K.A.T. KAT500 User manual

K. A. T. Inc.
KAT500
OWNER’S MANUAL
RADAR/LASER DETECTOR

- 2 - - 3 -
The KAT500 provides distinct visual and audible alerts to warn you of
the presence of X, K, and all kinds of Ka Band radar guns in the front
and rear of you. This model also provides the benefit of ‘undetectability’
by alerting you to the presence of VG-2 (‘The Radar Detector detector’).
It also incorporates a new safety feature - Safety Alert(SA) and Safety
Warning System(SWS). This safety feature warns you of the presence of
potential road hazards by detecting signals from safety radar transmitting
devices.
Note : The KAT500 is not designed to help you disobey the law. A
defensive driver always obeys the posted speed limit and legal
driving methods.
FEDERAL AND LOCAL REGULATIONS
The FCC passed the Communications Act in 1934 to give all citizens the
right to receive all types of radio transmissions. The same radio
frequencies used by police radar are also used by other devices, such as
automatic door openers, burglar alarms, and some amateur radio equipment.
Since the KAT500 is just a radio receiver tuned to a specific portion of
the public radio spectrum, it is protected under this act.
Some local, state and federal regulations may prohibit the use of this
detection device. Please check with authorities regarding the use of this
device before operating it.
CONTENT INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION 3
CONTROL AND FEATURES 4
INSTALLATION 6
OPERATION 8
ACCESSORIES 11
CARE AND MAINTENANCE 12
TROUBLESHOOTING 13
SPECIFICATION 14
WARRANTY 15
FCC INFORMATION 15
Thank you for purchasing the K.A.T. Radar/Laser Detector. The
KAT500 is a completely integrated radar/laser detector which responds
not only to all the radar guns in use today, including “Stalker”, but also
to the other latest development in speed monitoring devices - the laser
gun.

- 4 - - 5 -
CONTROL AND FEATURES
PACKAGE CONTENTS
KAT500 Windshield Bracket with
Suction Cups
Hook and Loop Fastener Tape Power Cord
Spare Fuse
CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
a. Power On/Off and Volume Control
b. Dim Button
c. Mute Button
d. City Button
e. DC 12V Power Input Jack
f. Radar Antenna
g. Front Laser Detection Lens
h. Rear Laser Detection Lens
i. Power-On Indicator
j. X Band Indicator
k. K/Ka Band Indicator
l. City Indicator
m. Signal Strength Meter Indicators
n. VG-2 Indicator
g
h
bc d
e
a
f

- 6 - - 7 -
c. Plug Power cord into detector.
d. Attach bracket to detector.
e. Plug power cord into cigarette
lighter.
2. On Dashboard
a. Peel protective paper off one side of
hook-loop.
b. Tape on detector’s bottom.
c. Peel top paper off.
d. Place detector on dashboard.
e. Plug power cord into detector and
cigarette lighter.
POWER CONNECTION
The coiled power cord provided with the unit has a cigarette lighter
socket plug at one end and a small connector on the other.
1. Insert the small connector into the jack on the side of the unit.
2. Insert the other end into the cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle. If
the detector does not operate when you turn it on, remove the adapter
from the cigarette lighter socket and carefully check the socket for
debris. Also, check the fuse in the adapter and your vehicle fuse box.
REPLACING FUSE
To replace the fuse, unscrew the top of the plug. Remove and check the
fuse to see if it has blown, If it has, replace it.
MOUNTING GUIDELINES
For the best performance, select the proper location for the unit where it
has a direct view of the road. The radar antenna is located behind the rear
panel of the unit and the laser detection lenses are located behind the rear
panel of the unit and the front window. The antenna and sensors should
not be obstructed by metal or metallic surfaces and should be pointed at
the horizon for accurate long range detection.
Choose a location that does not block the driver’s vision.
Mount the detector in a level position.
Do not mount the detector behind metal surfaces, windshield antenna,
wiper blades, ornaments, or mirrored glass.
Heated windshields, currently available as an option on some Ford
(Instaclear) or GM(electriclear) vehicles act as an impenetrable barrier
to radar signals.
Note : Whichever mounting method you choose, remember to place the
radar detector out of view when you leave your vehicle. This
keeps the detector out of sight from thieves and prevents exposure
to extremely high temperatures.
Caution : On some newer model cars, a plastic safety coating has been
applied to the windshield. The suction cups may leave
permanent marks on the windshield once they are removed.
Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see if your car has the
plastic safety coating.
MOUNTING TYPES
1. On Windshield
a. Attach bracket to windshield.
b. Bend bracket for correct detection angle.
INSTALLATION

POWER AND VOLUME CONTROL
To turn on the detector, connect power and
rotate the wheel controller. You can also use
the controller to adjust the volume level by
turning it up or down.
Note : Turning on the detector will trigger the Self-
Test mode.
BRIGHTNESS CONTROL
Press Dim Button. An audible warning sound
will alert you that Dim mode has been
activated. Each time you press Dim button,
display intensity will change dim, dark, bright.
CITY / HIGHWAY MODE
The false-alert are often caused in urban areas
by automatic door openers and alarm systems.
Press the City Button. “City” LED turns on for
“City” Mode. In City mode, X band is not
detected and K/Ka band sensitivity is lowered.
Caution : Some towns and small cities may still
be using X band radar
- 8 - - 9 -
MUTE MODE
Mute can be used when you manually turn the audio
alert off. Press Mute Button to silence the audio.
Note : Press button again to restore audio alarm. The
KAT500 can not activate Mute and Dark at
same time. If the Mute is engaged, the Dark
can not activate.
SELECT TONE
Hold down the Mute button for three seconds.
The KAT500 will change tone.
INDICATOR AND VISUAL
a. Power On
“P” LED turns on.
b. X Band Detection
“X” LED turns on with audible tone.
c. K/Ka Band Detection
“K/Ka” LED turns on with audible tone.
OPERATION

