X band in NJ - is K-55 low powered?

[kpatz]

I'm in NJ right now for the weekend, and on the trip I encountered two NJ staties with their X band radar on continuous. I had my V1 in A mode, and even when passing the cruiser which was on the side of the road, I only got about 4-5 LEDs out of 8 for signal strength. I would have expected X band to max out on the V1, especially in A mode.

This happened with two separate LEOs. Both were running constant on; one was headed northbound while I was southbound, with a jersey barrier between us (so that could have blocked the signal some), but the 2nd one was southbound, with a victim pulled over, and even that one didn't alert more than 5 LEDs or so on the V1.

I get stronger alerts from door openers. Are the NJ X guns (MPH K-55 I believe) low powered? Or do they tend to aim them funny to minimize detection?

[EastGermanOlympicJudge]

You can fry bacon with the K-55, especially the X version. Probably best to consider the other factors you mentioned, like the barrier or the aim of the emitter.

I've been hit with instant-on X-band twice in the last month by NJSP. When you're being clocked, you'll know it! The signal will be off the scale.

[kpatz]

Thanks for the info. Maybe the LEOs I encountered put their coffee cups in front of the transmitters to keep them warm...

Does anyone know if NJSP has any X guns other than the K-55?

[GTO_04]

If they were running constant on X band, it should peg the display and audio alerts on your V1. It looks to me like your X band is malfunctioning. I would send it in to get checked. I did have X band go out on mine. They fixed it when I got the POP2 upgrade.

Other X band guns like the Decatur MV-715 and Kustom MR-7 were much more powerful than the K-55 but it is not very likely you encountered them. The K-55 was/is much more popular and NJSP loves their K-55s.

GTO_04

[kpatz]

I doubt my X band is malfunctioning... I had the V1 tuned up last fall because K fell out of tune. Also, coming home the V1 was lighting up 8-9 X bogeys at a time while going over the George Washington Bridge, and on one highway I was on in CT there must have been drones because X kept going off.

Back home, if I have X on, the traffic light sensors peg the thing like nobody's business. I don't think my X is malfunctioning. Maybe the X hits I got didn't come from the LEOs I saw, but the arrows would seem to indicate otherwise. I've heard other people report "low powered X" from NJSP as well.

[GTO_04]

I've heard other people report "low powered X" from NJSP as well.

Well, the K-55 is low powered compared to other X band police radars. It is possible the K55s were malfunctioning and not putting out full power. The K-55, notorious for clocking trees at 85 MPH, wouldn't malfunction, would it? :shock: :wink:

GTO_04

[GET 1T DONE]

The NJSP X-band guns light up my Whistler like a christmas tree. If they're running constant-on, you'll know it! Either your detector is faulty or you found a couple cars w/unusually low powered guns.

[yemntftb]

Because the K-55 only has one antenna, a forward facing, dash mounted radar piece, it would be harder to detect when approaching the leo from behind.

If the LEO had a car pulled over in front of it, this would also block the signal making it harder to detect, and thus making the k-55 seemed "low" powered...

[KaPro]

Those guys are also good at aiming their antennas slightly off axis. This also contibutes to "lower" signal strength.

[yemntftb]

Yeah, NJSP love to sit on the on-ramps, and shoot across/forward the highway targeting the back/side of cars...

Even with K-band if they are off the highway enough I usually can't detect this tactic until im a few seconds behind the officer...

Its tough