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SECTION 8 - INFLUENCES AND INTERFERENCE 

8.4 

8.2 GROUNDSPEED 

True groundspeed of the patrol vehicle is required by all 

moving traffic radar systems before a target vehicle’s speed 
can be accurately computed.  If the Falcon HR loses correct 
groundspeed, the operator can recapture groundspeed by 
quickly activating and then deactivating the HOLD mode. 
 
If the speedometer input is being used with the Falcon HR, 
the DSP will accurately track even a weak patrol speed 
return due to the small tracking window, unlike radar 
without speedometer input. 
 
The Falcon HR will always look for and display 
groundspeed before displaying any targets.  The 
groundspeed radar signature is unlike most target or 
interference signals.  The DSP can identify this pattern, 
which is helpful in situations such as shadowing or 
combined speeds.  While the speedometer input and DSP 
technology will eliminate most of the influences found in 
moving radar, it is still the responsibility of the operator to 
complete a tracking history on the target vehicle and verify 

the patrol speed with the patrol vehicle’s speedometer.  

Close observation of the patrol vehicle’s speed reading is 
recommended to avoid possible confusion. 

 

NOTE:

  The Falcon HR will not display patrol speeds 

below 16 km/h, or below the patrol minimum 
setting if the speedometer input is not used. 

 

Operating moving radar in the rain and snow requires the 
operator to pay close attention to the patrol speed.  Since 
rain, fog and snow may affect the ability of the radar 
system to find groundspeed, the operator must verify the 
displayed patrol speed reading is correct. 

 
 

Summary of Contents for Falcon HR

Page 1: ...Falcon HR Ontario Traffic Safety Radar OPERATOR S MANUAL P N 006 0862 02 Rev 1 1010 W CHESTNUT CHANUTE KS 66720 0947...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...in a retrieval system or transmitted in whole or in part in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without prior written permission of Kustom Signals Inc 9...

Page 4: ...Radar Installation 3 4 4 UNIT DESCRIPTION 4 1 4 0 Side View 4 1 4 1 Rear Panel 4 2 4 2 Remote Control 4 5 4 3 Mounting Pod Optional 4 7 5 GENERAL THEORY of OPERATION 5 1 5 0 General 5 1 5 1 Microwave...

Page 5: ...aintenance Mode 7 15 7 9 Test Screen Mode 7 15 8 INFLUENCES AND INTERFERENCE 8 1 8 0 Natural Influences 8 1 8 1 Man Made Influences 8 2 8 2 Groundspeed 8 4 9 CARE OF THE FALCON HR 9 1 9 0 Routine Care...

Page 6: ...13 6 13 5 Locking 13 9 14 OPTIONS 14 1 14 0 Options Setup 14 1 14 1 Options Description 14 2 14 2 Options Examples 14 4 A PRINTER DATALOGGER OPTIONS A 1 B ATTESTATION OF CONFORMITY B 1 B 1 Certificati...

Page 7: ...direction with automatic add or subtract difference speed fastest vehicle detection in all modes TruTrak with Automatic Mode Switching AMS Smart Patrol Search SPS and stationary modes that allow the o...

Page 8: ...2 km h Operating Voltage Corded 10 0 to 16 5 VDC 300 mA max The Falcon HR will operate normally and not display a low voltage alert to at least 10 0 VDC Typically it will continue to operate even when...

Page 9: ...er 30 seconds 13 6 60 24 Reverse Voltage Protection Diode protection No damage if supply leads reversed Electronic Components 100 solid state integrated circuits and Digital Signal Processor Operating...

Page 10: ...crystals done periodically 5 minutes maximum upon every mode change and at the time of lock Err displayed if an error is found Lock Time Instantaneous Patrol window Displays Doppler patrol speed Targ...

Page 11: ...ensitivity Stationary 10 dB from 56 to 144 km h 5 dB from 96 to 144 km h Moving Opposite Dir 10 dB from 64 to 144 km h 5 dB from 96 to 144 km h Moving Same Dir 10 dB from 8 to 40 km h Stationary Spec...