- 10 - - 11 -
Accessories are available as follows:
Windshield mount 5.00
Power Cord 5.00
Suction cups(set of two) 2.00
2amp fuses(two ea.) 2.00
Replacement owner’s manual 3.50
Add 10.00 shipping and handling per shipment
CAUTION
Tampering with unit
will result in a 75.00 repair fee!
WE DO NOT ACCEPT COD SHIPMENT
K. A. T. INC
301W OVERLAND AVE
EL PASO, TX 79901
915.533.1335
915.533.1344(FAX)
ACCESSORIES
d. Laser Alarm
“ P, X, K/Ka, 2, 3, 4, V” LEDs flash with
audible tone. If the unit detects the laser signal
when the City mode is engaged, “P, X, K/Ka,
C, 2, 3, 4, V” LEDs will flash with audible
tone.
e. VG-2 Alarm
“V” LED flashes with audible tone.
FEATURE MEMORY
The KAT500 will automatically remember your settings when the unit is
turned off or removed from the power. All features selected are retained
in memory-Bright/Dim/Dark, Audio Tone, City/Highway, VG-2 and
Mute.
VG-2 SELECT
Hold down the City button for three seconds.
The KAT500 will disengage VG-2 feature with beep sound.
Press City button again for three seconds.
The KAT500 will engage VG-2 feature with three beeps.
Factory detault is “VG-2 On”.
On start-up the KAT500 will sound the VG-2 alarm when the VG-2 is
selected to “On”.
FEATURE ENGAGE CONFIRMATION
Each time a button is pressed two beeps confirm feature “On”, one beep
confirms feature “Off”.

- 12 - - 13 -
If the detector does not turn on:
Check the power cord. Be sure all power connectors are properly
installed.
Check the fuse that controls the power to the cigarette lighter
socket.(See your vehicle’s owner’s manual for reference.)
The cigarette lighter socket might be dirty. Clean it with a fine emery
cloth to ensure a good, clean connection.
There might be a problem with the vehicle’s electricity.
Make sure that the volume control is in the ON position.
Caution :Do not place any metal objects other than the cigarette lighter
or a cigarette lighter plug in the cigarette lighter socket. Doing
so could blow a fuse in your vehicle or cause the metal object
to become very hot.
If the detector gives a false alert when the vehicle hits bumps:
Check the vehicle’s electrical system, including main battery cable and
alternator connections.
Install a filter capacitor (470 , 35volts) on the back of the cigarette
lighter socket, across the power connection.
If the receiving signal is weak:
Check the angle of the detector (Place it on the point of horizon).
Radar antenna/laser sensor is obstructed.
(Relocate the detector clear of any obstruction outside the windshield,
such as a wiper blade.)
Relocate the detector clear of the window tint.
TROUBLESHOOTINGCARE AND MAINTENANCE
Your K. A. T. radar detector is an example of superior design and
craftsmanship.
The following suggestions will help you care for your detector so you
can enjoy it for years.
Never leave your detector on the windshield or dashboard when your
vehicle is left parked. The temperature in the vehicle durning the
summer can reach levels above what is considered to be safe for this
detector.
To make you less susceptible to break-in and theft, remove the detector
from your windshield or dashboard when leaving your vehicle.
Do not expose the detector to moisture, rain, dew, road splash, or other
liquids that can damage the internal components and reduce the
sensitivity of the detector.

- 14 - - 15 -
This unit guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for
one year. Should you experience any difficulty with the KAT500 during
this time, the unit will be repaired or replaced at no charge. Should you
desire to have your unit checked, there will be no additional charge other
than postage and handling. After the warranty period expires, the unit
may be returned for service and it will be reconditioned for 25.00
WARRANTY
FCC INFORMATION
This product has been designed and certified to comply with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by K. A. T. may
void your authority to use this product.
RADAR
Receiver Type : Dual conversion Superheterodyne
Antenna Type : Linear polarized, Self-Contained Antenna
Detector Type : Scanning Frequency Discriminator
Frequency of Operation : 10.525GHz/ 50MHz(X-Band)
24.150GHz/ 100MHz(K-Band)
34.700GHz/ 1,300MHz
(Ka Super Wideband)
LASER
Receiver Type : Pulsed Laser Signal Receiver
Detector Type : Digital Signal Processor Pulse Width Discriminator
Opto Sensor : Dual Convex Condenser Lens and High Speed Photo
Diode Detector
Spectral Response : 800 ~ 1,100nm
GENERAL
Temperature Range : -4 to 158 (-20 to 70 )
Power Requirements : 12 ~ 15V DC, 80 nominal (Negative Ground)
Dimensions(HWD) : 1.1” x 2.5” x 3.6”
Weight : 2.2oz
Specifications are typical : individual units might vary.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATION