Horizontal v Vertical

[barryswanson]

I have been testing my sti-r+ in the horizontal position for a little while now after having it mounted vertically for sometime, though I haven't had any enounters I did notice a few things.

When driving by falses the detector can clearly see both frequencies from the automatic doors nearly 100% of the time. It rarely did this verticaly mounted, it would only see in most occasions the door opener frequency facing the road. Although it would sometimes detect falses from greater distances. Probably due to the polarization of different automatic doors?

Another thing it has improved dramatically is the way Autoscan works. It seems to filter out a $hit load more falses! I haven't locked out one yet, I don't use Autolock.

But detecting the real thing is where it counts and as mentioned above I'm yet to encounter a real threat yet. The reason why I mounted it verticaly to begin with was to detect low powered horizontally polarized photo radar.

So yeah I just thought I would share some of the things I noticed with you guys considering the vertical option.

[johno_57]

I live in Western Australia. I have an STi Driver which, when mounted vertically, gives me more consistent alerts with Ka Multanova Speed cameras than if it were mounted horizontally. And yes, false alerts from shopping centre doors etc were less...but my real time encounters with mobile K band "seemed" poorer because of what I believe were, and other members of this forum pointed out to me, may be attributed to, was the "off axis" angle detection ability of the antenna, which is primarily designed for horizontal mounting. For me the decision was "What is the most likely way I am going to be stung??" I use a horizontal mount with my STi Driver, believing that occasionally I may fall short on Ka detection of a Multanova camera (one in twenty encounters), but i will never miss a k band mobile under normal operating circumstances for which the RD was designed.

[mikeecho]

A Radar Detectors antenna's has afield of view. It picks up signals coming from ahead and from the left and right. (off axis detection)
It doesn't have the same field of view up and down.
So when its mounted on the side (vertically) it doesnt see as much to the left and right, that will mean less alerts from door openers offf to your side,but will have an advantage to certain photo radar's that have polarized radar, ie Multanova's

Newer multanova's work on K band

[nine_c1]

A Radar Detectors antenna's has afield of view. It picks up signals coming from ahead and from the left and right. (off axis detection)
It doesn't have the same field of view up and down.
So when its mounted on the side (vertically) it doesnt see as much to the left and right, that will mean less alerts from door openers offf to your side,but will have an advantage to certain photo radar's that have polarized radar, ie Multanova's

Newer multanova's work on K band

It's a little more complicated than that.

Your correct in that the horn's lobe pattern is different in the Vertical plane as opposed to the horizontal, but it's the polarity of the horn that makes the bigger difference.

A wider horn actually has less gain in the side lobes and more on-axis sensitivity. So the STi-R or STi Driver should have monster off axis sensitivity when mounted vertically.............except for the fact that most door sensors are vertically polarized.

The most important factor then is that your RD be mounted to match the polarity of the transmitter. This will give you the best performance possible.

Off axis detection to a horizontally polarized radar is very different than the standard circularly polarized or vertically polarized radars we encounter. Power levels (in the horizontal plane) drop of drastically at the fringe of the beam as opposed to tapering off gradually with a normal mobile radar.

The beamwidth of a horizontally polaized radar spreads out better in the vertical plane. So, you'd get better off axis detection flying over in an airplane!

[mikeecho]

the photo radar vans we have here in ireland are Multanova C units, They have Horizontal K band radar, so a vertically mounted RD will work better (in theory, as i have yet to encounter one that ha been running radar)

[barryswanson]

After a few close calls my STi-R is going back to vertical. This difference it makes is freaken insane! I'm talking like 100m compared to 2000m. Ka doesn't seem any different.

[nine_c1]

After a few close calls my STi-R is going back to vertical. This difference it makes is freaken insane! I'm talking like 100m compared to 2000m. Ka doesn't seem any different.

Looks like the advice on that slip of paper shipped with your RD was good!

[barryswanson]

After a few close calls my STi-R is going back to vertical. This difference it makes is freaken insane! I'm talking like 100m compared to 2000m. Ka doesn't seem any different.

Looks like the advice on that slip of paper shipped with your RD was good!

It sure was! I could not get over the effect cross polarization has. Truely amazing. The only thing that worries me is the fact that there are a few Stalkers getting around. Not as many as Decutars but there are some.

[nine_c1]

After a few close calls my STi-R is going back to vertical. This difference it makes is freaken insane! I'm talking like 100m compared to 2000m. Ka doesn't seem any different.

Looks like the advice on that slip of paper shipped with your RD was good!

It sure was! I could not get over the effect cross polarization has. Truely amazing. The only thing that worries me is the fact that there are a few Stalkers getting around. Not as many as Decutars but there are some.

At least the standard moving radars like the Stalker and Decatur use circular polarization which are compatible regardless of how you mount your horn. Your off axis detection may suffer a bit but over the hill detection might even improve?

[CJR238]

Guess i wont be getting another Redline to run it vertically.