser Tips
If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can often
determine your speed within a few seconds after you
receive an alert. In this situation there is generally no
time to safely adjust your speed. However, if you are
traveling near or behind the targeted vehicle and
receive an alert, response time should be sufficient.
Any laser alert, regardless of duration, requires
immediate action!
Other Speed Detection Systems
Several techniques other than radar or laser are used
to measure vehicle speeds. When these methods are
being used, no detector can provide a warning. These
techniques include:
• P Pa acciin ng g - A patrol car drives behind you and matches
your driving speed.
• V Va asscca arr//A Aiirrccrra afftt - The time it takes a vehicle to travel
a known distance is measured.
Radar Detector Detectors: VG-2, Spectre
The Interceptor VG-2 or simply VG-2, is one type of
microwave receiver used by Police to detect signals
radiated by the local oscillator of a radar detector.
Because it purpose is to identify persons driving with
radar detectors, these devices are known as a “radar
detector detector” (RDD).
An RDD is the primary tool used by the police to identify
radar detectors equipped vehicles. If caught in a state or
country where detectors are illegal, (see page 18). drivers
risk losing their radar detector and receiving a fine. In
addition, instant-on radar is almost always used in
combination with a RDD, leaving unsuspecting motorists
vulnerable to receive two tickets - one potential for
speeding, the other for possession of a detector.