UNDETECTABLE
Being "Undetectable" to specific brands of Radar Detector Detector (VG-2 Interceptor) is a feature that has been offered by Radar Detector manufacturers since the early 1990's. But was it true in all cases? This has long been one of the great "traps" for a potential Radar Detector buyer. It remains so today.

Until recently, one RDD (the Australian made "SMS" Spectre/Stalcar) had been able to detect all dash/visor mount type Radar Detectors. When a Radar Detector manufacturer introduced a new model with a slightly different LO (tuning frequency) that was not detected by the RDD, Stealth Micro Systems responded quickly. They simply expanded their detection "bandwidth" to cover the so-called "stealth" Radar Detector. The problem was obvious. Mass-market brands did not eliminate "leakage" at all frequencies. A better, permanent solution was required. This site (and only this site) predicted the emergence of advanced technology models that would not radiate detectable emissions — "at any frequency". Other Oz Radar sites criticized our statements or were silent about the "stealth solution" issue. We correctly predicted a truly "undetectable" radar detector as far back as 2002. In January 2006 the matter of who was right and who was wrong was settled in our favour.
UNDETECTABLE - Radar/Laser Detector
The new Beltronics STi with "TotalShield" Technology has rendered every RDD obsolete. That includes Spectre-3 and Stalcar-3 from Stealth Micro Systems. Will there be Mark 4 RDD versions? Hard to see how and why. What's the point? If a Radar Detector Detector cannot ever detect just one model of Radar Detector, surely the RDD device is obsolete? It has now been over 12 months since the Stalcar/Spectre RDD's were defeated. Still no response from Stealth Micro Systems. No support from their "cheer squad" (Pat 'n Roy) either. In other words, "game over"!
That old saying still stands, "those who laugh last laugh loudest". The guys at Beltronics must be falling over themselves laughing at the PATsy who thought he could defeat the world's best Radar Detector engineers. To that great radar scientist (?) Peter "Einstein" Taylor (CEO of SMS) and his merry band of microwave mavericks - "ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha".

How do we know that the "game" is really over this time? Easy - even the "tech support" group appears to have admitted defeat! Yes we have seen the proof. As has been said many times during the RDD Wars, "truth is stranger than fiction"!!!!!

War History - The winners get to write it!

Smash the Spectre (Stalcar and other RDD's too?)!!!

"A Bridge Too Far"!!! The RDD mob may have become a little too successful for their own good. Have they irritated too many radar boffin's? Looks like it. Lots of brilliant people are working on "various" solutions to the RDD menace. New, innovative radar detector models? Yes!!! Devices about to emerge that will make "some" existing radar detectors become "Super Stealth"? Yes!!! A Bridge Too Far? Therein lies a clue RDD warriors!!! The radar war is almost over - and only one side can be the winner. Watch and learn!!! A Bridge Too Far??? What's next - a War Crimes Tribunal?

Archival material proves our predictions

The Radar Wars Rage in North America

The battle between Radar Detector Manufacturers and the "enforcement industrial complex" is starting to go in favour of the good guys. Several new detector models have overcome the "POP" mode (fast burst) radars - an achievement that was predicted years ago. Next on the agenda is the RDD threat. It is certain to be neutralised by some (not necessarily all) manufacturers.

We're not employed by either side and therefore entitled to speculate on the final outcomes. Certain "fifth-columnists" in the radar-biz would like to silence independent "war-correspondents" with vague threats of dire consequences. These super-touchy, "radar-crybabies" appear to be deeply offended by unbiased, legitimate commentary. Our advice is to hold back the tears until there is something to really "howl" about!!! Be cautious - "Those who win the first battle do not always win the war". Some don't seem to know which side they are on - or do they? It's not always possible to strike and run (and hide). The power of a sub (poena) is a wondrous thing to behold!!!

The latest battleground is the "lone-star" state of Texas. The place has gone mad over RDD's - in particular the Spectre (Stalcar in Australia). At the moment, the Texas HP is only after detectors in 18 wheelers, under existing Federal laws. However, that will be more than enough stimulus for Radar Detector manufacturers to speed their efforts to mount a "counter strike" to the new RDD threats.

June 2004 - Spectre "stumbles"? SpeedZones Annual Test in Texas
Aussie Spectre RDD now "blind" to some Radar Detectors? Why is it so?

April 2004 - Spectre "stumped" in Texas (RDD roulette)
How do you tell the difference between a "legal" radar detector and an "illegal" radar detector? You can't!!! The Spectre RDD can't either!!!!!

December 2003 - Texas USA
Does Texas know that "all" RDD's will be unable to detect at least one new Radar / Laser Detector design that will be released this year? Who would warn them? Don't shoot the messenger - I'm just a journalist!!!

