Umm yep, and if you can see a path thru the returns then it'd be
great.
Unfortunately in that area there is no discernable path without the
colours of the nav aids. the rest are unmaked piles and other jun

Looking at the "chartlet" you sent, I can see your problem. However, it's no
different than many other places.
My only suggestion would be to run the area with radar in good conditions so
that you can get a feel for what the radar is showing versus what you see.
This can help to draw a "mind" picture of how your set shows various objects
and where the buoys are versus other junk.
Since they appear to be buoyed channels with nearby land, there should be a
visible path through.
Don't get hung up on using the lowest range scale .... use the one which shows
you the the greatest area (within reason ... i.e. you might want to be on 1.5
or 3 mi scale at times) so that so that your screen more closely resembles you
chart.

Shen

One other point here.
Although I'd normally agree that the radar should help show the buoys
against a land background and make your "path" clear, it's hard to judge
what you "do" see on "your" set against what we think you should see.
The point I'd stress, is "practice". Don't just use the radar when
conditions are bad. You need to use it frequently when conditions are
good, so that you learn to interpret what you see .... probably the
biggest problem most recreational (and a lot of professional) boaters
have using radar.

otn

Shen44 wrote:
Umm yep, and if you can see a path thru the returns then it'd be
great.
Unfortunately in that area there is no discernable path without the
colours of the nav aids. the rest are unmaked piles and other jun


Looking at the "chartlet" you sent, I can see your problem. However, it's no
different than many other places.
My only suggestion would be to run the area with radar in good conditions so
that you can get a feel for what the radar is showing versus what you see.
This can help to draw a "mind" picture of how your set shows various objects
and where the buoys are versus other junk.
Since they appear to be buoyed channels with nearby land, there should be a
visible path through.
Don't get hung up on using the lowest range scale .... use the one which shows
you the the greatest area (within reason ... i.e. you might want to be on 1.5
or 3 mi scale at times) so that so that your screen more closely resembles you
chart.

Shen

Spoken like a powerboater who "needs" radar on a sunny day.
You only need to run it once in a while, and understand how it
works. Most power boaters run it constantly for ego gratification.

"otnmbrd" wrote

The point I'd stress, is "practice". Don't just use the radar when
conditions are bad. You need to use it frequently when conditions are
good, so that you learn to interpret what you see .... probably the
biggest problem most recreational (and a lot of professional) boaters
have using radar.

Bart,
I don't care if you're a "seasonal weekend warrior" or "daily
professional", "sailor" or "powerboater". The only way you will become
proficient with radar, is to use it.
Probably one of the best ways to learn that is to use it during clear,
daylight conditions where you can easily compare what you see visually
with what is on your screen.
The person who thinks that by simply installing radar and having it they
are now a "qualified" operator of radar and only uses it when they
"NEED" to, is an accident waiting to happen.
Understanding how radar works, is one thing. Knowing how to use it and
being proficient at using it, is another.

G off the soapbox

otn


Bart Senior wrote:
Spoken like a powerboater who "needs" radar on a sunny day.
You only need to run it once in a while, and understand how it
works. Most power boaters run it constantly for ego gratification.

"otnmbrd" wrote


The point I'd stress, is "practice". Don't just use the radar when
conditions are bad. You need to use it frequently when conditions are
good, so that you learn to interpret what you see .... probably the
biggest problem most recreational (and a lot of professional) boaters
have using radar.

Right, but you don't need to run it every day!

"otnmbrd" wrote

Bart,
I don't care if you're a "seasonal weekend warrior" or "daily
professional", "sailor" or "powerboater". The only way you will become
proficient with radar, is to use it.
Probably one of the best ways to learn that is to use it during clear,
daylight conditions where you can easily compare what you see visually
with what is on your screen.
The person who thinks that by simply installing radar and having it they
are now a "qualified" operator of radar and only uses it when they
"NEED" to, is an accident waiting to happen.
Understanding how radar works, is one thing. Knowing how to use it and
being proficient at using it, is another.

