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#1
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Inflatable radar reflector
I never posted this Useless Idea because I thouhgt it was a good one.
I was about to file the provisional patent application till I did a check on the USPTO website and found I am 4 yrs too late. So........ Most radar refelctors are a pain in the ass, especially the most effective ones, the corner refelctor ones. Some are preassembled and are a pain to store. The one I have consists of 3 interlocking metallized foam sheets that has to be assembled. Then, they have to be mounted in the "catch rain" position which is difficult sometimes. I wanted to make an inflatable one, sort of like a beach ball with the three orthogonal planes made from metallized thin plastic on the inside of the beachball. It would be weighted so it always hung in the right position. I bet I could make these for $1.00 and sell them for $20.00. Unfortunately, somebody beat me to it, it was patented in 2000. Now, I want one but will not take the trouble to make it since it may already exist. Anybody know where to get something like this? |
#2
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Inflatable radar reflector
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector?
People sailed for many years without them. I still do. I have a 50 mile radar on my trawler because it was installed by a former owner. Personally, I can't imagine why I would want to turn it on. Leave the reflector down below until you are in limited visibility then put it up. Keep your eyes open. Parallax wrote: I never posted this Useless Idea because I thouhgt it was a good one. I was about to file the provisional patent application till I did a check on the USPTO website and found I am 4 yrs too late. So........ Most radar refelctors are a pain in the ass, especially the most effective ones, the corner refelctor ones. Some are preassembled and are a pain to store. The one I have consists of 3 interlocking metallized foam sheets that has to be assembled. Then, they have to be mounted in the "catch rain" position which is difficult sometimes. I wanted to make an inflatable one, sort of like a beach ball with the three orthogonal planes made from metallized thin plastic on the inside of the beachball. It would be weighted so it always hung in the right position. I bet I could make these for $1.00 and sell them for $20.00. Unfortunately, somebody beat me to it, it was patented in 2000. Now, I want one but will not take the trouble to make it since it may already exist. Anybody know where to get something like this? |
#3
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Inflatable radar reflector
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector?
People sailed for many years without them. I still do. I have a 50 mile radar on my trawler because it was installed by a former owner. Personally, I can't imagine why I would want to turn it on. Leave the reflector down below until you are in limited visibility then put it up. Keep your eyes open. Parallax wrote: I never posted this Useless Idea because I thouhgt it was a good one. I was about to file the provisional patent application till I did a check on the USPTO website and found I am 4 yrs too late. So........ Most radar refelctors are a pain in the ass, especially the most effective ones, the corner refelctor ones. Some are preassembled and are a pain to store. The one I have consists of 3 interlocking metallized foam sheets that has to be assembled. Then, they have to be mounted in the "catch rain" position which is difficult sometimes. I wanted to make an inflatable one, sort of like a beach ball with the three orthogonal planes made from metallized thin plastic on the inside of the beachball. It would be weighted so it always hung in the right position. I bet I could make these for $1.00 and sell them for $20.00. Unfortunately, somebody beat me to it, it was patented in 2000. Now, I want one but will not take the trouble to make it since it may already exist. Anybody know where to get something like this? |
#4
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Inflatable radar reflector
On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:44:26 GMT, Jim wrote:
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector? People sailed for many years without them. I still do. I have a 50 mile radar on my trawler because it was installed by a former owner. Personally, I can't imagine why I would want to turn it on. Colregs may require that you do. Rule 5 Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight as well as by hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. Rule 6 (b) has an effect on safe speed, if you have radar. Rule 7 b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects. and on and on .... Leave the reflector down below until you are in limited visibility then put it up. Keep your eyes open. There are other reflectors that are less cumbersome, e.g., some cylinders that are easier to install and leave in place. Jack __________________________________________________ Jack Dale Swiftsure Sailing Academy Director/ISPA and CYA Instructor http://www.swiftsuresailing.com Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free) __________________________________________________ |
#5
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Inflatable radar reflector
On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:44:26 GMT, Jim wrote:
