Beltronics BEL990 International User manual

BEL 990 International
RADAR •LASER •SAFETY DETECTOR
Operating instructions for model 990
DIGITAL PLL SYNTHESIZED OSCILLATOR
TM
International Frequency
Radar/Laser/Safety Detector

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introduction
Thank you for purchasing a bel990International Radar/Laser/
Safetydetectorwith theAdvanced Protection System™and
Shadow Technology®II.bel990International detects 10
International Radar frequencies,making it the choice for those
looking for protection wherever they travel.
Remember,owningaRadardetectordoes not giveyoualicenseto
speed.Alerts fromaRadardetectorserveasaneffectivereminderto
checkyourspeed.Lawsvary throughouttheworldgoverningtheuse
of aRadardetector.Itisyourresponsibilityto followtheselaws.
software upgradable – an industry first
bel 990Internationalcontainstechnology whichprovides the
highestcapabilitytobereprogrammedasthethreat of new Police
trafficRadarmonitoringtechnologiesemerge.Pleaseensure that
you promptlysendinyourConsumerInformation card.Thiswill
ensureyouarenotifiedaboutnew,approvedtrafficmonitoring
technologiesandyouwillbe provideddetailsof service cost and
wheretosendyourunitforsoftware upgrade.
shadow technology® ii
bel990International containsShadow Technology®II makingit
undetectable totheInterceptorvg-2or any otherRadarDetector
Detector(rdd).OnlyShadowTechnology®hasbeen consistently
proven undetectabletothevg-2.
selectable features
Thesefeatures maybe selecteddependinguponyourdriving
environment.(See page 11 for the operation of Selectable Features.)
n10InternationalFrequencies
nX/K/Ka Bandon or off(NorthAmerican Modeonly)
nAuto-Mute on oroff
nSuperWidebandKa/NarrowBandKa(TravelModeonly)
nRadar/Laser DigitalVoicePromptsor“beeps”
nSafetyWarningSystem®on oroff(NorthAmerican Modeonly)
nSafetyWarningSystem®withDigitalVoiceon oroff
(NorthAmericanModeonly)
nAudio/Visual Scroll Rate (fast orslow)

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table of contents
Profile of Features l page4
Description of Features
l page5
Power-UpTestSequence/Start-Up Mode l page5
TutorialMode l page6
Set andForgetMemory l page6
ResettoFactorySettings
l page7
VoltageWarning
l page7
drk(Bright/Dim/Dark)Button
l page7
aud(Audio-Mute/VolumeControl)Button l page7
cty(City/Highway)Button
l page8
International Frequencies
l page9
What areInternational Frequencies?
l page9
Travel Mode/NorthAmericanMode l page9
Selectable Features
l page11
EnteringSelectableFeaturesMode l page13
Installation
l page14
GeneralGuidelines l page14
Understanding Radar,Laser and sws™
l page16
Interpretation of Alerts
l page18
RadarAlerts l page18
Instant-On/PulsedRadarAlert l page20
TypicalFalseAlert (Radar) l page20
LaserAlerts l page21
SafetyWarningSystem®(sws™)Alerts l page21
PerformanceVerification
l page
ConditionsThatAffectRadarAlerts l page
ConditionsThatAffectLaserAlerts l page23
Troubleshooting
l page24
ConsumerWarranty
l page25
Service
l page26
WarrantyService l page26
Post-Warranty Service l page26
Specifications
l page27
Accessories
l page31

profile of features
1. pwr (Power/Start-Up Mode) Button: pressingpwrbriefly
willturntheuniton.Pressingandholdingthepwrbuttona
secondtimewill scroll throughthethreeStart-Up mode
options:NORMAL,MODS (Modificaitons),Q-START (Quick
Start) plusTUTORIAL MODE.
2Text Message Display: communicates allmodeselections
(i.e.DIM,DARK,CITY andHIGHWAY) andconfirmsRadar
bandandsignal strength,presenceof Laserandsws™
messagesreceived.
3. drk (Bright/Dim/Dark) Button: providesbright,darkand
fullyadjustabledimsettingsof theTextDisplayfordiscreet
nighttravel.Audioalertsarenotaffected.
4. aud (Audio Mute/Volume Control) Button: providesmanual
mutingof allRadarandsws™alerts.Pressing andholdingthe
audbutton will changetheaudiolevel.
5. cty (City/Highway) Button: choose between Highway mode,
or for urban/suburbantravel,City X orCityAllmodes.
6. Antenna Opening: Radarandsws™signalsare receivedby
apatenteddiecastantennawithintegratedtransitionto
microstripmixer.
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PWR DRK AUD CTY
International
K a 9
Advanced Protection System
with Shadow Technology II
BEL 990
7
24
1
9
6
35
8

