Ka Photo Cop and Ka Wide-Band: 34.2 - 35.2 GHz

In 1987 the FCC allocated a frequency on yet another band, Ka, for police radar use. With that came the introduction of photo radar (also known as "photo-cop"). The photo-cop system works at 34.3 GHz and combines a Ka-band radar gun with an automated camera. A vehicle approaching at or above a predetermined speed will trigger the camera. The photo shows the front of the vehicle, license plate, driver's face, the date, location, and time. The unit can clock and photograph up to 200 vehicles per hour. Alleged speeders are not stopped. The film is processed and a citation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, ordering him or her to pay the fine or appear in court.

Photo-cop's effective range is 120-300 feet and it transmits a continuous signal which is a plus for radar detectors. The distance at which it can be detected varies depending upon a detector's Ka-band sensitivity. Better detectors can typically sniff out a photo-cop system 1/4 to 1/2 mile away. Industry sources predicted widespread interest and expanded use, but that has not been the case —; only a handful of cities use photo radar. Legal controversies along with prohibitive expense have caused officials to stick with more traditional methods of speed detection. The FCC later expanded Ka-band radar use to a range of 34.2 - 35.2 GHz. This became known as Ka Wide-Band.

Ka Super Wide-Band: 33.4 to 36.0 GHz

The introduction of the "stalker" radar gun raised the stakes in the detection game. Unlike all previous guns — the Stalker can be FCC licensed for any frequency in the Ka-band between 33.4 GHz to 36.0 GHz, and so cannot be picked up by detectors designed only for X, K, and photo radar. Stalker guns are being used across the country. In response, manufacturers developed detectors with "Super wide-band" technology that sweeps all of the Ka-band allocated to radar, as well as providing continued protection against X, K, and photo radar.

Ku-band radar, which is not indicated in the diagram on the previous page, is used primarily in Europe and not often seen in the United States. Its frequency here is 13.45 GHz, as established by the FCC. Some companies do tout the ability of their detectors to track the Ku-band radar, despite its limited applications in America.