Questions on Radar Testing and Use

[InsipidMonkey]

I just picked up a surplus CHP Golden Eagle unit with two 35.5 antennas and had some questions on setup and testing.

1. Are there any detrimental effects to using a radar unit close to your detector? Is it possible to overload the frontend of the RD and damage something or permanently reduce sensitivity? I notice that in a lot of testing videos guns are being shot at the detectors point blank or in the same vehicle and haven't heard anything about an ill effects. This might only be a problem with radios and scanners because the radiated output power of some radios is in the range of several watts, while a radar unit seems to have a max output power ~25mW. Is this something I should be worried about testing near my daily driver RD?

2. How can I tell if the Golden Eagle counting unit/CPU will work with a K band antenna? I see that some of them (like the one [MENTION=6]radarrob[/MENTION] just sold) work with both K and Ka but I can't find any info on what determines that. Do the antenna connectors look different?

3. Has anyone found a better option for a portable 12V source to run the radar from? Bonus points if it has USB power as well to run a dash cam. I read [MENTION=12732]Deacon[/MENTION]'s thread here: https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=60186 about his trials and tribulations with this, but was hoping for a more portable Li ion solution. I guess the issue is most of the portable jumpstarters aren't made to output 12V 1-2A continuously?

4. Is the general consensus not to bother getting a FCC Part 90 license?

5. Has anyone tried a semi-permanent concealed install (eg radar antenna behind F/R bumper)? Could be handy to move over LLHs or Cobra users? Or is mobile radar use by non-LEOs frowned upon in general?

Looking forward to setting up some testing! I am keeping my eyes open for a Stalker as well so I can try to figure out the V1 custom sweeps behavior a little more.

 

[InsipidMonkey]

To point 3, I found this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9UKLWS/?tag=rdf0cd0c-20 which looks like it fits the bill. 12Ah, has a direct 12V outlet with cigarette adapter rated for up to 8A continuous, plus USB. It also claims each cell is regulated individually, and includes some interesting features.



Tattu JTS1

[FONT=&amp]12V/USB Outputs[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]The “USB 5V/3A Output” power mobile device. [/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]The “12V/8A Output” will power your Notebook, Cigarette lighter and even portable car accessories like inflators & car refrigerators. [/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]One Key Storage[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Tattu JST1 has exclusively developed the "One Key Storage" function. If not to use the unit for a long period, keeping pressing the “STORE” key will let the unit enter ‘Storage Mode’, which means the unit will automatically discharge to around 60% of full capacity, after that will enter a low-power mode. This feature helps maximize the device life . [/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Accurate Power Display[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]The OLED display can show percentage of capacity, you can be aware of the real-time power just like smart-phones, easy for you to arrange using and charging time.

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Balanced Charging
Tattu JST1 owns an internal equalization circuit board to achieve the same capacity for every piece of battery cells. Each charging is an optimization of the battery, to maintain good performance and to extend the unit's life at the
greatest extent

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Safety Protection
Made of LiFePO4(The lithium iron phosphate), Well protection comes from more secure and stable material; Premium battery cells, circuitry and safety features protect you and your devices from surges and short circuit

[/FONT][FONT=&amp]What you get
Tattu JST1 Jump Starter, Battery Clamps, Wall Charger, Car Charger, 12V Cigarette Lighter Socket, Micro USB Cable, Carrying Case, User Manual and Our friendly customer service

I'm a little concerned about the quality/support, but Tattu does have a decent reputation for LiPoly batteries in the Drone and R/C markets.

Anyone seen this before?[/FONT]

 

[Doppler]

1. You can kill a detector from short point blank range or from prolonged use in close proximity.

2. Check the manual, the units I have were all chosen because of the compatibility to do both RP1 and G2, I am unsure about the GEs.

3. I've used a black and decker jumpstart batter with some success, also enlisting a friend with a car. The starter pack I used has since been discontinued, and the battery died after about 6 years. There's also AC-DC 12v adapters out there so you can setup something at home, something in a car and test in that manner.

4. I would say get one, if you know what you're doing it's not hard to get done. But I'd assume most people don't, there are tons of baseball teams and scouts out there using Ka without the needed licenses, and actually I suspect there's even PDs out there that think they're covered but their radio situation changed and they fall short.

5. Yes. But if you go around zapping rabbits, remember some of us have arrows, and you're making it so there's nobody up ahead to take the I/O hit for you. Generally unwise, but if you youtube search bushnell, they almost sell more for highway users targeting each other than for baseball practice.

Where did you find the Surplus offering? Might be a good source for the community to pickup LIDAR guns as they update as well.

