Anyone know how I can build a FM radar gun?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around building a Frequency-Modulated (FM) radar gun, including inquiries about constructing FM transmitters and receivers, as well as the necessary components and knowledge required for the project. The scope includes technical explanations and exploratory reasoning related to radar technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in building an FM radar gun and seeks guidance on the necessary components and construction methods.
  • Another participant suggests that small FM transmitter kits are available from electronics stores and online suppliers, noting the importance of FCC regulations for higher power transmissions.
  • A participant proposes using pulse transmission to calculate distance and velocity, emphasizing the need for research on radar and microwave circuitry.
  • One participant questions the necessity of learning about microwave circuitry in the context of their radar project, indicating some confusion regarding the topic.
  • Another participant humorously acknowledges a misunderstanding about microwave circuitry, realizing the need for broader knowledge about radar technology.
  • A suggestion is made that FM transmitters are relatively easy to build, while FM receivers may be more complex, with references to compact receivers available from manufacturers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and knowledge about radar technology, with some uncertainty regarding the necessity of learning about microwave circuitry. There is no consensus on the best approach to building the radar gun or the specific components required.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the need for foundational knowledge in radar and microwave technology, indicating that the discussion may be limited by individual levels of expertise and understanding of the subject matter.

drakecai
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Well here are a couple of things I would like to know. Thanks in advance!

how to build a Frequency-Modulated Radar gun.

or how to build a Frequency-Modulated transmitter and reciever

or where i can get either of these :D Thanks again!
 
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drakecai said:
Well here are a couple of things I would like to know. Thanks in advance!

how to build a Frequency-Modulated Radar gun.

or how to build a Frequency-Modulated transmitter and reciever

or where i can get either of these :D Thanks again!

Welcome to the PF.

You can get small FM transmitter kits from electronics stores like Radio Shack, or from online electroics kit suppliers. They are designed to put out a small enough signal to allow them to pass the FCC rules. You can pick up their signal on a standard FM radio receiver, usually up to 10m or so away.

To go with higher power than that, you need to have an FCC license.
 
well I plan to use this FM thing for a radar gun so can someone explain to me how I can make it into a radar gun? I need the FM transmitter and reciever because i plan to move while using the gun and want to know both the distance of the target and the speed of the target. Thanks any details on my plans are appreciated.
 
The easiest way to do that would be to transmit pulses to the target. The distance can be calculated from the round trip time of the pulse. The velocity can be calculated by dividing the change in distance between consecutive measurements by the change in time between the measurements.

It sounds like you need to do a lot of research about radar and microwave circuitry before beginning a project like this.
 
I have done my research on Radar so I know that I need something like a FM transmitter because doppler radar can not measure distance.

But why would I need to learn about microwave circuitry?

Also can you contain a link on where I can learn more about microwave circuitry?

Thanks, much appreciated.
 
drakecai said:
I have done my research on Radar so I know that I need something like a FM transmitter because doppler radar can not measure distance.

Say what?

But why would I need to learn about microwave circuitry?

Have you done much reading about radar? You should be able to tell us...

Also can you contain a link on where I can learn more about microwave circuitry?

Thanks, much appreciated.

You can start learning basics at wikipedia.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave

.
 
Berkeman, I had to laugh a little at the Wiki link to radar where it describes the P band "for 'previous', applied retrospectively to early radar systems". The U.S. Navy is currently operating a SPASUR (for space surveillance) Radar system on about 217 MHz.
 
hahaha, my bad I read it wrong. Indeed I guess i do need to learn more about radar as i have been only learning about radar that deals with my project.
Thanks all!

I misread the "micro wave" thing as wrong. I thought you wanted me to learn about the circuitry of a microwave that heats items. :redface:
 
  • #10
FM TX is easy to build ...smallest FM TX can be built around BF194 transistor...ckeck net for circuits

FM RX is little complex...i think u can but compact receivers with auto tuning ...china make will be cheap

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