Michael D. Valentine, a notable inventor and pioneer in the radar detector industry, has passed away at the age of 74 in his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. Serving as the president of Valentine Research, Valentine was a key figure in the design of radar detector systems. His contributions to this technology, commonly found in many vehicles, have left a lasting impact on car enthusiasts and the automotive world.
According to his obituary, Valentine passed away unexpectedly at home, leaving behind his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Before leading Valentine Research, which he founded with his wife, he co-founded Cincinnati Microwave, Inc., later known as the radar detector manufacturer, Escort. In 1992, he ventured out on his own to refine the technology he helped create, ultimately producing some of the top radar detectors available, including the Valentine One Generation Two.
Many car enthusiasts may remember Valentine’s presence in the automotive world from advertisements like this that frequently appeared in Road and Track magazine showcasing the Valentine V1. These ads ran for years, perhaps even decades, reflecting the engineer’s ongoing updates to his innovative products. It took Valentine around 30 years to launch a refined version of the original Valentine One radar detector.
Valentine categorized radar bands into three primary types—X, K, and Ka—as he explained. Each band was introduced over time, allowing for precise detection of speeding drivers. The oldest X band is broad and easy to detect, while the K band became narrower and increasingly cluttered with signals from modern features like ADAS systems. The Ka band, though the most targeted and effective, has weaker signals that are difficult to intercept unless aimed directly at the vehicle.
Valentine’s radar detectors stood out against competitors due to his consistent update strategy, ensuring that the Valentine One radars efficiently filtered through various bands to alert drivers of potential police activity or automated monitoring systems. Additionally, Valentine devices featured user-friendly displays and offered enhanced directional guidance for drivers on the road.
If you’re a car enthusiast, you may have contemplated the legality of using radar detectors. Some may have owned one or used it to, ahem, pick up radio signals, a right protected by the Federal Communication Act of 1934. The legality of radar detectors varies by state and locality, with Valentine devices classified as radios by the FCC. They function as passive devices alerting users to the presence of radio frequency surveillance, according to Valentine himself. Essentially, these trackers are just monitoring the airwaves for signals.
In tribute to the inventor who popularized the distinct beeps and flashes of radar detectors, consider taking a drive with your Valentine One Gen 2 or an older Escort. Instead of sending flowers, Valentine’s family requests donations be made to the American Radio Relay League, a significant non-profit organization that advocates for amateur radio operators across the United States.
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