"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 18 Nov 2005 20:25:44 GMT, Commodore Joe Redcloud©
wrote:
As far as temporarily mounting the unit on your dodger... DON'T! The
antenna needs to be mounted high enough that it's beam will not hit
you unless you are at least 8-10 feet away. Putting it on the dodger
means it will be burning what's left of your eyes to a crisp. Just
forget it! Wait until you have it properly mounted.


I, also, have the Furuno 1623. Previously, a thread erupted on this
very subject and I became rather concerned with the associated
dangers. Since mine is mounted on the hardtop, it could expose people
forward of the Radar location to radiation.

I talked to the engineers at Furuno and they assured me that unless
you stuck your nose to the radome for an unreasonable length of time,
no harm would result. Bear in mind, however, we are talking a low
power Radar like the 1623..... with big units, all bets are off.
You'll be microwaved..... and the more fluid a part of the body holds,
the more likely damage will occur and the more severe the damage, if
any. Eyes are probably the very first to go...

With that thought in mind.... I worry more about large Radar units on
other boats and ships.

Also, once you install Radar, you are obliged to use it under COLREGS
Rule 7, then Rule 6. It doesn't, however, supercede the requirement
for a visual lookout under Rule 5. Rule 19 implies that one should
rely more heavily on Radar in regions of restricted visibility.

...."it has been held that failure to effectively use radar is a
statutory violation....."
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bi...ase&no=9636053

--


I've had both Furuno and Raymarine units. The Furuno was 6kw and the
Raymarine is 4kw.

I seem to recall reading in one of manuals (can't remember which system)
that there is a programmable blanking system whereby the beam is not pulsed
whenever the transmitter arm was pointing in a particular direction, +/- a
few degrees. I my case I didn't need to use this feature since both radars
are mounted well above any deck area that a person might interupt the beam,
but I've seen other installations where it is obvious that people are
getting zapped. My brother's boat was one of them, but now he's happy he
can't have any more kids.

Eisboch