Rookie Radar Question - Page 2

roger howell · 03-19-2018, 03:03 PM

Hi,
I'd be a little leery of a clearing turn in the fog with unknown traffic at a unknown speed behind me. On the subject of radar safe distance, all I remember is the NATOPS for the P3 aircraft warned against energizing the old APS80 on the ground if you were parked closer than 75' to a fuel truck. Of course this was a 150 kw radar. Seems to me the less exposure, the better.
Regards,
Roger

psneeld · 03-19-2018, 04:11 PM

A clearing turn doesnt need to amount to much more than a course change....but.....

If your scared of changing courses because someone might be behind you and hit you, then yes, mount the radar differently.

Even then, seeing them on radar may not change the outcome.

MYTraveler · 03-19-2018, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lepke

The higher the radar antenna is, the further it sees. It also helps with sea clutter in rough water.

Actually, since the distance to horizon is shorter the lower the radar is, and since ships especially, but also even smaller boats, are high enough to be seen for some distance (and to return a radar signal) even when beyond the horizon, the sea clutter problem is less pronounced when the radar is low. Also, choppy seas present a better reflective surface (ie, more clutter) to a higher radar, than to a lower one, because the angle of attack is greater.

psneeld · 03-19-2018, 04:17 PM

And too high negates close in work.....

Which some do and some don't care about.....

**FlyWright** · 03-19-2018, 06:26 PM

I like mine on the mast as it provides good 360* coverage. The aft view is so good that I can see my wake behind me and targets several miles aft (never really measured it, though). Aside from cost, the negative is that the mast requires a taller covered slip without a tip-down feature.

Mine doesn't tip down, but I don't mind. Seems like it'd be a hassle having to tip it down and up each time I come and go. I have forgotten my VHF comm antennas enough times

to know that I could not be trusted to always remember to tip down the radar mast.

Fletcher500 · 03-19-2018, 06:48 PM

As noted, the newer solid circuit radars are not a health hazard. Same exposure as a cell phone.

The statement that solid states only see a few miles is not accurate. I had an open array, and then solid state on past two boats and the newer solid state was much better than the higher juice open array. Yes, nothing beats a high energy open array for the long view, but the newer solid systems are hard to beat for recreational boaters.

From what I have been reading, all recreational radars will one day be SS. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Re the location of the one in the picture, Agree, see quite a few boats out there with that configuration. I want to be able see at least the aft quarters on the Display.

markpierce · 03-19-2018, 06:54 PM

My radar is located on a high mast. Nevertheless, it's worthwhile using eyeballs to see what's occurring to the stern, particularly in a slow boat.

Simi 60 · 03-19-2018, 07:14 PM

I wonder if ours works as well as it should as it does point skyward.
Radar follows funnel line
Funnel follows roof line and it is swept up.

I rarely us it as it is not as spectacular as I imagine they should be.

Fletcher500 · 03-19-2018, 07:19 PM

You could put a wedge in there (made for specifically for radars) but not sure that would be enough. Looks to be off plane by quite a bit.

Comodave · 03-19-2018, 07:27 PM

I milled a wedge out of 1.5” starboard to raise the front of the scanner. It was pointed downward a significant amount. I suppose the strut was made for a planning hull that has more bow rise than we do when we run at 10 mph. Before and after photos below.

Comodave · 03-19-2018, 07:28 PM

Sorry about the upsides down photo. Don’t understand why one is good and another is upside down.

Simi 60 · 03-19-2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletcher500

You could put a wedge in there (made for specifically for radars) but not sure that would be enough. Looks to be off plane by quite a bit.

Yep, up for a look see now.

Have resin, glass and ply on board so more destructive modifications may be on the cards.

markpierce · 03-19-2018, 10:24 PM

My experience is that the vertical range of radars is wide. Guessing it is something like 45 degrees. My level radar unit detects targets (radar reflector on power-lines hanging over the strait) over 150 feet high within a quarter mile.

Comodave · 03-19-2018, 10:46 PM

My radar has a 25 degree vertical range. I don’t know of any that are as large as 45, but there may be a few. All of the ones that I have owned have been 25.

dirtdoc1 · 03-19-2018, 11:02 PM

You also have to take in to account how you place it in relation to other antennae such as domes with satellite dishes. I've been told that the radar will fry those. You don't want to put it at the same level as the domes. I'd talk to the MFG. In the picture you can see that the radar is mounted below the domes. The posts for the domes and FLIR appear to be in the way of the radar but they are not big enough to interfere. I get a clear 360 degree view.

You might want to put it on a mast on the back of your flybridge. Just make sure that it's higher than your bimini. The bimini may not be an issue but where it's mounted now looks like there is fiberglass behind it.

Conrad · 03-19-2018, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKDoug

Lousy location for any kind of radar, but broadband puts out very little energy and definitely won't irradiate you. It also doesn't reach very far, best useful range of only a couple of miles.
.

Our Simrad 4G Broadband radar easily sees out to, and is useful to, 10 miles, which for us is all we need in the protected waters of coast BC.

High Wire · 03-20-2018, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psneeld

Just do a clearing turn if you think something could be behind you.

A "Crazy Ivan"!

I agree with moving it up with an arch or pole. While poking along at 7 kts in the fog and running from the lower helm, its nice to see what is running up your butt.

psneeld · 03-20-2018, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Wire

A "Crazy Ivan"!

I agree with moving it up with an arch or pole. While poking along at 7 kts in the fog and running from the lower helm, its nice to see what is running up your butt.

Gotta know who is in your baffles......

Keysdisease · 03-20-2018, 08:23 AM

I understand the real world implications of radar installations as well as the cover your ass statements of the manufacturer.

I just thought with all the dockside rhetoric that what the manufacturer actually had to say might be useful, kind of a baseline. I also chose that particular model as representative of what a lot of FT peeps might have aboard

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomerang

Keys, that's a lovely copy & paste from Furuno but his 1600 series won't do transmit blanking sectors and anyway, it is about the same power as a large microwave oven. If he were to unscrew the lid, grab the rotator & stare into it while transmitting on hi power, at maybe 6" no less, he would probably do damage to his eyes. Otherwise , there really isn't any need to be too upset.
I know radars pretty well & BTW, I had the exact same setup on my Bertram years ago (I later replaced the Furuno with a 4kW antenna...twice the power... in the same location) & used that radar a lot & my retinas are still intact!

Fletcher500 · 03-20-2018, 09:48 AM

Dirt Doc, you are referring to the magnetron radars. As noted by several people in this thread, the newer SS radars have a very low output and will not “fry” stuff including adjacent electronics. Obstruction to view by nearby sat dishes, whips etc...yes, that is a concern regardless of the type of radar.

Conrad, I found about the same effective range with our previous 4G which I agree is plenty far for a rec boater offshore.