Page 12: ...ol Speed Indicators Stationary TARGET window displayed Moving PATROL and TARGET both displayed in window Low Battery Warning Flashing BATT displayed and an audio warning tone sounds every 2 minutes wh...

Page 13: ...speeds will remain Hold HOLD is displayed when the system is not transmitting Controlled by the trigger in handheld mode or remote control in mounted mode Lock LOCK displayed and flashing indicating...

Page 14: ...aphic These indicators are used to indicate the direction of the fastest speed Approaching Receding Microwave Freq 24 125 GHz Beam Width 12 1 Horizontal Polarization Linear Power Density Less than 1 m...

Page 15: ...lete or parts are missing please contact Kustom Signals Customer Service Department at 1 800 835 0156 or 620 431 2700 3 1 MATERIALS SUPPLIED The following equipment is normally included Antenna Displa...

Page 16: ...normal tones or noise in the audio An auxiliary power receptacle and cable which mounts under the dashboard and wires directly to the battery is available from Kustom part number 155 2127 00 1 Mount t...

Page 17: ...uctor of the cable will be connected to the patrol vehicle s electrical speedometer input cable using the splice connector provided Due to the vast amount of models makes and years of vehicles we have...

Page 18: ...he dash mount the trigger is inoperable and the remote control is used to control the unit To attach the pod remove the handle by pressing the blue release button latch on the bottom of the indicator...

Page 19: ...w indicating ALL APr or rEc FAST TARGET 6 Momentarily press the AUD audio switch The TARGET window will display Aud and a number from 1 to 5 indicating the audio level With Aud displayed press the RNG...

Page 20: ...t to the windshield using the suction cups and Velcro 9 Position of the antenna Moving Aim the antenna parallel to the ground and straight down the roadway Stationary Unit may be operated on the mount...

Page 21: ...perates in stationary mode only The trigger is used to Activate the transmitter Data Charger connector FALCON HR Lock the active target speed Control optional fastest feature NOTE The Falcon HR can co...

Page 22: ...TROL FAST LOCK TARGET HOLD BATT TEST Km h SLOW TEST MODE AUD RNG PWR A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R A TARGET Displays target vehicle speeds in stationary and moving modes B Km h Indicates when th...

Page 23: ...t mode Secondary function is the increment up control G Latch Press to unlatch radar from handle H IR Detector Receiver for the IR remote control I AUD Audio Puts the unit in the audio set mode Second...

Page 24: ...T Indicates the unit is in fastest mode and that the fastest vehicle speed is displayed in the FAST LOCK window O HOLD Indicates the radar transmitter is turned off P BATT Indicates when the battery o...

Page 25: ...AST SAME OPP PAT SEL MODE A B C D E F Wireless Remote Wired Remote FALCON HR KUSTOM SIGNALS INC KUSTOM SIGNALS INC When the Falcon HR has a handle attached and is placed in the mount certain functions...

Page 26: ...ng Mode 2 Stationary ALL 3 Stationary Approaching only 4 Stationary Receding only D LOCK REL Alternately Locks and Releases the target and patrol speeds E FAST Turns fastest vehicle mode on or off NOT...

Page 27: ...rovides information to video systems or for updating operating software All operations of the Falcon HR can be controlled via this port B Speedometer Input Accepts speedometer cable connector C Remote...

Page 28: ...top surface of a flat substrate The bottom surface of the substrate allows for the integration of the electronic transceiver The antenna has one transmit and one receive array each consisting of thir...

Page 29: ...ionary objects back to the antenna This returning signal is the groundspeed Doppler From the antenna it travels to the Digital Signal Processor DSP where the signal is translated to the speed of the p...

Page 30: ...de of operation the target Doppler is received from a target traveling in the same direction as the patrol vehicle These groundspeed Doppler and the difference Doppler signals are received and sent to...

Page 31: ...levels expressed in terms of power density are 10 mW cm for K band and Ka band radar units Similarly the Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA a division of the U S Department of Labor r...

