What's the difference between radar bands?

[kempobmx1]

Let me start by saying I searched for an hour and couldn't find the answer to my question. If you know of a link that could inform me by all means please post it.

On to the question. I'm new to RDs and I just don't understand what the difference is in the function of X, K, and Ka bands. I understand that X is nearly unused at this point but should I be more concerned about a K or Ka hit or does it not matter? I understand that different bands work on different frequencies but what I want to know if what effect that has on how a band picks up your speed.

If they all pick things up the same way what would the point be in even differentiating between hits from different bands?

[steve f]

From my experience, Ka is almost always a Cop. You can get Ka false alerts from other detectors, but on my Whistler 695 with POP detection shut off almost 100% of the alerts on Ka are from a radar gun. With K band, in town I get some false alerts from door openers or whatever, out in the country a K alert is usually a cop. I like having info on the different bands because where I live an intown K alert is likely false since the local cops seem to use either lasers or Ka band.

[KnightHawk]

I understand that X is nearly unused at this point but should I be more concerned about a K or Ka hit or does it not matter?

You have have to be concerned with all of the bands. The problem is identifying it as a real threat or not. You will have falsing on all 3 bands with less falsing on Ka band. The higher the frequency, the narrower the beam - X band is 10.5 mhz, K band at 24.150 and ka band at 33.8 to 35.5. Most Ka band alerts are usually a threat but still get falses. So you have to watch your strength meter and audio alerts. Also know your local LEO frequency. A lot of auto door operns operate in K band and have to know where these locations are. Just because you get a false K band alert on those auto door openers does not mean there is no LEO operating around. A radar detector is just a tool and is not immuned to citations. You have to be alert mentally, visually and drive defensively.

I understand that different bands work on different frequencies but what I want to know if what effect that has on how a band picks up your speed

No difference. Only thing is that you will pick up X band from a farther distance, followed by K band and Ka band because of the wider beam pattern of X band.

If they all pick things up the same way what would the point be in even differentiating between hits from different bands?

Depending on your radar detector, the Bel/Escort has a prioritizing alert. If you set your Bel/Escort in expert mode and threat mode, it will give you individual strength meter for each band so you know which one is stronger. If you have the V1, all bands will lit up and the stonger alert will blink as well as blinking arrows indicating direction of threat.

[Nuke]

As Azonehits mentioned, it's best to know what the local LEO's aare using in the areas that you travel. Most places that I travel use laser, Ka and K but I have seen a few rare instances where a LEO was running X.

[jdong]

As others have said, an important part of getting a detector is learning how to interpret it. During the first few weeks with your detector, I seriously do not recommend shutting off any bands. Drive around and get to understand what police in your area tend to use. Only then if you decide a particular band is extremely rare but causes a lot of falsing, turn it off. Of course, when going into a new unfamiliar area, make sure to turn on all your bands again.


As a general rule of thumb, Ka band is the most commonly used police radar band and also the band with the fewest sources of false alerts. The most common falses for Ka band is from nearby radar detectors, so keep your distance from anyone you suspect to be running a radar detector.


K-band is still a live and kicking band with modern guns still manufacturered using K-band. However, it is also the most common band for automatic door openers, security alarm systems, and annoying YOUR SPEED IS: signs and other highway radar drones. Judging a K-band cop from a false is going to be a tricky skill you'll need to acquire through practice.

X-band generally is rarely used but with exceptions in particular areas of the country. Ohio is a notable example -- every time I pass through Ohio I've been blasted at least 5 times with deadly instant-on X-band. Their highway cops sure know how to use their radar effectively! In addition, you'll still find some jurisdictions with old X-band equipment that could very well be put into service. X-band is also used for automatic door openers, so it's a common false source too.

[hockey005]

In mass the bands of K and Ka are used by state troopers as well as laser guns, the lti ultralyte and laser atlanta, locals also use K and Ka and Laser

[bart99gt]

X band has fallen out of favor due to the relative size of the equipment compared to K and particularly Ka band radar. I don't buy the whole "the PD dusts off an X band gun every once in a while to catch someone who turned X band off on their detector" story. If a PD runs X band, it is because they still pay the money to maintain it and it gets used on a daily basis. Your average officer probably has no idea what band radar they run unless they looked in the manual.

It has also become increasingly rare because only one manufacturer, MPH, that continues to offer new X band equipment.

[justin81]

It has also become increasingly rare because only one manufacturer, MPH, that continues to offer new X band equipment.

MPH...I wonder if we'll ever see X band POP.

[hockey005]

MPH...I wonder if we'll ever see X band POP.

uh no

[jdong]

MPH...I wonder if we'll ever see X band POP.

Wouldn't be impossible, though if the idea is to escape detection, Ka-band POP at 50ms instead of 67ms is probably going to work better. Let's make radar guns leak like Cobras!