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7. Laser Optical Sensors: collectLasersignalsfrominfront
andbehind.
8. AudioAlert Speaker:all audiblealerts andDigitalVoice
Messagesare emitted fromthis location.
9. Power Jack: usingthestraightorcoiled cord,
bel990Internationaloperatesinanyvehiclewitha13.8volt
dcnegative groundsystem(10.5voltto16voltrange).
description of features
Power-Up Test Sequence/Start-Up Mode
Eachtimeyourdetectoristurnedon,bel990International
willperformapower-uptestsequencebasedupontheStart-Up
modeselectedandconfirmwhichmodetheunitisoperating:
TravelorNAmerica.TherearethreeStart-Upmodesof
operationplusaTutorialmode.Releasethepwr buttonatyour
chosenselection.bel990Internationalisfactorypre-setto
operateinTravel mode.
Note—PressingpwratanytimeduringStart-Uptestwill
bypassthesequence.
NORMAL (Factory pre-setMode)
PresentsAudioandTextMessagesforLaser,Ka,K,Xandthe
statusof SelectableFeatures:
“CITY X orCITY ALL”; “X 9.410”; “X 9.900”; “Ku 13.45”;
“K24.125”; “K24.150”; “Ka Narrow”; “34.00”; “34.30”;
“34.70”; “ Amute o n /o f f ”; “R/L vo ice o n /o f f ”;
“SCRLs low/fast”.
Unitisnowready for operation.
MODS (ModificationsMode)
PresentschangesmadetoSelectable Featuresthatdiffer from
factory defaultsetting.

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Q-START (Quick-Start Mode)
Unitwill bypassanyform of apower-uptestsequencewhen
turned onandwill display CITY orHIGHWAY depending
uponthemoderetainedin memory.Unitis readyfor
operation.
TUTORIAL MODE
Thetutorial modeallowsyoutobecomemore familiar with
all audibleandvisualalerts.To engage thismode,press and
holdpwr button andreleaseon“TUTORIAL”.Themessage
“TUTORIAL”appears in thedisplayfollowedbythe audio
andcorrespondingText Messagefor“LASER”, “Ka AUDIO”,
“K AUDIO”, “X AUDIO”,sampleRadaralert (K bandsignal
rampingfromweaktostrong)and“SAFETY WARNING
SYSTEM SAMPLE ALERTS”.Three randomsamplesws™
messagesarethenpresentedinthedisplayalongwiththe
correspondingDigitalVoiceMessage.
Whilesamplemessagesare playingyoucan accessthe
complete listof sws™messagesbypressingthectybuttonto
moveforwardin thelist.“MSG #”willappearinthedisplay
confirmingyour selection(tomovebackward in thelist,
pressthedrkbutton).Pressing the audbuttonallowsyou to
listentothesws™messagewhileviewingitin thedisplay.
Pressthecty buttonagaintosteptothenextmessage;press
theaudbuttontoreview,andso on.Thisallowsyou to
reviewall60messages.
To exitTutorialMode,pressthepwrbutton andyourunit
willbeon andready toreceive signals.
Set and Forget Memory
Anytimebel990Internationalisturnedoff orunplugged
fromthecigarettelightersocket,allfeaturesettingsyouhave
selectedareretainedin theunit’smemoryforbothTravel
modeandNAmerica mode.Set andForgetMemory
eliminates theneed toresetyour preferredfeaturesettings
eachtimeyour unitisturned off andthenbackon.

