On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:48:33 -0600, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

So am I correct in stating that the S-band radar is typically used for long
distance and X-band for shorter distance? Is it also valid to assume that
if a ship has S-band that it will also have X-band?

Basically correct. The National Weather Service uses S Band radar for
weather tracking out to 200 miles or so using high power and large
antennas.

I'm not sure that it is safe to assume that large ships will always be
using an X Band radar if that is what you are driving at.