Radar Detectors put in to disrepute.
It seems that there is a problem with some radar
detectors causing interference with both commercial and military
communication systems.
Some of the lower cost radar detectors out there
are causing problems to Sky TV satellite systems. Complaints have
been logged with DTI and the Radio Technology and Compatibility
Group have done some tests to see if this is correct.
The Project called "Project 706 - Vehicle Mounted
Radar Detectors" reports on the problems with interference
from Radar Detectors. After completing some tests, such as driving
round a car park with a Radar Detector fitted in a car and a Sky
satellite system a building established that interference was
being caused by the Radar Detector. Further tests were then done
to see just how much emission's are being given out.
Full report here... Project706.pdf
They say in their report that the detectors they
tested gave off so much interference that they not only interfere
with Sky TV they have the possibility to interfere with police
radar systems.
This all adds up to bad news as far as I am concerned.
The DTI have been considering banning Radar Detectors and this
could be the ammo they have been looking for.
The company in question, name withheld, could
have well shot the industry in the foot by "not making any
attempt to limit the interference in their radar detectors",
as the Radio Technology and Compatibility Group have put it. The company in question say its a batch problem, I have units
from them a few years old and they also cause a problem so it
must have been a big batch.
I have been out and tested a few of the detectors I have using my portable power pack and my own Sky satellite system
and also found that I could interfere with Sky TV as well, I used
a few deferent brands of Radar Detectors and some were of the
same make but deferent models and it became very apparent that
the lower priced units caused a problem.
For legal reasons at this time I am not naming the
brands in question.
Regarding the law at the moment, and we are only
talking about Radar Detectors, not GPS Devices which are I am
told okay. If you knowingly use a device that causes interference
and continue to use it you could be liable to prosecution. This
is more likely if you have been told by a third party that you
are causing them problems.
If you are concerned then you can do several
things...
1, If you have Sky TV, take your radar detector
and point the face, detection end, at the dish and get someone
to flick through the channels, Sky One, UK Gold seem to get problems,
if they freeze then you have a problem.
2, Another tip is to ask the dealer, if they can not give you
an answer I suggest you hold back form buying a unit.
3, Ask the manufacturer advice, try to get it in writing, this
will help you should you have a problem at a later date.
Manufacture Comments:
Beltronics. Importer: Complementary Technologies
Ltd.
Dear Steven,
ANNOUNCEMENT - 23 SEPTEMBER 2002
RECENT PROJECT 706 REPORT
Having regard to recent comments re project 706 report by UK SpeedTrap
Guide, in particular about the possibility of Radar Detectors
causing interference to commercial and military communication
systems. I wish to confirm that the Beltronics Models are not
the devices subject of this report.