Page 32: ...to 0 02 mW cm These measurements were obtained with the radars mounted inside vehicles as in normal operating conditions Since the NBS study other laboratories have duplicated these types of measurem...

Page 33: ...both TARGET and PATROL display windows in the moving mode This will remain for approximately one 1 second The displays will clear and the unit will be operational 6 2 AUTOMATIC SELF TEST As long as th...

Page 34: ...the radar unit must be synchronized with the speedometer 1 After installation the Falcon HR should be driven at a constant speed between 48 and 112 km h Press the PAT SEL switch on the remote control...

Page 35: ...cle is slowing down and the speed drops below the minimum speed dashes will be displayed 6 5 MINIMUM PATROL SPEED SET 1 When the speedometer input feature is not used the Falcon HR allows the operator...

Page 36: ...Falcon HR s PATROL speed display is another accuracy test that can be performed These readings should be the same or within reasonable limits allowing for minor speedometer error Speedometer checks sh...

Page 37: ...c radar system Kustom Signals recommends that all operators have prior training in radar speed monitoring devices Such courses are offered by Kustom Signals various state and local agencies and either...

Page 38: ...f The charging time will vary depending upon the amount of discharge but typically overnight will completely charge the Falcon HR s battery Please note any interruption in the 110V power supplied to t...

Page 39: ...e BATT indicator becomes steady When the voltage falls further the Falcon HR shuts off to prevent complete discharge of the battery 7 1 3 LOCATION 1 For stationary operation select an area that provid...

Page 40: ...leased 7 1 5 AUDIO UNSQUELCH To unsquelch the audio press AUD then press MODE while Aud is showing in the TARGET window Un will be displayed and the audio will be unsquelched To return to squelched au...

Page 41: ...d audio levels as needed 3 Point the Falcon HR at the intended target vehicle pull and hold the trigger to take the transmitter out of HOLD and complete the tracking history 4 Complete a tracking hist...

Page 42: ...ire an automatic unlock feature The Falcon HR software has a feature that when enabled will unlock all locked speeds when 15 minutes has elapsed 7 2 3 FASTEST VEHICLE MODE OPTIONAL FEATURE Falcon HRs...

Page 43: ...d pushing rearward until the release button clicks indicating the unit is securely in place 3 Connect the remote control and speedometer input cables as required Plug the unit in turn on Dash mounted...

Page 44: ...a locked in speed press again See Sec 7 2 2 for details 3 To shut off the transmitter press HOLD on the remote The HOLD indicator will light and the TARGET display will blank locked speeds will remai...

Page 45: ...refer to Sec 6 5 MINIMUM PATROL SPEED SET 3 While driving observe traffic and complete a tracking history as described in Section 7 2 1 Step 4 and verify the radar s patrol speed reading with the pat...

Page 46: ...is placed in Hold the patrol vehicle s speed at the time of lock will flash in the PATROL window NOTE This allows the operator to continue to track the target while monitoring the patrol vehicle s sp...

Page 47: ...ll indicate the direction of travel of the fastest target The TARGET window will continue to display the strongest signal speed and the patrol speed will continue to track 7 4 5 MOVING MODE FASTEST VE...

Page 48: ...le and the target vehicle is 5 km h The maximum difference is 0 65 x Patrol Speed 65 of Patrol Speed For a patrol speed of 80 km h the maximum difference speed would be 52 km h NOTE If an incorrect Pa...

Page 49: ...ithout the speedometer pulse input If it is not connected to the speedometer pulse input it will operate as standard directional radar If the Falcon HR is connected to the speedometer pulse input it w...

Page 50: ...t first capture the patrol vehicle speed before any target speeds are processed It is during this initial capturing from Hold that radar processing is the most vulnerable to patrol shadowing or combin...

Page 51: ...t 40 km h patrol speed will be displayed 7 8 MAINTENANCE MODE The Falcon HR has a maintenance configuration mode which can be used for diagnosis and configuration Holding the PWR switch depressed for...

Page 52: ...ed can also be affected by driving rain It is recommended that the operator compare the patrol speed reading and the speedometer reading frequently during rainy periods 2 Terrain can affect the range...