G off the soapbox

otn

Why not? It's a tool that can help/backup navigation or vessel traffic.
If you're onboard systems can handle it, turn it on. Even if you don't
look at it all day, it was there and ready if you needed it.
Do you leave your GPS turned off until you need it?

otn

Bart Senior wrote:
Right, but you don't need to run it every day!

"otnmbrd" wrote


Bart,
I don't care if you're a "seasonal weekend warrior" or "daily
professional", "sailor" or "powerboater". The only way you will become
proficient with radar, is to use it.
Probably one of the best ways to learn that is to use it during clear,
daylight conditions where you can easily compare what you see visually
with what is on your screen.
The person who thinks that by simply installing radar and having it they
are now a "qualified" operator of radar and only uses it when they
"NEED" to, is an accident waiting to happen.
Understanding how radar works, is one thing. Knowing how to use it and
being proficient at using it, is another.

G off the soapbox

otn

"otnmbrd" wrote in message
| Do you leave your GPS turned off until you need it?

Yeah!..... friggin' batteries cost money!

I understand it's of no concern to you guys... since the few times you are
actually on the bridge you don't really pay any atention to the
instruments.... or anything else unless it's of equal size to your ship.

CM

Yes, most of the time I leave my GPS off until I need it. I leave
it on, when on the ocean as a safety in case of a man overboard
to reverse my track. Under most conditions I leave it off unless
I am checking a range or bearing.

"otnmbrd" wrote

Why not? It's a tool that can help/backup navigation or vessel traffic.
If you're onboard systems can handle it, turn it on. Even if you don't
look at it all day, it was there and ready if you needed it.
Do you leave your GPS turned off until you need it?

otn

Bart Senior wrote:

Right, but you don't need to run it every day!

"otnmbrd" wrote
Bart,
I don't care if you're a "seasonal weekend warrior" or "daily
professional", "sailor" or "powerboater". The only way you will become
proficient with radar, is to use it.

"Bart Senior" wrote in message et...
Spoken like a powerboater who "needs" radar on a sunny day.


I disagree bart,

You speak like a siaor that never sail in bad weather that included
heavy fog.
One of the smartest thing you can do is learn the radar picture like
the back of your hand. Once that is done then I agree, no since
running it all the time.


You only need to run it once in a while, and understand how it
works.

Not so, you need to know every dock, bouy, landmark by radar if you
have it. Once you learn all that then feel free to turn it off when
not needed.


Most power boaters run it constantly for ego gratification.

Some do, and most likely they do not even look at the picture, they
just think it looks cool to have the scanner spinning. But a
professional learns to get the most out of his radar when it is truly
needed.

Joe




"otnmbrd" wrote

The point I'd stress, is "practice". Don't just use the radar when
conditions are bad. You need to use it frequently when conditions are
good, so that you learn to interpret what you see .... probably the
biggest problem most recreational (and a lot of professional) boaters
have using radar.

How much have you been drinking tonight Joe?

You agreed with every one of my points. So how
exactly do you disagree?


"Joe" wrote
"Bart Senior" wrote

Spoken like a powerboater who "needs" radar on a sunny day.


I disagree bart,

You speak like a siaor that never sail in bad weather that included
heavy fog.
One of the smartest thing you can do is learn the radar picture like
the back of your hand. Once that is done then I agree, no since
running it all the time.


You only need to run it once in a while, and understand how it
works.

Not so, you need to know every dock, bouy, landmark by radar if you
have it. Once you learn all that then feel free to turn it off when
not needed.


Most power boaters run it constantly for ego gratification.

Some do, and most likely they do not even look at the picture, they
just think it looks cool to have the scanner spinning. But a
professional learns to get the most out of his radar when it is truly
needed.

Joe




"otnmbrd" wrote

The point I'd stress, is "practice". Don't just use the radar when
conditions are bad. You need to use it frequently when conditions are
good, so that you learn to interpret what you see .... probably the
biggest problem most recreational (and a lot of professional) boaters
have using radar.