CH> BR>A radar gun is not necessarily infallible - even experienced 
operators 
 CH> make
 CH>   >errors - that's why the devices get calibrated and the operators get
 CH>   >certified.  For all of having been the victim a time or two of 
 CH> ignorance, I
 CH>   >understand the problem - and an observation by an untrained civilian 
 CH> using a
 CH>   >device of uncertain origin and uncertain maintenance and unsure 
 CH> calibration
 CH>   >does not constitute evidence - it constitutes entertainment on film 
at 
 CH> 11.
 CH> BR>Now if the radar was being operated by a qualified officer, and the 
 CH> unit had
 CH>   >been calibrated, I have to believe that a stop would have taken 
ace.
 CH> In addition, I would hasten to point out that the TV station may have
 CH> been operating that radar gun in violation of FCC regulations unless
 CH> they figured out a way to get it licensed without being a police
 CH> agency.
   Radar guns are also sold as devices to determine how fast your pitcher can 
throw - and as such are not calibrated devices, are not operated by trained 
and certified operators, and are useless as evidence gatherers.
   It is not widely understood, even among trained operators, that what the 
radar sees as the fastest object out there is not necessarily what the 
operator sees as the fastest object out there.  A radar set can see a flat-
nosed Kenworth more than 7000 feet out - so far that the oerator hasn't a 
clue 
that it is there - and the same radar can't possibly see the motorcycle 100 
feet away that just passed a car going 5 under the limit - particularly true 
on a limited-access road.  I've lost tickets on this several times when I 
didn;
t deserve the loss - because the officer was operating on false premises.  
I've even had one say in open court with a straight face that the radar 
tracked the first thing he saw.  Upon pointing out the lack of a plug in the 
side of his head with which to interface the device I got my ass chewed - but 
did beat that ticket (which I hadn't deserved in the first place.)
 
   News is entertainment, particularly on TV - designed for Joe Sixpack who 
is 
alive at six and passed out by 11 - it in no way is intended to pass 
information on any reasonable basis.
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