Page 53: ...are approaching each other at low speeds usually in the 40 to 56 km h range each and at relative short distances usually less than 100 meters The radar unit sees a strong reflection from the combined...

Page 54: ...termittent fan readings and the distorted audio Proper antenna mounting placement and aiming will eliminate most of the potential fan interferences NOTE If there are still problems with fan interferen...

Page 55: ...ence signals The DSP can identify this pattern which is helpful in situations such as shadowing or combined speeds While the speedometer input and DSP technology will eliminate most of the influences...

Page 56: ...her resistant the radar unit the mounting pod and remote control are not waterproof If any liquid should get inside remove power immediately and send the unit in to a repair facility Prompt action can...

Page 57: ...ou do not have access to our website please call our Customer Service Department at 800 835 0156 or 620 431 2700 to obtain your RMA number before returning your unit The following information will be...

Page 58: ...ries in a landfill They must be recycled at an appropriate facility disposed of in accordance with local ordinances or shipped back to Kustom Signals for disposal For more information on disposal faci...

Page 59: ...t be established that radar when properly used was capable of registering speed of a motor vehicle on a highway and that the machine was in good working condition and was properly used HELD On summari...

Page 60: ...ined the RADAR operator and in doing so referred to a textbook the Law of Speeding and RADAR and specifically to passages stating that certain atmospheric or environmental conditions could give spurio...

Page 61: ...y He also wished to have the manual to review sources of interference that may make the unit susceptible to inaccuracies In addition the testing procedure was sought for review The Crown in response t...

Page 62: ...for judgement found that the officer had checked the radar before and after use by the accepted manufacturer s technique That evidence was not before the J P at trial R v Furlong P O A 1985 Defence a...

Page 63: ...he conviction citing that she had been intimidated into the agreement In his ruling Judge K P Evans stated This long time practice of having the charging police officer attempt to negotiate a plea or...

Page 64: ...successful R v Lounsbury 1993 Manitoba Court of the Queen s Bench The accused was charged for speeding The RADAR operator testified at trial that it was his usual practice to test the unit both before...

Page 65: ...100 km h Quebec c Robitaille 1991 Quebec Court of Appeal A police officer who was following the accused s vehicle testified that the speedometer of his own car recorded a speed of 140 km h while the...

Page 66: ...ADAR R v Strong 1988 Nova Scotia County Court The accused was acquitted of a speeding charge Although the trial Judge accepted the evidence of the police officer with respect to the actual speed of th...

Page 67: ...officer s qualifications were challenged HELD ON APPEAL In this case the officer could not be regarded as a qualified radar operator and therefore a prima facie case was not made out NOTE Can be disti...

Page 68: ...a facie rule applies it has to be established in evidence that 1 the radar machine was in proper working order and 2 the radar operator was qualified to operate the machine in question At all times th...

Page 69: ...d and used in accordance with the instruction manual may cause harmful interference to radio communications Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in...

Page 70: ...must accept any interference including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device Le pr sent appareil est conforme aux CNR d Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts...

Page 71: ...ng vehicle s cigarette socket Unit will not complete Verify the power plug is test cycle or secure If the ERR message shows ERR indicator is lit power the unit off then back on If the problem persists...

Page 72: ...Verify speedometer input is synchronized properly Verify the patrol speed is above patrol minimum setting and below 192 km h Place unit in stationary mode and drive patrol vehicle Verify TARGET windo...

Page 73: ...patrol vehicle Remove unit from service if above tests fail Short range Verify the range control is properly set for the desired distance to target vehicles Verify the unit is aimed properly Verify t...

Page 74: ...tion of vehicles to be displayed Definition of Terms ALL Stationary mode Detects both approaching and receding vehicles ALL shown in PATROL display window The direction indicators in the road graphic...

Page 75: ...ONARY ROAD GRAPHIC Target Approaching Target Receding Not active in Stationary modes Represents the officers vehicle 13 2 MOVING MODE ROAD GRAPHIC Target Moving Opposite Target Same Direction On indic...