June 2003: SpeedZones Annual Test in Texas
World renowned, independent, radar specialist Carl Fors (CEO of Speed Measurement Laboratories) has let the cat out of the bag on the Spectre RDD's "detect-ability" ("Cobra models saw and reported Spectre II - - -")

RDD's are a concern in parts of Australia and Canada. Only one state in the USA (Virginia) bans Radar Detectors in "all" vehicles. However, they are restricted in commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds in all states. This explains the move by Texas to equip the Highway Patrol with large number of RDD's. Some RDD "supporters" say that the major detector manufacturers will not bother producing new models that are "undetectable" to the Spectre RDD. Wishful thinking? The strengths and weaknesses of the SMS - Spectre / Stalcar and other RDD's are now known. The giants have been stirred to play "hardball". The big "crunch" is coming. Ouch!!! The little nuisances will soon be rendered "impotent". There will be no "viagra" solution.

The RDD mob (all of them) are highly secretive about their designs. They hope to delay the Radar Detector manufacturers (good guys) from producing solutions to the RDD nuisance. This diagram show potential frequency schemes used by Radar Detector and RDD designers. The RDD crowd are likely be unhappy with these revelations. Don't complain (*)ad guys. Just send any updates you can specify and they will be published for all the world to see.

What they don't want you to know - CLICK once on the image
There are the three methods of achieving "electronic stealth" (undetectability) in Radar Detectors. One can result in a "cat-and-mouse" game between Detector and RDD designers. Another provides an extra "alert" benefit. The best technology solution ends the RDD nuisance forever. However at this point in time, "no" detector is completely undetectable to the Stalcar / Spectre RDD. Beware of exaggerated, confusing claims from obscure detector brands. The marketers of one so-called "electronic-stealth" detector are telling buyers to turn off the unit when enforcers get close. Stealth technology or no stealth technology? Perhaps more confusion from the "champs" of hypocrisy?
Frequency (LO) Shifting
Virtually all Radar Detector designs from the late seventies to about 1991 used a tuning frequency (local oscillator) of 11.558 GHz. This unintended "leakage" was targeted by the first Radar Detector Detector, the VG-2 Interceptor from Canada. It scanned a single band between 11.4 GHz and 11.6 GHz. Radar Detector engineers responded by designing units with "LO's" outside this area. Some models also featured shielding and filtering to minimise the low-level emissions radiated by superheterodyne microwave receivers. Unfortunately for the VG-2 manufacturer (Techsonic Industries), its RDD design could not be modified to detect a wider bandwidth without incurring an excessive false alarm rate. The VG-2 had been beaten by "frequency shifting". The Stalcar / Spectre RDD's scan two bands. Apparently, they could be widened. The trade off would be more false alerts? A third band might be added using "harmonic" detection techniques? Even more false alerts? It is said that the MD-3 is worse than the Spectre in this regard. Radar Detector manufacturers are bound to use "LO" frequencies not presently covered by SMS and HCR. The responses from the RDD mob will mean wider scanning "windows". Therefore, future RDD versions are likely to feature more annoying, confusing false alerts - not less. As the RDD mob chase "frequency-shifting", can the enforcers look forward to devices that are more or less reliable in their alerts? Who will win in the "detector wars" — makers of Radar Detectors or RDD's? Look at the technical and financial resources on both sides. Beltronics, Escort and Valentine against the RDD mob. Place your bets!!!
Detect, Alert and Cloak
The coming new generation of "intelligent" Radar Detectors (with DSP) are expected to be smart enough to make the Stalcar / Spectre / MD-3 look "dumb". By detecting the RDD "LO", a "cloaking" mode is invoked. The oscillator/s are switched off or move to a different frequency until the threat has passed. An audio-visual alert warns that an RDD surveillance device is in the area. The bonus with this detect and hide approach is obvious. Many RDD equipped "HP" cars also feature instant-on Radar. There is a tip-off that a speed reading is about to occur. Then, the RDD will have reduced the element of surprise. One step forward and two steps back for the enforcers!!!
CLOSED Technology - Totally Undetectable
This is what is designated a "Contained Local Oscillator Spurious Emissions Design". You heard the name (CLOSED) here first! With no RF (radio frequency) emissions to detect, "no" RDD will be able to find this type of Radar Detector — ever!!! Game, set and match! Checkmate! By definition, this would be end of the line for the MK3 Stalcar / MK3 Spectre / MD-3 and any other potential RDD's!!! In that instance, governments all over the world (expecting upgrades to detect "every" Radar Detector on the road) will have done their dough? If we were them, we'd want it back? Anyone for a MK4, MK5, MK6? How about an MD-7? We've yet to hear of any company claiming to have an RDD that will detect "any and every" Radar Detector design that could be manufactured. If such a device exists or is feasible, no manufacturer is yet touting it. What will happen next? Who will be laughing — and who will be crying?

The RDD menace is defeated. Beltronics (BEL) has kicked Stealth Micro Systems rear-end.

Our prediction (and warning to the RDD "crew") has come true - literally!!!

" ... never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee ..." (John Donne)