Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!cca!decvax!vortex!lauren
From: lauren@vortex.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: radar detectors
Message-ID: <55@vortex.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 5-Jun-83 14:41:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: vortex.55
Posted: Sun Jun  5 14:41:06 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Jun-83 02:40:27 EDT
Lines: 29

Well, over the years I've seen two different techniques described
to "alter" the readings of radar speed monitoring equipment.

The simplest involved mounting a good-sized loudspeaker on the bumper,
with a rubber sheet mounted across the opening.  You were then 
supposed to glue some foil strips onto the sheet, and run a very
low frequency tone through the loudspeaker.

The other technique used a small, bizarre antenna-like contraption that
would be mounted on the car.  You were supposed to run a signal
into this beastie as well.  It supposedly had elements to cause problems
for both K and X band radar.

I've never seen either of these techniques actually tried, nor
do I have any practical experience with any other techniques.  
Out here in California, radar traps are not the same sort of
problem that they are back east.  While radar *is* used from
time to time here, you only rarely see organized speed traps of
the sort typical in the east.  Also, unmarked vehicles may *not*
be used to ticket traffic violators in California (at least
in Los Angeles and on the freeways throughout the state). 
Even more significant is the fact that the Highway Patrol
(our "state police") may not use radar on California freeways.
It turns out that they have been authorized to do so for years,
but the California legislature, mindful of public opinion on this
issue, has consistently refused to allocate funds for the purchase
of radar equipment for the Patrol.  

--Lauren--