4
5
U N D E R S TA N D I N G R A D A R & L A S E R
Radar Speed
Monitoring Systems
Three band frequencies have been approved
by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) for use by speed monitoring radar
equipment:
X band
10.525 GHz
K band
24.150 GHz
Ka band
33.400-36.00 GHz
Your ESD-9860 detects signals in all three
radar bands.
VG-2
VG-2 is a "detector detector" that works
by detecting low-level signals emitted by
most radar detectors. Your ESD-9860 does
not emit signals that can be detected by
VG-2, but does detect VG-2 signals and
will alert you when a device is in use
near your vehicle.
Safety Alert
®
Traffic
Warning System
FCC-approved Safety
Alert
®
transmitters emit
microwave radar signals that indicate the
presence of a safety-related concern.
Depending on the frequency of the signal
emitted, it can indicate a speeding
emergency vehicle or train, or a stationary
road hazard.
Because these microwave signals are within
the K band frequency, most conventional
radar detectors will detect Safety Alert
®
signals as standard K band radar. Your
ESD-9860, however, is designed to
differentiate between standard K band
and Safety Alert
®
signals, and give separate
alerts for each.
Safety Alert
®
technology is relatively new.
Safety Alert
®
transmitters can be found in
limited numbers in all 50 states, but the
number is growing. Depending on your
location, you may not receive these alerts
regularly and may often encounter
emergency vehicles, trains, and road
hazards without being alerted. As the
number of transmitters increases, these
alerts will become more common.
When you receive such an alert, please
watch for emergency vehicles ahead of you,
on cross streets, and behind you. If you see
an emergency vehicle approaching, please
pull over to the right side of the road and
allow it to pass.
21
20
D E T E C T I O N
tone repeats slowly at first, then
speeds up rapidly
tone sounds one time only
tone instantly begins
repeating rapidly
tone repeats slowly as you
approach a hill or bridge, then
speeds up sharply as you reach it
tone repeats slowly for a short period
any type of laser alert
any Safety Alert
®
or
Strobe Alert™
probably police radar
probably a false alarm, but
possibly pulsed radar
radar or VG-2 nearby has
been activated suddenly
probably police radar beyond
the hill or bridge
probably a false alarm
laser alerts are never
false alarms
you are nearing an emergency
vehicle, railroad crossing, or road
hazard (construction, accident, etc.)
FULL ALERT
exercise caution
FULL ALERT
FULL ALERT
exercise caution
FULL ALERT
exercise caution
Description
Interpretation
Recommended Response
Responding To Alerts
Instant-On Detection
Your ESD-9860 is designed to detect
instant-on speed monitoring signals, which
can suddenly appear at full strength.
You should take appropriate
action immediately whenever
an alert is given.