Reset to Factory Settings
YoucanresetyourunittofactorysettingsforStart-Upmode,
volume,drk,aud,cty,aswellasyoursettingsforTraveland
NAmerica modesandSelectableFeatures.Toreset,pressand
holdthectybuttonuntilthedisplayshows“RESET”and
releasethebutton.Two“beeps”willsoundandyourunitwillbe
on andreadyforoperationinTravel mode.
VoltageWarning
BEL990Internationalcontinuallychecksyourvechicle’svoltage
toensureproperperformanceof thedetector.Theunit’s
operatingrangeis10.5to16.0volts.If voltageisabove16.0,the
displaywillflash“HI VOLT”untilconditionisrectified.If voltage
fallsbelow10.5volts,displaywillflash“LOW VOLT”until
conditionisrectified.
drk (Bright/Dim/Dark) Button
Thedrkbuttonallowsselectionof abright,fullyadjustable
dimmodeordarkmode.Theunitis factorypresettofull
brightdisplay.Toengagedim mode,pressandholdthedrk
button.Thedisplaywillcyclethrough variouslevelsof dim
illumination.Releasethebuttonatyourchosenlevel.To
engagedarkmode,pressthedrkbutton a second time.A
single“beep”coupledwiththebrief illuminationof“DARK”
on the displayconfirmsyourselection.You’llnotice an“H”
(Highwaymode),“C”(City mode)or “CA”(CityAll mode)
remainsdimtoconfirmyourunitisreceivingpower.To
return toafullbrightsetting,pressthe drkbuttonathird
time;two“beeps”confirmthisselection.Useof thedrkbutton
doesnot affectaudioalerts.
Important—if you pressthethedrkbuttonanddonotreceive
audibleconfirmation,theaudio level has beensettoolow.
aud (Audio-Mute/Volume Control) Button
ManualMutingof AudioAlerts(Radarand sws™)
WhetherAudio-Muteisselectedon oroffinSelectable
Features the audioalertscanbe completelymutedby


pressingtheaud button duringan alert.Thedisplay will
briefly show“Quiet.”No audiblealertwill behearduntilthe
audbuttonis pressedagain.
Note—becauseLaseralertsarenotlengthyorsustained,muting
isnotrequired(seepage)
VolumeControl
Pressandholdtheaudbuttontoengagethevolumecontrol.
TheAudiolevelhas9 settings.Releasetheaudbutton when
you have reachedyourdesiredaudiosetting.
cty (City/Highway) Button
Thecty modehasbeen designedtoeffectivelyreduce
unwantedaudioalerts causedbyintrusion alarms,door
openers,andotherdeviceswhichshare X bandwithpolice
Radar—withoutreducingsensitivity.Signalsfromnon-police
Radarsourcesarefrequentlyencounteredinurbanand
suburbanareas,makinguseof thismodeidealin theseareas.
Pressingthectybuttononceengagesthectymodewhichis
confirmedby“CITY”inthedisplaycoupledwithasingleaudio
“beep”. Pressing the cty button a secondtimeengagesCity
All mode(see page9).Pressingthectybuttona thirdtime
returnsyoutohighwaymode;“HIGHWAY”willappearinthe
display coupled withtwo“beeps”.Onceengaged,weakXband
signalsencountered willproducenoaudible alert untilthe
signalstrength reachesa presetlevel.However,visualalerts
areprocessedtheinstant an X bandsignal is detected,
keepingyouquietlyinformed.Sincemost“false”Xband
signalsareweak,the use of thecty modeallows youtodrive
outof their rangebefore theyreachthepreset leveland
triggerafullaudioalert.Incontrast,signalsfromXband
trafficRadararegenerallystrongerandwillexceedthepreset
level,causingafullX bandaudioalert.Activatingthecty
modewillnotchangeSuperWidebandKa,Korinstant-onX
bandRadaralert patterns.
Note—the cty modedoesnot changethepresentationof alerts
forLaserorsws™.


