On 23 Jun 2005 08:02:14 -0700, wrote:

I have no experience with radar but I do have some questions for those
of you who do.

Is there a device that detects radar so that you can tell from a long
distance if someone with radar is illuminating you? This would be
sorta like a police radar detector.

What is the time average power of most consumer radar systems?

For a typical 2KW peak power radar, the actual DC input power is about
20 watts, for units with an LCD display. I'd expect a CRT display to
be somewhat more.

Most manufacturers have equipment manuals on their web sites - the
manuals or model listings should show input power requirements.

Do they have a "warm-up" time?

The three models I've used had a 90 second warm-up. They also have a
"standby" mode that turns off the transmitter, but leaves the
magnetron warm.

Do you use it continously?

I usually do. New users should certainly use the radar in good
visibility until they are confident in identifying targets. Things
don't always appear as you might expect.

How far away will it detect:
1. A ship
Over 5 miles

2. A buoy with a corner reflector
1 - 2 miles, I think.

3. A small sailboat with radar reflector
about the same

4. A small sailboat WITHOUT radar reflector
varies

How does chop affect its performance?
may obscure close targets - but most sets have a "Sea Clutter" control
that should help.

Does bad weather affect it?
Heavy rain will show up, and may obscure targets in the rain (but it
takes _very_ heavy rain to do that.)


--
Peter Bennett VE7CEI
email: peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
GPS and NMEA info and programs: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter/index.html
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