View Full Version : How do tuning forks work?
asianfire
02-05-2007, 05:30 PM
How does a sound frequency set off the radar?
jimbonzzz
02-05-2007, 05:50 PM
The tuning fork vibrates at a known frequency that corresponds to the doppler shift for a specific speed, thereby "modulating" the reflected signal which is received by the mixer diode in the radar unit, which is then converted into pulsing DC and then processed and converted to a speed reading by the logic circuits. This is a different process than the "mixing" that occurs when a normal radar target is present.
Jim
proudNMAmember
02-05-2007, 07:11 PM
Nice explanation jim. Thx :D
ELVATO
02-05-2007, 10:02 PM
So is it the actual noise, or is it the tuning fork's vibration that sets off the speed?
jimbonzzz
02-05-2007, 10:37 PM
The vibration.
noorudeenshakur
02-06-2007, 03:48 AM
Wow man, I love listening to the professor speak. Thanks for the info....again lol ;)
asianfire
02-06-2007, 04:54 AM
Yeah, me too. Thanks a bunch Jim.
so would a tunng fork set off an rdd.
jimbonzzz
02-08-2007, 07:21 AM
so would a tunng fork set off an rdd.
No, it doesn't transmit any RF.
kpatz
02-08-2007, 02:27 PM
Like Jimbonzzz said, the vibrating fork reflects the radar signal back into the gun, and the vibration creates a noise that is picked up similar to a doppler shift, which results in a speed reading (hopefully this is a little more plain-English than Jim's explanation)...
OT, but speaking of transmitting RF... is the baby in your avatar licensed to operate that radar gun? :)
jimbonzzz
02-08-2007, 02:41 PM
OT, but speaking of transmitting RF... is the baby in your avatar licensed to operate that radar gun? :)
He doesn't need one, since the MPH Speedgun is Part 15 :D