Q. How does radar work?
Ans. Police radar transceivers, including GATSO cameras, operate by sending out radio signals at a set frequency which are reflected by the target vehicle. The reflected signal's frequency is shifted in direct proportion to the vehicle's speed and this is used by the transceiver to calculate the speed.

Q. How can Snoopers detect radar?
Ans. A radar signal is conical in shape much like a torch beam. At 200 yards, the operating range of radar gun, the signal is as wide as a dual carriageway!. Most of the signal therefore, goes past the target vehicle and on up the road reflecting off cars, trees and houses etc, eventually becoming 'radar scatter'. Radar detectors are extremely sensitive radio receivers tuned to these frequencies and can detect very small particles of radar scatter at up to 2 miles away.

Q. Are they legal?
Ans. Following an appeal Court ruling in Jan 98 it is now fully legal to own and use a radar detector. The 1949 Wireless and Telegraphy Act previously used by police has been proved to be not applicable to Radar Detectors after a judicial review case brought before the Queen's Bench Divisional Court.

Q. How can you detect a Gatso camera?
Ans. Although Gatso cameras face away from traffic and operate at very low power they still send out radar scatter which can be detected by a Snooper, albeit at a reduced range. Mini Gatso units are portable and can be connected to a camera but operate on a new frequency- KU Band. They face towards the traffic increasing the detection range.

Q. What is laser?
Ans. Laser guns project an infrared red beam which again is reflected by the target vehicle. By timing those reflections the laser can determine the target's speed. Laser beams, although smaller than radar, are also conical and scatter in the same way. Laser scatter can travel many miles and still be detected by Snoopers infrared system.