CityAll
CityAllprovidesanalternateapproachforimproving
selectivityonALLRadarBandsandisidealforuse in areas
with a highlevelof microwavetransmissionswhichcan
causefalsingonallRadarbands.
Whilein CityAllmode,bel990Internationalwillprovidean
initialshortalertcoupledwithvisual confirmationof the
banddetectedandsignalstrengthinthedisplay.Nofurther
audiblealertisprovideduntilthesignal strengthreaches a
presetlevel.Whennoaudioalert isprovided,thevisualalert
keepsyouquietlyinformed.
Note—CityAllcanbeusedinboth NAmerica andTravel
modes.
international frequencies
What are International Frequencies?
bel990Internationalisdesignedtooperateanywhereyou
travel.Becausedifferentcountriesusedifferentfrequenciesto
monitortraffic,therehasbeennowayof usingexisting
technologytodetectALLthevariousfrequencytypes.Thatis
untilnow.
AllRadarBands,whetherusedinNorthAmericaorEurope,
fallundertheX,KorKaBandclassification.Thedifferenceis
theoperatingfrequency,measuredinGigahertz,whichtheX,K
orKaBandsignalistransmitted.WheninTr avel mode,bel
990InternationalwillsoundanX,KorKaDigitalVoiceMessage
oranX,KorKa“tone”(whicheveryouhavechoseninSelectable
Features)whenRadarisencountered.TheTextMessageDisplay
willshowtheactualfrequencydetectedfollowedbythe
correspondingalarm.(seesampleTextDisplayreadoutsbelow.)
9.9 X BAND (UKsignal)
10. 525 X BAND (NorthAmericansignal)
Travel Mode/NorthAmerican Mode
bel990InternationalisfactorypresettoTr avel mode.For
operationinNorthAmerica,engageNAmerica mode.To


engageNAmerica mode,withtheuniton,pressandholdthe
ctybuttonuntilthedisplayreads:NAmerica. Releasethe
ctybutton.
WiththeunitsetinTRAVEL mode,thenumberof Radar
frequenciestotals10.Toseethesefrequencies,accessSelectable
Features.(seepage13).Inaddition,TRAVEL modepresentsthe
actualfrequencydetectedfollowedbytheregularalarm.Based
onthealertpatternreceived(seepage17),youcanjudgewhich
frequenciesinyourareaof travelyouknowtobe“false”and
whicharetruetrafficRadar.ThisallowsyoutoturnOFFany
frequencywhichyouknowtobegeneratingfalsealerts.(Youcan
alsoturnoff afrequencyif youknowitisnotusedinyourareaof
travel.)Forexample,becauseotherdevicesaresharedwith
trafficradar(seeTypicalFalseAlerts,page20)youmaynoticea
constantXBandsignal(9.9GHz)alarminginaspecificareayou
knowtobeafalsealert.Bydisplayingtheactualfrequency,you
areabletodetermineif youwanttoturnthatparticular
frequencyOFFinSelectableFeatures.
bel990Internationalisshippedwithall10Radarfrequencies
engaged.Aflashingcheckmarkandhorizontallineconfirm
frequencyison;aflashinghorizontallineconfirmswhen
frequencyisoff.Dependinguponthefrequenciesusedinyour
areaof travel,youcanturnanyof thefrequenciesoff.
Note:It isimportanttoknowwhatfrequencies areused inyour
areaof travel.If youencounterexcessivefalsingonX,KorKa
BandswhenoperatingyourunitinTRAVEL mode,youcan
engagetheCityAllmodeinSelectableFeaturesorturnthe
offendingBandorBandsoff inSelectableFeatures.(seepage13).
If excessivefalsingoccursspecificallyonSuperWidebandKa,
selectthespecificKaNarrowfrequencyorfrequenciesusedinyour
areaof travel.bel990allowsyoutoengageone,twoorthree
specificKaNarrowfrequencies(34.0GHz,34.3GHz,34.7GHz).
ForInformation onfrequenciesusedinEurope,call
1-800-341-2288(U.S.A.) 1-800-268-3994(Canada).
Note:KuBandalertsarenotsupportedwithDigitalVoice.
AuniqueaudiotoneconfirmsKubandsignaldetection.



selectable features
WiththeunitoperatinginTRAVEL mode,the followingfeatures
maybeselecteddependinguponyourdrivingenvironmentand
preference.
nX9.410
nX 9.900
nKu13.45
nK24.125
nK24.150
nKa Narrow:34.00;34.30;34.70
nAmute on oroff
nRadar/Laser DigitalVoicePromptson oroff
nAudio/Visual Scroll Rate (fast orslow)
WiththeunitoperatinginNAmerica mode,thefollowingitems
maybeselecteddependinguponyourdrivingenvironmentand
preference.
nX/K/Ka Bandon or off
nAmute on oroff
nSafetyWarningSystemon oroff
nSafetyWarningSystemDigitalVoice on oroff
nRadar/Laser DigitalVoicePromptsor“beeps”
nAudio/Visual Scroll Rate (fast orslow)
Note—Audio-Mute,Radar/LaserDigitalVoiceandAudio/
VisualScrollRatearecommontobothmodes of operation
(TRAVEL andNAmerica).Consequently,once selections are
madefor thesefeaturestheywillapplytobothmodes.
X/K/Ka BandOnorOff (NorthAmericanModeonly)
Select“Xon /Xoff”,“Kon /Koff”or“Ka on/Ka o ff”
dependng upon yourdrivingenvironmentandselectivity
requirements.Factory settingison forallthree Bands.


