Weird Ka Encounter... Is Something Wrong With My X50!?

[EaterofWorlds]

Okay, I live in Eastern Central NJ, about a half hour from the shore.

Today, on my way home on Rt. 70, I get a single bar weak Ka Alert that goes off for about 5 seconds. Then I pass by a cop hiding out in a typical speed trap in my area. My question is, if he was shooting Ka, why wasn't my X50 going off like mad?? Is it possible that he had his radar gun on and that he didn't pull the trigger or something?? Like his gun emits a weak Ka signal even when he isn't pulling the trigger? I don't get it. I'm really leaning towards something may not be right with my X50. What do you guys think?

Now, keep in mind I am very inexperienced with Ka Alerts. In the three months since I've owned the detector, I haven't gotten one verifiable Ka Alert until today. I don't know if that's because NJ uses X Band more than Ka or what.

Another thing - I have had consistent falses from weak motion detectors in my area as well as plenty of verifiable X Band and K Band encounters. But lately, when I pass by certain areas that false, the signal does not ramp up like normal. The X50 will stay silent until I am on top of the area, and then it will let loose with a 4 or 5 bar alert when that area usually only gets to 2 or 3 bars. This seems to happen once every three encounters. Strange, huh? Could it be the heat? It has been very hot lately, and although I don't keep the X50 is direct sunlight for longer than I have to, I do make long trips where it's mounted for 1.5 - 2.5 hours at a time.

Sorry if these are stupid questions... I'm still a novice when it comes to RDs.

[kpatz]

The cop was most likely shooting in instant-on mode, so there is nothing to detect except when the cop pulls the trigger. If he's being selective as to when he pulls the trigger, it's possible you'd only get a weak alert or no alert at all, unless you were targeted.

As for the X50, if it goes out of tune it will display Self Cal or Service Required or something similar. So I doubt anything is wrong with your X50.

How long have you had your X50?

[brick]

I think kpatz has it. He was probably triggering the radar manually. The strength of the signal that the X50 receives from any source depends not only on the range but also on what direction that source is pointing and what is between it and your detector. For example, you could get a very low signal strength if the officer was clocking traffic in the other direction, clocking people around a corner, clocking people over a hill, through trees, etc. The ability to detect those weaker signals is what separates the best radar detectors from those on the lower end of the spectrum.

[crazyVOLVOrob]

In my trips to and from school i usually get a single bar alert then detector goes silent then i get another single bar alert if i haven't passed the cop already...when i'm right by the cop and a car near me is targeted i get a full alert

[CLTX11]

What mode are you running Auto Scan? If so that is why the usual falses are being kicked aside

[N3T_K1LLA]

What way was this cop in relation to you? Was he sitting on the side of the shoulder? In the center divider?

Depending on where he was angled could mean how your x50 is going to react. I know a motorcycle cop that when he angles his cycle just right, it creates a very small detection area.

[X50 Radar Kid]

Just yesterday I was driving on the interstate and I saw a policeman had a truck pulled over on the other side. It was until we were almost side by side that I got a weak Ka alert from my X50.....so certain Ka radar units must have a standby mode that allows them to just be on or warmed up.....then when the officer wants to trigger it. I have ran into this situation a couple times.

[brick]

Any idea what make/model of Ka band radar is used by IN state police?

[X50 Radar Kid]

75% of Police radar in Indiana is from MPH Industries (33.8) but the 25% is from some Stalker units. (34.7). But no Kustom radar that I am aware of is here...