Understanding Radar and Laser
Your Detector
Nothing
Comes Close to a Cobra
®
19
Detection
Your Detector
18 English
Understanding Radar and Laser
•
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 detector detects signals in all three radar bands, plus Ku band (13.435 GHz),
which is an approved frequency used in parts of Europe and Asia.
VG-2 and Spectre I & IV+
VG-2 and Spectre I & IV+ are radar detector detectors (RDDs) that work by
detecting low-level signals emitted by most radar detectors. Your detector
does not emit signals that can be spotted by VG-2 and Spectre I RDDs.
However, your detector can be spotted by Spectre IV+ RDDs. Your unit
detects signals from these or similar devices and will alert you when such
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 detector, 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.
Description
Interpretation
Recommended
Response
Tone repeats slowly at
first, then speeds up
rapidly.
Probably police radar.
FULL ALERT
Tone sounds one
time only.
Probably a false alarm,
but possibly pulsed radar,
VG-2, or Spectre I or IV+
nearby.
Exercise caution
Tone instantly begins
repeating rapidly.
Radar, VG-2 or Spectre I
or IV+ nearby has been
activated suddenly.
FULL ALERT
Tone repeats slowly as you
approach a hill or bridge,
then speeds up sharply as
you reach it.
Probably police
radar beyond the
hill or bridge.
FULL ALERT
Tone repeats slowly
for a short period.
Probably a false alarm.
Exercise caution
Any type of laser alert.
Laser alerts are
never false alarms.
FULL ALERT
Any Safety Alert.
You are nearing an
emergency vehicle, railroad
crossing, or road hazard
(construction, accident, etc.).
Exercise caution
Instant-On Detection
Your detector is designed to detect Instant-On speed monitoring signals,
which can suddenly appear at full strength.
NOTE
You should take appropriate action immediately
whenever an instant-on alert is given.
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