Auto-MuteOn/Off
With“Amuteon”,unitwillprovideseveralX,K,Super
WidebandKaaudioalertsfollowedbytheDigitalVoice
announcementof thesignaldetected.AftertheDigitalVoice
announcement,a“clicking”keepsyouquietlyinformedforas
longasthesignalispresent.Thisclickingbecomesmorerapid
asthestrengthof theRadarsignalincreases.“Amuteon”
enablesyoutoconvenientlymonitorextendedencounters
withouthavingtomanuallymuteoradjustthevolumesetting.
Note—Becauseof theirurgency,Laseralerts arenotaffected.
With“Amuteo ff,”unitwill provideacontinuousseriesof
X,K,SuperWideband KaandLaseraudioalerts anda Digital
Voiceannouncementof thesignaldetected.DigitalVoice
promptsareprovidedonceaftertheinitialaudioalert.This
standardsettingisoftenpreferredwhenbackgroundnoiseina
vehicleisloud.Factorysettingis“Amuteoff.”
Radar/LaserDigitalVoicePrompts
When“R/LVo ice”is selected,unitwillprovideDigitalVoice
promptsfollowedby“beeps”whenX/K/Ka andLasersignals
aredetected.Factorysettingis“R/LVo ice”.When
“R/Ltone”isselected,unitwill sounduniqueaudiotones
only.
SuperWidebandKa/KaNarrow/Kaoff (NorthAmericanModeonly)
When“Ka S-Wid e ”isselected,unitdetectsSuperWideband
Ka signals andalertsat the 33.4 ghzto36.0 range.When
Ka o ff is selected,theentireKa bandwidth is notdetected.
When“Ka narrow”isselected,unitdetectsKa signalsand
alarmsattheKafrequencie(s)selected:34.0ghz,34.30ghz,
34.70ghz.Factorysettingisallthree Kanarrowfrequencies
engaged.
SafetyWarning System® (sws™)(NorthAmericanModeonly)
Whenon,unitwillprovideaTextMessagewhensignalsfrom
sws™transmittersaredetected.Factory settingison.


SafetyWarning System® (sws™)withDigitalVoiceMessages
(NorthAmericanModeonly)
When“SWSvoice”is selected,unitwillprovideDigitalVoice
announcementswhensws™transmittersaredetected.Factory
settingis“SWSvoice.”When“SWSt one”isselected,Digital
Voiceisreplacedby“tone/clicking”only.Factorysettingis
“SWSvoice”.
Audio/Visual Scroll Rate
When“SCRLslow”isselected,unitwillprovideaslowcycling
of audio/visualmessages.When“SCRLfast”isselected,unit
willprovideafastcyclingof audio/visualmessages.Factory
settingis“SCRLslow”.
Note:Whenin TRAVEL mode,you’llnotice thenumber of
SelectableFeaturesincreasestoincludeall internationalRadar
frequencies.Eachof the 10 internationalfrequenciesmaybe
selectedon or off,dependinguponyourdriving environment.
To viewallinternationalfrequencies,engage TRAVEL mode.
(seepage10).
Entering Selectable Features Mode
1. Withtheunitoff,pressandholdthectybutton,thenpress
thepwrbutton.Theword“FEATURES”willappearinthe
display anda short audible“beep”will soundindicatingyou
arenowintheSelectableFeaturesMode.
2. Immediatelyafterthe“beep”, thedisplaywillshowthe status
of thefirstSelectableFeature.
3. Presstheaudbuttontomake yourselection.Pressthecty
buttontomovetothenextSelectable Featureorpressthe
drk buttontomovebackwardinthelist.Repeattheprocess
untilyouhavemadeyourselectionforeachof the
eightSelectableFeatures.
4. PressthepwrbuttontoexitSelectableFeaturesmode.Two
“beeps”confirmthat youhave exited thismodeandeither
“HI GHWAY”or“CITY”willbepresented in thedisplay,based
onyourpreviousselection.Yourunitisreadyforoperation.


