I just found out from a friend that the wonderful state of Virginia is now using special scanners to detect the use of radar detectors. It seems this is a new source of revenue for the state since they can easily catch motorists using detectors which are illegal in the state of Virginia.

In case you are wonder this is a verified fact, since my friend was given a tour of the equipment after they received a ticket for their hidden radar detector!

Look out S2000 drivers in other states this great (heavy sarcasm) technology could be coming to your area.

 

Authorities have been using VG2 "radar detector detectors" for a while, and most high end radar detectors are invisible to this. However, ther is a new method of detection that I read about (I don't remember where) that even Mike Valentine (of V1 fame), admitted that it will detect his unit.

 

VA has been doing this for a long time. The better radar dectectors out now will not show up on the VG-2 unit they use for detection. There is however a newer unit that picks up almost everything. I don't think VA has them.

 

even if they did detect radar detector use in other states, what would they do about it, since they are only illegal in VA?

 

I believe there are more states than just VA where they are illegal. If my memory serves me Washinton state also has a law against them.

Anyway, I was not aware of this technology so I thought it would be helpful to pass on the info.

 

The ticket, I have been told, is about $75 if you get caught with a detector. Personally, I would rather pay that than the fine for doing 90 in a 55.....if I ever drove that fast :-)

-YS

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Yellow Streak
[B]The ticket, I have been told, is about $75 if you get caught with a detector.

 

If this is the case just keep some cheap piece of junk stashed in there somewhere and if you are cought just take the good one down very carefully and quickly. That way they will take a $25-30 unit and you are left with your nice V1 or Passport or whatever else you may have.

 

This is true and very simple technology.

All radar detectors (and even your car radio) convert any incoming signal to something us "EE"s call the "intermediate frequency" or simply IF. This conversion process is done so that all incoming frequencies can by processed at a single frequency that results in a simplied receiver design. Converting the incoming RF to the IF is done via a mixer and a Local Oscillator. The local osicalltor "broadcasts" a RF frequency into the mixer to downconvert the RF to the IF.

The "radar detector" detectors simply pick up this broadcast signal.

aran

 

Virginia does not confiscate, just fine. Let them find mine