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector? People sailed for many years without them. I still do. I have a 50 mile radar on my trawler because it was installed by a former owner. Personally, I can't imagine why I would want to turn it on. Colregs may require that you do. Rule 5 Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight as well as by hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision. Rule 6 (b) has an effect on safe speed, if you have radar. Rule 7 b) Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects. and on and on .... Leave the reflector down below until you are in limited visibility then put it up. Keep your eyes open. There are other reflectors that are less cumbersome, e.g., some cylinders that are easier to install and leave in place. Jack __________________________________________________ Jack Dale Swiftsure Sailing Academy Director/ISPA and CYA Instructor http://www.swiftsuresailing.com Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free) __________________________________________________ |
#6
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Inflatable radar reflector
Jim wrote:
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector? Because they actually work? Because they sometimes save your boat? To look cool? I suppose there are additional reason, but munch on these for a while. People sailed for many years without them ... Same goes for EPIRBs, life rafts, VHFs, and autopilots. However all of the people you refer to are dead now, so we can't ask them what they'd actually prefer today. ... I still do. Where, how often, and how far? I have a 50 mile radar on my trawler because it was installed by a former owner. Personally, I can't imagine why I would want to turn it on. Here are some suggestions: collision avoidance, additional position confirmation, another pair of "eyes," skill development. If all else fails the heat from the CRT might keep the pilothouse cozy and warm. Leave the reflector down below until you are in limited visibility then put it up ... In other words, radar reflectors are useless, until you need them. Got it. Please advise this newsgroup each time you plan to leave the slip. In advance. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://kerrydeare.tripod.com |
#7
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Inflatable radar reflector
Jim wrote:
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector? Because they actually work? Because they sometimes save your boat? To look cool? I suppose there are additional reason, but munch on these for a while. People sailed for many years without them ... Same goes for EPIRBs, life rafts, VHFs, and autopilots. However all of the people you refer to are dead now, so we can't ask them what they'd actually prefer today. ... I still do. Where, how often, and how far? I have a 50 mile radar on my trawler because it was installed by a former owner. Personally, I can't imagine why I would want to turn it on. Here are some suggestions: collision avoidance, additional position confirmation, another pair of "eyes," skill development. If all else fails the heat from the CRT might keep the pilothouse cozy and warm. Leave the reflector down below until you are in limited visibility then put it up ... In other words, radar reflectors are useless, until you need them. Got it. Please advise this newsgroup each time you plan to leave the slip. In advance. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://kerrydeare.tripod.com |
#8
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Inflatable radar reflector
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector?
People sailed for many years without them. I still do. Yeah, and screw those silly airbags and seatbelts!!! The windshield will cushion the blow...or maybe it didn't. RB |
#9
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Inflatable radar reflector
Why does everyone think they need a radar and a radar reflector?
People sailed for many years without them. I still do. Yeah, and screw those silly airbags and seatbelts!!! The windshield will cushion the blow...or maybe it didn't. RB |
#10
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Inflatable radar reflector
http://www.landfallnavigation.com/sem230i.html
They are quite good in terms of RCS, but be careful not to inflate them too much or the reflector will split from the beach ball, degrading performance. David "Parallax" wrote in message om... I never posted this Useless Idea because I thouhgt it was a good one. I was about to file the provisional patent application till I did a check on the USPTO website and found I am 4 yrs too late. So........ Most radar refelctors are a pain in the ass, especially the most effective ones, the corner refelctor ones. Some are preassembled and are a pain to store. The one I have consists of 3 interlocking metallized foam sheets that has to be assembled. Then, they have to be mounted in the "catch rain" position which is difficult sometimes. I wanted to make an inflatable one, sort of like a beach ball with the three orthogonal planes made from metallized thin plastic on the inside of the beachball. It would be weighted so it always hung in the right position. I bet I could make these for $1.00 and sell them for $20.00. Unfortunately, somebody beat me to it, it was patented in 2000. Now, I want one but will not take the trouble to make it since it may already exist. Anybody know where to get something like this? |
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