S Band detector?

[justin81]

I know this is totally obsolete and then some, but I was wondering if, once upon a time, there was ever such a thing as an S band radar detector?

[proudNMAmember]

Yes there was but we are talking Pre 1960's, probably more like the 1950's. Jimbonzz might be able to chime in some more on this topic. Big and bulky looking S band radar guns but still cool.

[Lucky225]

LOL, yea, in the 50s it was probably like 'NEW 2 BAND DETECTOR S/C!!'

[Hunter]

never thought they had RD's in the 50's??

[jimbonzzz]

Here's an S-Band detector.



Yeah for some reason, a lot of people think the first detector was the Fuzzbuster, which came out in 1968. But the Radar Sentrys were around at least as early as 1961, and possibly before that.

[JDS]

Jesus christ does that thing use vacuum tubes?

[Gothenburg]

Many radio towers produce(d) S band. The radar guns used by police were large and cumbersome compared to todays units.

Back in the day:
The Radar Detector Museum

The HUGE things that produce S band:




etc...

Some words on S band: (Oh and JDS, you are actually right on the money!)

S Band Radar (obsolete)
A connecticut firm (Automatic Signal Co.) built one of the first traffic radars in 1947 for the state police. Early radars were bulky and heavy systems (vacuum-tube technology) that usually consisted of three or more separate pieces of equipment, an antenna (sometimes 2 antennas -- separate transmit and receive), a 45 pound (20 kg) box (the tube transmitter, receiver and processor), a strip chart pen recorder for a permanent record, and a needle meter calibrated in mph. Sometimes the antennas mounted on a tripod and sometimes on the hood or fender of a patrol car. Some of the early 1960s' models mounted the antennas in the back windshield of the patrol car. The first traffic radars transmitted at 2.455 GHz in the S band (2 - 4 GHz). Note that many microwave ovens transmit at about 2.45 GHz, and low power unlicensed wireless communications transmit from 2.400 - 2.4835 GHz. S band radar antenna beamwidths varied from 15 to 20 degrees depending on model. These radars operated from a stationary position only and measured receding as well as approaching targets to an accuracy of about ± 2 mph. The maximum detection range was an unimpressive 150 to 500 feet (45 to 150 meters); vacuum-tube receivers do not have the sensitivity of solid-state receivers. A radar with a 150 foot detection range would have less than 1.5 seconds to measure a target traveling 68 mph (100 feet/second or 109 kmh). S band radars are obsolete.

[proudNMAmember]

Jim, thx for posting that pic. Looks like another cool relic!

[Hunter]

interesting..
Thank god we don't have to carry some of that stuff in our cars for detection...

[olephart]

I think they started using detectors in the late 40's. The Gubment let me scoot around in the 60's in one of their airplanes that had S/C & X band detection. It wasn't new equipment at the time.

The S & C bands was for SAM (SA-2) detection and X was airborne fire control. They upgraded to replace the X band with a multi band that covered a lot of bands to include radar controlled artillery, recent SAMs and more airborne systems.

It had a round display about 3" in diameter. Had 3 rings like a radar scope for signal intensity and produced a strobe that indicated the direction of the threat. I think it used 4 antennae for the directional stuff.

Later models did away with the strobe and placed a symbol representing the actual threat in the proper location to represent signal strength. This has been going on a long time.