Bel Sti-R - Radar Detector New Feature

[samq45]

Originally Posted by RadarNutt

Why would you want to do that? It seems to me that you would block out reception of all the U.S. based Ka bands. Isn't that right (someone who knows for sure please chime in)? My recollection is that the Ka used in the U.S. is 33.4-36.0 Ghz (or more specifically freqs of 33.8 / 34.7 / 35.5).

I was not very clear on this - Superwide Ka was turned off to be able to pick out the segments of the Ka band that is being used in my Area. There is generally only 34.7 around me. When superwide was turn off I enabled only segment 5 which is stalker.

This is from the Manual - Segment 7 is a misprint - S/B 35.143

When KaSW is off,
each Ka segment can be turned on or off
Ka1 (33.392 - 33.704) ON or OFF
Ka2 (33.704 - 33.896) ON or OFF
Ka3 (33.886 - 34.198) ON or OFF
Ka4 (34.184 - 34.592) ON or OFF
Ka5 (34.592 - 34.808) ON or OFF
Ka6 (34.806 - 35.166) ON or OFF
Ka7 (34.143 - 35.383) ON or OFF
Ka8 (35.378 - 35.618) ON or OFF
Ka9 (35.595 - 35.835) ON or OFF
Ka10 (35.830 - 35.998) ON or OFF

http://www.1stradardetectors.com/ass...lish_Nov07.pdf

I was trying to see if range (or the time between when the detectors alerted) were increased at all if only 34.7 were enabled. I have noted that with only segment 5 on, I have gotten an alert from all Stalker encounters as the STI_D alerted as well. I also have noted no falsing on 33.8 with only segment 5 on. When superwide is on and Radar Detector Junking is off - I get quite a few falses on 33.8 while the STI-D is quiet. I cannot notice any difference in the range with the settings changed. I would not suggest that KaSW get turned off in the USA. I do it to see if it makes a difference and I have another detector as a backup. I might think about shutting off segments 1 and 10 and possibly even 3,4,6,7 & 9 Leaving only 2, 5 and 8 (taking a risk with out of tune guns however).

I think your point about the windshield is something to consider. From what I understand there is at least a small loss of frequencies across the spectrum when passed through the glass. How much and if it makes a difference I do not know. Different windshields may cause different rates of loss at different frequencies. I know thin plastic causes some loss as I originally mounted the STi-R a bit lower and it was covered by a piece of plastic that was about 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch thick. When it was mounted there (for 4 days) the remote did not alert to weak K band false. I cut my lower grille and now it is totally unobstructed and alerts to this weak K bank every time I go by, while the STI-D is totally silent - as all the rest of my detectors at thet location.

I also look forward to other users experiences with STi-R on Radar Used in USA. I have seen some videos where ths STI is alerting to K band a bit quicker than the V1 (looks like Germany or so) and some other encounters with the multinovas but nothing I would hang my hat on for what is used here.