installation
General Guidelines
Donotmountyourunitdirectlybehindwindshieldwipersor
mirroredsunscreenswhich blockRadar andLaser signals
andsubstantiallyreducewarningrange.Unlike“aftermarket”
mirroredsun-screens,regulartintedglassdoesnot affect
Radarreception.Radarsignalsarealsoreflectedbythe“heated
windshields”known asInstaclear®andElectriClear®available
asanoptiononsomevehicles.Thistype of windshieldmakes
anydash,visororwindshieldmounteddetector ineffective.
(If indoubt,checkwithanappropriatedealershiptosee if
thisappliestoyourvehicle.)Toachieveoptimumperformance,
regardlessof whichmountingpositionyouchoose,follow
thebasic steps below:
1. Consideroccupantsafety whenselectinga mountinglocation.
Choosea location wheretheunitwillnotbe hazardousin
caseof an accident.
2. Foroptimumdetection,positionyourunitwitha clear,
unobstructedviewof the roadfromthefrontand rear.
3. Donotallowtheunittomake contactwiththe windshield.
Thiswilleliminateunnecessary vibration.
4. Avoidplacingyourunitindirectsunlight.Duringthesummer,
interiortemperaturesof anenclosed vehiclecansometimes
reachtemperaturesthatwillcauseprematureagingof theunit.
5. Yourdetectorisnot waterproof;exposure towater maycause
damage.
Dash Mounting
Youcanmount yourunittoalevelarea of yourvehicle’s dash
using the hookandloopfastener orthefour non-skid dash
mountingpadsprovided.
Instaclearis a registeredtrademarkof theFordMotorCompany.
ElectriClearisaregisteredTrademarkof Libbey,Owens,Ford,andDelco-Remy.


Windshield BracketAssembly
Thevisorclipisfullyassembled.
To assemble thewindshield
bracket,follow thisdiagram.
Windshield Mounting
1. Removethemountingbracket
coverontopof theunitby
pressingontheraiseddotsand
pushingoutward.Storethecover
inasafeplace.
2. Clean theselectedwindshieldarea,position thesuction-cup
mount onthewindshield,andpress firmlyoneachsuction
cuptosecureitinplace.
3. Useascrewdriverorasmallcointoadjust theangle of the
suction-cupmount until thebase plateislevel.
4. Slide detectoronto base plateuntilitsnapsintoplace.
Note—somevehicleshaveaplasticcoatingontheinsideof the
windshielddesignedtoprotectoccupantsincaseof anaccident.
Use of the windshieldbracketonthis typeof windshield can
permanentlymarkthesurface.Checkwithyourdealerif you
are unsure whetheryourvehicle is equippedwiththistype of
windshield.
Windshield BracketAssembly


Visor Mounting
1. Remove the mounting bracket cover by pressing on the
raised dots and pushing outward.Store the cover in a
safe place.
2. Slidethevisorcliponto thetop of thedetectoruntilitsnaps
intoplace.Clipthedetectortotheedgeof thesunvisornearest
the windshield.
Fuse Replacement
1. If thefuse hasblown,removethetipfromthelighterplug
followedby theoldfuse.Replace thefuse witha 1-amp,3AG
fuse.Defeatingthefuse protectioncan damageyourunitor
your vehicle’selectricalsystem andwill voidyourwarranty.
Note—the tipis intwopieces;becarefulnottoloseeitherpiece
orthespringinsidetheholder.(Seediagramabove).
understanding radar,laser and sws™
Three Radar Frequencies
Threemicrowave frequencieshavebeen allocatedby the fcc
(FederalCommunications Commission) andareusedfor
trafficRadarinNorthAmerica.Theyare:
Xband:10.525ghz
Kband:24.150 ghz
SuperWidebandKa:33.4 ghzto 36.0 ghz


BothXandK bandsarewell knowntomotoristswhohave
traveledwithRadardetectors.IntroducedfirstwasX band
Radarwhichbecamecommonduringthe1960s.Inthemid
1970sthelowerpowered,moredifficulttodetectKbandRadar
was introduced.In1987,fccapprovalwasgivenfor Radar
equipmentusinga thirdfrequency,Ka.Inresponsetothis,
beltronics introducedthe firstRadardetectorscapableof
detecting X,KandKa bandsignals.Inlate1990,fccapproval
was giventoWidebandKa:34.2ghzto35.2ghz.Once again,
belrespondedwithWidebandKa detection.Today,the
bel990InternationaldetectsthecompleteSuperWidebandKa
frequencyallottedforpolicemonitoring—33.4ghzto36.0ghz,
aswellasallInternationalfrequencies.(Seepage27fora
completelistingof frequencies.)
Total Tracking Laser™(ttl™)
UnlikeRadarsignals,whicharehighlyreflective,Lasersignals
have verypoorreflectivecharacteristics.Manyof today’s
Laserdetectorsdonot have the highsensitivity necessary to
detectLaserwithina large“field of view”. bel990International
incorporates bel’snumber onerated Laser detection.Twin
Laserportsdetect energyfaroutside the main Laser beam—
including off-axissignals—providingthelargestachievable
360°“field of view.”Thealerts providedby yourunitarethe
samewhethersignalsarereceivedfromthe front or rear.
SafetyWarning System®(sws™)—What is it?
TheRadioAssociation DefendingAirwaveRights,Inc.
(r.a.d.a.r.)conceived anddevelopedtheSafetyWarning
System®.Theconceptbehindthissystemistowarnmotorists
ofpotentialroadhazardsbyemployingSafetyWarningSystem®
transmittersin areassuchasconstructionzones,accident
sites and detours.These sws™transmitters operate within
the24 ghzportion of theK bandfrequency,andbroadcast
uniquelycodedsignalsthataredetectedbyyourunit.
Note:NorthAmericansws™messagesare notdetectedoutside
NorthAmerica.


interpretation of alerts
RadarAlerts
Thealerts providedby yourunitareaffectedbothbythetype
of transmission(continuouswave orinstant-on),andthe
positionof theRadarsource.Thesecriteraholdtruewhether
youaretravelinginoroutside of NorthAmerica.Generally,
whenyoudriveclosertoaRadarsource,theintensityof the
receivedsignalincreases,resulting in theincrease of the
numberof bar graphsegmentsaswellas numericaldigit
[1–9]anda correspondingincreasein theaudioalert rate.
Described beloware fivecommon typesof Radarencounters
andthe alerts youwilltypicallyreceive.
1.Stationary ormovingRadar,straightahead aimedinyour
direction.
SinceRadarsignals travelinastraight line,thisRadar
encounter potentiallyoffersmaximumwarningrange.Once
thesignalisreceived,theinitial warningconsists of anX,Kor
SuperWidebandKaaudioalertcoupledwithsimultaneous
identification of theRadarband (X,KorKa)andsignal
strengthintheTextDisplay.Thenumberof bargraphsegments
displayeddependsuponthestrength of thesignalreceived.As
thestrengthof theRadarsignalincreases,theaudioalert
becomesmorerapidandthebargraphwill display the
maximumnumber of five segmentsandthedigit“9”willalso
appearindicatingmaximum signal strength.Assumingthe
Radarsignal remainsuninterrupted,theaudibleandvisual
alertswill clearlyindicatea“weak”signalbecomingstronger


asyou drive closertothe Radarsource.Remember,whenthe
policeRadarsourceismovingtowardyou,theRadarsignal
strength willincreasemuchmore rapidly thanif youare
approaching a stationarysource.
2.Stationary Radar aimedaroundacorner
Under this circumstance,reactiontimeisconsiderably
reduced.SincetheRadarsignalsaretransmittedacrossyour
line of travel,there isgenerallynosignal availabletoreceive
untilyouarerelativelyclosetothesource.Onceanalertis
received,expect the strengthof the signaltoincreasevery
quickly.Advanced warningin this situation maybe reduced.
3. Stationary Radarconcealedbythecrestof a hillaimedinyour
direction.
Radarsignalstravelin a straightlineanddonotpassthrough
earth.Consequently,policeRadaraimedatthecrestof asteep
hillcannotbe received until youare atornearthetop.
Warningtimemaybe minimal(asinsituation#2) sincea
strongsignal is notpresentuntilyouarenearthecrestof the
hill.At this point,you may benearlyin thepolice officer’sline
of sight.Whencrestingahill,a weakinitialalertfollowedvery
quicklybyafullalert istypical.Thisalertpatternrequires
promptattention.