 Re: Q's about GOL 8/08 Radar Detector tests
GOL did preliminary testing of the 9500ci with some amazing sensitivity results. The pieces of this puzzle are finally falling together in my head, thanks to the clues of others in this forum.
Facts: F1) GOL used a Stalker ATR pointed up and away from the RDs, with nothing obvious to reflect. F2) Jimbonzzz pointed out that the ATR has linear polarization, rather than circular polarization like most other guns (including most other Ka Stalkers). F3) Per MEM-TEK, the 9500ci and STi-R use the same antenna as the STi. F4) Per Freebird, the STi works better in over-the-hill 34.7 Ka situations than the V1. F5) I believe that Michael B. has mentioned that the most recent Whistler antennas only lose about 10 dB for reverse polarization (if detector turned on its side versus a vertical polarized signal), and I've read elsewhere that typical horn antennas can lose 20-24 dB for such crossed polarization.
Analysis: Most of the detectable signal from the ATR was probably reflected by particulates in the air or atmosphere, and other point-like reflectors. I have just read that these types of reflections may invert the signal polarization (e.g., vertical to horizontal polarization). Here, inverted polarization would be quite similar to the effect of a LEO turning that particular gun 90 degrees on its side. Particularly since the STi/9500ci antenna horn has improved detection over hills, which is necessarily all reflected rather than direct, perhaps this antenna may be more elliptical polarized, rather than linear polarized like most other RD antennas.
Conclusion: In GOL's next tests, an attempt should be made to test the RDs against the linear polarized Stalker ATR, both with handle down (vertical polarized) and with handle sideways (horizontal polarized), as well as against a circular polarized gun (e.g., Stalker II or Stalker Dual). What do you think?
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Last edited by o2bad455; 09-08-2008 at 02:39 PM..
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I'd expect it to be slightly less sensitive than the V1. The radar detection of the 9500ix is no different than the 9500i which was tested last year by GOL. Here are those results:
