For the electronics geeks (jimbonzzz, mem-tek, etc.)... DIY a RD?

[kpatz]

When I was IMing with another member we came up with the idea that some of us who are handy with electronics could perhaps design and build our own radar detector.

I know designing electronics for microwave frequencies can be tricky, so maybe an initial attempt we could scavenge a horn/LNA/LO/mixer/IF circuit from an existing RD, and then create our own firmware for it.

By doing so, we could tweak the RD with our own filtering algorithms, have it tweaked for certain Ka bands such as the dreaded 35.5. Or even create an unfiltered detector that alerts to every blip of radar (the ultimate highway warrior). Put two horns together to make our own "V1 clone", or use separate horns for each band, the sky's the limit...

I know if we were to make an RD to sell, we would have to deal with patents, FCC approval, etc., but for a one-off hobbyist project I could see it being feasible.

Thoughts?

P.S. Another idea would be to create new firmware for an existing RD, to add features, change the filtering used, etc.

[thx1138]

Sounds great. I think designing from scratch would be daunting.
Maybe a simpler approach would be to try different antenna designs on a known radar detector. If someone has the design tools and know how, I'd like to learn.

Maybe with the right horn(s) and a larger physical size, some blistering Ka performance could be achieved.

[kpatz]

Hmmm, maybe something like the external horn option offered for the Spectre. External horns that can be affixed to your RD.

But, my idea is more along the lines of something where we can develop/tweak the firmware on it. Thus, providing all the features we would want, such as selectable filtering that doesn't affect QT response time, frequency display (spec mode), filtering of filterable false sources such as Crapras and pulsed drones, adaptive cruise controls, etc.

[radarrob]

[zerbey]

Sounds like fun, but the tricky part is more likely to be the software than the hardware aspect. Radar Detectors are merely highly tuned superheterodyne receivers with a laser sensor bolted on after all.

I look forward to seeing pictures and video

[<<JAZZY>>]

I can see the new quad horned GOL special now.

[nyjason13]

In 4 years I'll have a college degree in this kind of stuff.

[OPTiK]

I was actually thinking about how i would go about extracting/modifying the firmware on my v1 yesterday, but then i thought it would be too much work lol. Software programming, especially firmware, is pretty intense. That would be cool if you guys got this idea off the ground though, or even worked on some firmware mods. Isn't there a guy on ebay that mods v1 firmwares?

[thestaton]

I don't think you'll get very far reverse engineering the valentine or belscorts. Plus this forum knows Belscort is really touchy about even mentioning it. The idea is noble, but make sure everything about it stays yours. From what I can tell they like their patents, and are terrified of this forum.

So, just make it your own is what I'm saying.

[v1user]

I was actually thinking about how i would go about extracting/modifying the firmware on my v1 yesterday, but then i thought it would be too much work lol. Software programming, especially firmware, is pretty intense. That would be cool if you guys got this idea off the ground though, or even worked on some firmware mods. Isn't there a guy on ebay that mods v1 firmwares?

I guess you haven't heard.