Page 76: ...cles are traveling repeatedly depress the MODE switch until ALL is displayed in the PATROL window When the radar is operated in the Stationary ALL mode the roadway graphic will light the appropriate d...

Page 77: ...e MODE switch until APr appears in the PATROL window When the radar is operated in the Stationary Approaching mode the TARGET window will indicate the strongest approaching target speed The road indic...

Page 78: ...y depress the MODE switch until rEc is displayed in the PATROL window When the radar is operated in the Stationary Receding mode the TARGET window will indicate the strongest receding target speed The...

Page 79: ...searching Indicator flashes when fastest vehicle found When operating the radar in Same Direction mode the same direction road indicator corresponding to the antenna selected will be on solid and the...

Page 80: ...icle speed will be displayed in the FAST window NOTE In the Same Direction Fastest Mode the fastest target vehicle must be faster than the patrol vehicle by 5 km h Example 1 Patrol vehicle 100 km h La...

Page 81: ...icle speed will be displayed in the TARGET window If the Fastest feature is activated the moving opposite fastest indicator will be on solid until a vehicle which is faster than the strongest vehicle...

Page 82: ...graphic flash together Fastest tracking moves to the TARGET speed window If the Lock button is pressed while tracking a fastest vehicle in any mode the fastest speed will be locked in the LOCK window...

Page 83: ...nstruct the operator how to change the unit Option Add No AUTO UNLOCK 0 Automatic UNLOCK 1 Track through Lock 5 seconds 0 HOLD immediately after lock 2 Minimum audio level 1 4 Note Minimum audio level...

Page 84: ...gger operation The Falcon HR defaults to transmitting for 5 seconds after the trigger is released when locking a target This allows the target to be tracked after lock during this time If preferred th...

Page 85: ...tch and for 2 seconds after it is released The alternate mode is toggle in this mode fastest is alternately turned on or off by pressing the FAST switch If fastest toggle mode is desired add 16 to the...

Page 86: ...alue Opt screen users selectable options value Using the UP and DOWN arrows AUDIO and RANGE switches increase or decrease the number for the value needed To make these changes permanent until changed...

Page 87: ...th time and date will be stored in the Falcon HR internal nonvolatile memory The feature can be set to log each time a target speed is locked or when the operator presses the MODE switch while a targe...

Page 88: ...dO Enter the value of the desired options by pressing the up RNG or down AUD keys 0 English Print and Log Locked Target when MODE pressed 1 English Print and Log when Target is Locked 2 Spanish Print...

Page 89: ...n The current month will be flashing To adjust the month setting use the down AUD or up RNG switches Press the MODE switch to adjust the date setting While the date display is flashing use the down AU...

Page 90: ...Falcon HR is connected to the Able printer using KSI PN 155 3504 00 cable The following is an example of the standard print slip SN 1005 0130 TARGET 87 PATROL 60 MOV Km h 14 08 01 15 07 Sign ________...

Page 91: ...lcon HR DataLogger memory to a PC file using TalonDL software provided by KSI The file will be in a standard text file for viewing or printing The following is an example of the standard format Falcon...

Page 92: ...PC SOFTWARE KSI provides TALONDL software to interface with a Falcon HR that has the DataLogger feature The Falcon HR unit needs to be connected to the PC serial port using a Talon to PC cable KSIPN 1...

Page 93: ...SECTION B ATTESTATION OF CONFORMITY B 1 B ATTESTATION OF CONFORMITY B 1 CE CERTIFICATION OF CONFORMITY...

Page 94: ...SECTION B ATTESTATION OF CONFORMITY B 2 B 2 AS NZ CERTIFICATION OF CONFORMITY...

Page 95: ...is information will vary by vehicle make and model year Kustom Signals recommends contacting the vehicle manufacturer and following their instructions with respect to mounting of radar units and other...

Page 96: ...nd and insert between pages 3 6 and 4 1 in the manual 2 Print Section A Printer DataLogger Optional Features front and back on Buff bond and insert between warranty section and radar log 3 With it Rad...

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