 

[InsipidMonkey]

Found this as well, same capacity and for $10 less:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDUQRSO/?tag=rdf0cd0c-20


It also appears to have a 2 year warranty. I was unable to find warranty info for the Tattu unit.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks [MENTION=7004]Doppler[/MENTION] and [MENTION=12732]Deacon[/MENTION] for the replies.

1. You can kill a detector from short point blank range or from prolonged use in close proximity.

Good to know. Have any of our many testers on this forum had this happen in practice?

2. Check the manual, the units I have were all chosen because of the compatibility to do both RP1 and G2, I am unsure about the GEs.

The manual seems to be a general pdf printout. I believe there are some GEs with the capability and some without. It's not clear from what I have.

3. I've used a black and decker jumpstart batter with some success, also enlisting a friend with a car. The starter pack I used has since been discontinued, and the battery died after about 6 years. There's also AC-DC 12v adapters out there so you can setup something at home, something in a car and test in that manner.

Thanks, I found some options on Amazon I may check out.

4. I would say get one, if you know what you're doing it's not hard to get done. But I'd assume most people don't, there are tons of baseball teams and scouts out there using Ka without the needed licenses, and actually I suspect there's even PDs out there that think they're covered but their radio situation changed and they fall short.

Yeah, I found a site that walks you through the application process. Looks to be $150/10 years? A license search on the FCC website reveals a handful of licensed enthusiasts in the area.

5. Yes. But if you go around zapping rabbits, remember some of us have arrows, and you're making it so there's nobody up ahead to take the I/O hit for you. Generally unwise, but if you youtube search bushnell, they almost sell more for highway users targeting each other than for baseball practice.

Good points. I'll keep them in mind.

Where did you find the Surplus offering? Might be a good source for the community to pickup LIDAR guns as they update as well.

Sites like GovDeals, although you almost always have to pickup the item in person (or have someone local pick it up for you), and they are inconsistent about restricting things like RADAR/LIDAR to LEO only.

 

[Doppler]

1. Yes. And I'm like 80% sure I know who to tag but I don't want to accidentally call out the wrong person. Radar horn to horn with detector, fired. LNA was toast afterwards, never to alert again. They posted as a warning to the rest of us. FYI setting two lidar guns head to head can do the same thing.

2. I think there might be a thread out there about taking a GE antenna and getting it to fire from a 12v source with a little rigging. So if you found a deal on a K band antenna and it works great, if not you might still be able to get testing use out of it.

4. Yes. Don't go off of the database for enthusaits, there's a whole list of reasons, from baseball to neighborhood watches to business applications (tech companies seem to have them at a high rate).

 

[InsipidMonkey]

1. Yes. And I'm like 80% sure I know who to tag but I don't want to accidentally call out the wrong person. Radar horn to horn with detector, fired. LNA was toast afterwards, never to alert again. They posted as a warning to the rest of us. FYI setting two lidar guns head to head can do the same thing.

Is it [MENTION=95]Nine_C1[/MENTION] point-blank IO testing of his RedLine you were thinking of?
https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=14577&p=197828&viewfull=1#post197828

Took a little digging on Google, but I'm glad I found it. The rest of the posts I read seemed to think it was theoretically possible, but highly unlikely.

 

[InsipidMonkey]

Ordered the Nekteck unit. I will test it out and report back. Seems like a steal at $50 if it's able to run a radar unit and dash cam for 10 hrs and double as a portable jump starter to carry around in my car. Not bad for a little 1 lb unit.

 

[Sommelier]

Keep us posted on that.

 

[Jaguar]

Can confirm the two lidar guns... Still have these broken LZ1's I can do nothing with...

 

[InsipidMonkey]

Ordered the Nekteck unit. I will test it out and report back. Seems like a steal at $50 if it's able to run a radar unit and dash cam for 10 hrs and double as a portable jump starter to carry around in my car. Not bad for a little 1 lb unit.

Pretty impressed with this unit. I'll write up a review soon. Highly recommended if you need an easily portable 12V power source for CM testing or any other purpose.

 

[mainecrab]

Lucky that radar unit has smaller antennas. My Stalker KA ones are larger and little more hefty and harder to hide. Pics?

 

[Nine_C1]

The Golden Eagle (not Golden Eagle II) will accept either Ka or K-Band antennas. Just make sure that the connector matches the type of cable you have..........black plastic or (older) metal.

The Golden Eagle II uses DCM (Directional) Ka antennas and the brochure indicates it is also available in K-Band, but I have never seen a DCM K-Band antenna. Perhaps it would work with the older Eagle Antennas but I know the standard Eagle Ka antenna will not work on on the Golden Eagle II nor the other way around.

I have K-band antennas available for the Golden Eagle, if you're interested PM me.