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

**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.

**jlo** · 02-08-2007, 07:18 AM

so would a tunng fork set off an rdd.

**jimbonzzz** · 02-08-2007, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by jlo

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?