About the RD-24 Series
Vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death for on-duty police
officers because driving at high speed always invites the possibility that a civil-
ian vehicle may enter the officer’s path or fail to yield. Slow-moving vehicles
such as farm tractors and construction equipment that must share the road are
also at risk from drivers who suddenly encounter them and, for various reasons,
do not have sufficient time to react in order to avoid a collision.
The
RD-24 Series K-Band Radar Transmitters
aim to provide a solution to both
problems by producing a strong, bidirectional signal designed to trigger a K-
band alert on any radar detector that comes into range of the unit. A speeding
driver will usually react to this signal by slowing down, and studies have shown
that nearby traffic also slows as a result. Drivers who are forewarned in this
way also have a better chance of safely reacting to the oncoming police vehicle
or the slow-moving vehicle they are about to encounter.
NOTE
This product can not and does not guarantee the prevention of
traffic accidents. It is only intended to alert other motorists to
a situation that requires extra attention on their part. Motorists
and users of this product are expected to exercise reasonable
caution and to observe and follow all applicable traffic laws.
An RD-24 can also function as a stand-in for expensive radar-based traffic cam-
eras when a few cameras are being rotated between several locations. An RD-
24 placed in the empty camera enclosure simulates the camera’s transmitter
activity, and prevents drivers with radar detectors from knowing that the camera
is not actually present. This has the potential to result in greater compliance
with posted speed limits.
NOTE
This product can not and does not guarantee that drivers will
adhere to posted speed limits or react appropriately to the real
or simulated presence of a traffic camera.
The RD-24M and RD-24T both provide three
operational
modes: Continuous
Output (always on), Consistent Timed Output (3 seconds on, 10 seconds off)
and Random Output (2 to 10 seconds on and off in a pseudo-random sequence
that repeats about once every 3½ hours).
The RD-24M also provides three
directional
modes: Front Only, Both Direc-
tions, or Alternating Front/Rear. The RD-24T emits to the front only and does
not provide a selectable directional mode.
The various combinations of these modes are selected by the way in which the
RD-24 is connected to its power source, as explained in the
Wiring
section on
the next page.
Operational Characteristics
The RD-24 transmits a signal directly ahead of and, in the case of the RD-24M,
also directly behind the vehicle on which it is mounted. Detection range will
depend upon the sensitivity of the receiving radar detector; testing has shown
that the range can vary from as little as 0.2 miles to as much as 1.3 miles or
more. Range can also be affected by the surrounding terrain, buildings, and
other traffic. It is therefore important to mount the RD-24 so that it can emit its
signal in an unobstructed fashion to both the front (marked ‘F’ on the label of
both units) and the rear (marked ‘R’ on the label of the RD-24M).
Installation
The RD-24 is weatherproof and requires no special protection against heat, cold
or moisture. The template on the back page provides a guide for the mounting
hole locations of the RD-24. The mounting holes are for #8 hardware.
On police units, the RD-24 should be mounted on top of or inside the light bar.
If mounted inside the vehicle, performance will be reduced due to attenuation
caused by the metal body of the car. On other vehicles the RD-24 may be
mounted in any convenient location that does not obstruct signal emission.
Wiring
The RD-24 is designed for use with 12 volt negative ground systems. Reverse-
polarity protection is provided and incorrect connections will not damage the
RD-24, but may result in a blown fuse in the vehicle.
A 15-foot power cord is provided with a waterproof twist-lock connector on one
end and bare wires on the other. Plug the cable connector into the mating
socket on the RD-24, ensuring the connector is fully seated, and twist the con-
nector until it clicks and locks. Then route the wire safely to a power source so
that its insulation will be protected from abrasion and chafing.
On the cable’s other end, always connect the RED wire to a source of +12 volts,
and always connect the BLACK wire to ground. Then select the desired com-
bination of operating and directional modes as shown in the chart below.
RD-24M and RD-24T
RD-24M Only
Desired
Operating
Mode
Connect
GREEN Wire
to …
Desired
Directional
Mode
Connect
WHITE Wire
to …
Continuous Ground Front
Only Ground
Timed
+12 Volts
Alternating F/R
+12 Volts
Random
Do Not Connect
Both Directions
Do Not Connect
A switch capable of carrying at least ½ amp of current may be placed in line
with the RED wire to turn the RD-24 on and off if desired.
