Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!ubc-vision!alberta!calgary!hermann
From: hermann@calgary.UUCP (Michael Hermann)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: X-Ray countermeasures (was Robocop spotted (Photo radar enforcement))
Summary: Yeah, right...
Message-ID: <1358@vaxb.calgary.UUCP>
Date: 17 Feb 88 23:52:41 GMT
References: <602@anasaz.UUCP> <342@tandem.UUCP> <610@anasaz.UUCP> <19869@bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Organization: U. of Calgary, Calgary, Ab.
Lines: 35

In article <19869@bu-cs.BU.EDU>, madd@bu-cs.BU.EDU (Jim Frost) writes:
> ...
> Why not go all out and make an X-ray projector?  If you manage to make
> it tight-beam, you'll be able to completely blacken the film (probably
> even the whole roll, to the delight of everyone else that day).  Of
> course, X-rays are sufficiently dangerous that you might hurt the
> operators if you go by them very often.
> 

The power requirements make this impractical. I am not aware of any automotive
alternator rated for 5000+ watts.

An electrical engineering friend of mine had the simplest solution for radar
counter-measures: run a spark-plug wire to your radio antenna (after 
disconnecting radio). At voltages of 15KV and up, your car antenna becomes
a broad-band radio transmitter. This provides X,K, and Ku transmissions of
sufficient power to drown-out the police radar signal and confuse its doppler
circuitry. My friend did this with his old Nova, and had a great time blowing
by radar traps and watching the officer on duty scratch his head as the radar
display rapidly flickered different speeds.
    Be warned, aside from the inconvenience of no radio, and one less
engine cylinder, the broad-band transmission (and it is, being a spark
generating EMR) also jams television, AM/FM radio, police/fire/ambulance
communications, aircraft channels, etc. etc.. If the FCC (or DOC in Canada)
manages to catch you, its a federal offense subject to fine and imprisonment.

    My friend got clued into this, and curtailed his jamming efforts
    thereafter.


-- 
Mike Hermann | hermann@cpsc.calgary.cdn          or
             | ...seismo!ubc-vision!alberta!calgary!hermann
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