A radar dectector is a superhetrodyne receiver just like your TV and car
radio.The FCC act of 1934 clearly states the authority to regulate the
airwaves lies with the federal government and not the individual states.
Recently the FCC ruled against the village of Orchard Park NY when it banned
satellite dishes on roofs.
Some also argue that radar surveillance constitutes illegal search and
siezure. We all know it really does little for safety and does a lot to
fatten the local treasuries.I think a cop cruising in his patrol car is much
more effective for traffic safety than one hiding in the weeds only
monitoring speed and reading his novel.
Most cops don't know enough about radar to use it properly and quite frankly
the radar guns the cops have are the Yugos of the radar world. I've seen
estimates that 30 to 40 % of the radar tickets written in error. No matter
what a cop tells you his radar does not and can not identify an idividual
vehicle! All they do is report the highest speed the gun sees.
Some cars are much better radar targets than others also. If your vehicle
happens to have a piece of metal which is the correct length to act as a
reflector you'll look like a 747 to a radar. Semis are notorius for giving
very good returns because they're large vertical metal surface, because of
this they can be detected much farther away than most cars.
Now suppose you're doing 65 on I90 and a friendly NYS Trooper is hiding at
mile post 382 in the woods with his radar on. All of a sudden his radar
indicates 77 mph, he looks up, sees your Dakota and you have a ticket.
Trooper Einstein never botherd to look around and see the semi 3/4 mile
behind you going 77mph. As soon as he pulls out the semi slows down and
cruises by while you're getting tagged for speeding.
The NML and RADAR are 2 organizations that are out to protect your rights as
motorists. They are both very kowledgable and do work hard. The NML is
largely responsible for getting rid of the 55 mph NSL. I believe both have
web sited although I don't have their addresses off hand.
Sawyer, Travis wrote:
> Something seems strange to me. Back in '94 I believe the FCC made a
> ruling about the freedom of airwaves. That is, if it is out there, and
> not military, we can recieve it. I'll have to look it up.
>
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