# Can I find out what type/band of radar my local/state police use? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-out-what-type-band-of-radar-my-local-state-police-use/148282 "2003-01-13T12:57:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-out-what-type-band-of-radar-my-local-state-police-use/148282/1 "2003-01-13T12:57:52Z")
I live in Massachusetts where radar detectors are legal and was thinking of getting one. I notice when reading reviews that some are better against certain bands of police radar. For those who don’t know police radar usually operates on one of several bands known as X, K, and Ka, and instant on versions of with these bands. Can I find out what band or type of radar is used by state and local police in my area somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-out-what-type-band-of-radar-my-local-state-police-use/148282/2 "2003-01-13T13:31:31Z")
Don’t worry about X. The only thing that uses X nowadays is REALLY old radars and walgreens door openers. Chances are your city uses K/Ka and maybe laser once in a while. Go to [http://www.radartest.com](http://www.radartest.com) to get reviews on all the different models of detectors. I personally have a Bel 980 and think it works pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![NoGoodNamesLeft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NoGoodNamesLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoGoodNamesLeft)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-out-what-type-band-of-radar-my-local-state-police-use/148282/3 "2003-01-13T14:38:57Z")
I’ve always been interested in Police Scanner listening, but have never owned a scanner. Would you guys want to share a little info. on this hobby with me? How do I get into it? Where do I get a radio? Can I get one in my car? ---
**Author:** ![NoGoodNamesLeft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NoGoodNamesLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoGoodNamesLeft)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-out-what-type-band-of-radar-my-local-state-police-use/148282/4 "2003-01-13T14:40:26Z")
Wait, upon further reading the OP appears to be about Radar Detectors, like for speed traps, not polics band radios…my bad, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2003, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-out-what-type-band-of-radar-my-local-state-police-use/148282/5 "2003-01-13T17:08:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joey P \* > \*\*Don’t worry about X. The only thing that uses X nowadays is REALLY old radars and walgreens door openers. Chances are your city uses K/Ka and maybe laser once in a while. Go to [http://www.radartest.com](http://www.radartest.com) to get reviews on all the different models of detectors. I personally have a Bel 980 and think it works pretty well. \*\* Well I found this – > [@](#): > > A About 60 percent of the radar use K-band, 20 percent X-band, 20 percent Ka-band. Those numbers are fast changing; X band radar is rapidly disappearing with Ka band taking its place. A few holdout states—Ohio, New Jersey and Illinois in particular—continue to use X band heavily. But the bulk of new radar entering service is Ka band. At the [radartest.com](http://radartest.com) website. – Which indicates there still is some X band in use but it does not mention Mass. I know most of the false alerts are on X band and the some detectors allow you to turn off the x band to reduce most false alarms. Of course if the local police still use x band you just made your radar detector useless. I was leaning towards the passport 8500 or the bel 980. I saw sombody state that the [radartest.com](http://radartest.com) website was owned by escort/passport but I have no way of knowing if that is true or just a rumor. I did find two more sites that rate detectors – [http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202\_feature\_detectors.xml?&page=1](http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml?&page=1) and [http://www.speedzones.com/test2002new/test2002.htm](http://www.speedzones.com/test2002new/test2002.htm)