Radar Detector Science

Like FM transmitter one of the interesting device that I started using after coming here is the Radar detector. A radar detector is an electronic device used by motorists to detect if their speed is being monitored by a radar unit. So the driver can reduce the car's speed before being ticketed for speeding! A very useful device in freeways as well as normal roads. It seems crazy to me that a cop can just point a funny-looking laser gun at my car and magically tell how fast I'm going!

How it works?

We will split the radar science and try to understand the technology. Let’s start with what is Radar? Radar is an electronic tool which uses electromagnetic waves called radio waves to detect and locate moving or fixed objects. A radar gun is the device used by cops to measure the speed of a moving vehicle. Police Radar Guns "see" a vehicle by transmitting radio waves pulse that reaches the target and then comes back to the observer. The frequency of the transmitted pulse is compared to the frequency of the reflection, and speed is calculated by using the difference between the two frequencies. It is simple, based on how long it takes for the radio wave to hit the target and how long it takes the wave to bounce back the radar device can figure out the distance between the device and the vehicle. If the car is moving toward the radar device, the return signal has a shorter distance to travel and the radio wave frequency increases.

Radar detectors  are similar to radio receivers that are in your car or home. It identifies radar devices based on the radio waves it emits. Essentially, radar detectors simply act as radio receivers, picking up specific frequencies used by radar devices. Radar detectors in moving cars often pick up on radar radio waves before the car comes within close enough range of the police car to be tracked. It signals the driver somehow, most likely by beeping ( you can also connect to a radar jammer). I bought recently one , it was really helpful specially in my Vegas trip where you will see radar guns everywhere. But sometimes experienced  false alarms also (always near the Sears, Wall mart) may be due to the large number of devices, such as automatic door opener, that operate in the same part of the electromagnetic spectrum as radar guns.

There are some other technologies are used like LIDAR, and is still not as popular as speed guns using radar because of the amount of equipment already in service. Because of the radar detectors being known to every motorist, thats why we  see cops are hiding, in alleyways or behind bridges in order to avoid being detected by the radar detectors. 

Police have long used radars to track the speed of drivers and to help maintain safe roads. Many drivers like me have begun using radar detectors to help avoid costly fines for speeding violations. So the next question will come is it legal? Yes, it is illegal in many countries to sell or possess any products that actively transmit radar signals intended to jam radar equipment. It is legal to use this device in India and in United States(Virginia and Washington DC are the only places that currently ban radar detectors).  So it is recommended to check the legel side before started using.To conclude  use this device but drive safely!!!

FM Transmitter

FM transmitter is a portable device that plugs into proprietary output port of a portable audio or video device, such as a portable media player, CD player, or satellite radio system. The sound is then broadcast through the transmitter, and plays through an FM broadcast band frequency. Purposes for an FM transmitter include playing music from a device through a car stereo, or any radio.

 Recently, MP3 player in my car stop working and I was in search for a new one. Replacing the MP3 will be costly, so I was looking for other alternatives, and that’s how FM transmitter came to my mind. This one is comparatively cheap, handy and easy to use. The devices like card reader, USB as well as iPod can be connected to this.

I connected my new FM-transmitter MP3 kit which we can be plugged to cigarette lighter socket in car. This will converts the audio output into an FM radio signal, which can then be picked up by appliances such as radios in the car. Most devices on the market typically have a short range of up to 30 feet (9 meters) with any average radio (up to about 75 feet (23 meters) with a very good radio under perfect conditions) and can broadcast on any FM frequency from 76.0 to 108.0 MHz (or 88.1 to 107.9 in the US).

In some countries it is legal to transmit on FM frequencies, in other countries it is not. You are strongly advised to check that it is permissible to use an FM transmitter in your country before operation. Using FM transmitter is legal in India, United States and Canada. But broadcasting it to your neighbour’s house may be illegal! Check with the FCC to find out the exact distance you are allowed to broadcast without a license. The transmitter beyond the allowed strength, you could be violating regulations on FM transmissions.
Even after installation of FM Transmitter with proper guidelines my colleague was complaining me whenever he is near by; he too getting my signals which eventually corrupting his signals !!  and he modified his frequency for making his transmission proper. Going ahead not sure how long I can keep my frequency band without  getting in to other's with same frequency (Yes this is a known drawback). But I like to use this little smart device which saved my money. Good bye to those days where writing CD's and keeping them proper even if you don't have a MP3 player with USB access. 



Activia Challenge

I‘ve seen ads for the Activia challenges many times and was thinking long time to try it out. Activia is a yogurt that helps to regulate your digestive systems. We have many other yogurts available in the market; Activia is“live yoghurt” that contains “Bifidus Regularis” in it. Bifidus Regularis is a type of probiotic used in Dannon Activa yogurt. They say like all probiotics, it is beneficial to the body. It replaces microorganisms that are necessary to aid in digestion. Specifically, it adds beneficial bacteria to the colon, which allows material to pass through the colon (The colon is the last part of the digestive system) more quickly and easily. Dannon developed Bifidus Regularis in there lab especially for Activia. It adds Bifidus Regularis bacteria into the digestive process which make the digestive system smooth. This is designed to work on the "transit time." Faster the transit   time, the healthier the digestive track. And they have a 14 days trial pack, if we are not seeing any changes, they will give the money back!

All of the above is theory, now time to try this out. And this much theory was enough for me to give a try. If we can reduce weight only by taking a cup of yoghurt daily what else you want!!

It was working day and I started having Activia. I was not at all aware of the probable side effects, did not even thought about simple yogurt can impact you this much. On the very second day reached the office and felt like a basket ball in the stomach. I literally pulled my t –shirt to see if there is really one! Went many times to rest room. Oh man I felt, why don’t I take my laptop inside and start working there only. I would have been saved my time between my cubicle and rest room. It was a horrible day but I never suspected Activia. I continued next day also and faced the same issues. Literally it was a narrow escape for me this day for not giving daily status updates from rest room! The Third day I realized it might be because of the new bacteria introduced to my digestive system. I stopped the next day and everything went well. There were still 11 boxes remaining in the challenge box. I wonder if I started having the reaming I might have to change my communicator states to 'working from rest room'! I never thought Activia will give a mass boost to my ‘transit time’!

Bottom line...this product is NOT safe for everyone.  But I am sure there are many people who do not have any problems and rather really beneficial for their digestive system. But I was wondering why there is not even a warning label on the cup for the possible side effects so that we will be cautious before consuming it. There are no short cuts to reduce your weight. The only way is daily work out and food control - both together.