[Rhodes22-list] Marine Radar detectors, etc. (reposted w/ proper subject line)

[Robert Skinner]

"Arthur H. Czerwonky" wrote:
> Robert,
> Where would you find the plotting radar ping detector? 
> Would it cover the normal bandwidths fully?

================================================

Art, here are some thoughts:

I wish I knew where a plotting radar ping detector could 
be had at any price.  The problem is that unless the ping 
originates under your control, you cannot get a distance 
reading - no elapsed time info.  Not something I'll wait 
for.

--------------------------

The bearing info is possible to suss out, given some sort 
of directional antenna, but would be pretty expensive on 
a one-off basis.  Apparently, such a device is on the 
market.  See:

   http://www.survivalsafety.com/

(quoting another) The best option available is called a 
Collision Avoidance Radar Detector. They sell for somewhere 
around $500. 

In foggy conditions- exactly the conditions you would 
really want a radar warning receiver- a small boat might 
become invisible to marine radar due to temperature 
gradients. The same effect might reduce the range of the 
radar warning receiver.

Marine radars operate on X band and S band.

(end quote)

(another opinion) If you are going to run in open water 
or commercial shipping lanes the Collision Avoidance 
Radar Detector (CARD)is must and is very cheap insurance.  
Every boat that I venture out into the Gulf of Mexico 
now will have a least a working 5 mile radar and the 
CARD.  If running in fog or at night keep the radio 
turned on the hailing channel.  Another inexpensive piece 
of equipment that you can use is a Radar Reflector.  

This is metallic shape with right angles, newer ones make 
you really lite up,  that will greatly improve your 
signature on someone’s radar screen even if your boat is 
equipped with a tuna tower or flying bridge.  Back in the 
pretransistor days we wanted to be stealthy to keep our 
fishing spots secret, not anymore.  

I don’t have the spec’s on the new 35 mile radar but the 
old one we had operated in the X-band.  You also might 
want check with the radar detector makers about using a 
360? detector on a boat.  If you  detect a signal start 
looking and talking

(end quote)

--------------------------------

There is talk of encoding ping info with the boat ID, 
which would at least let you know that the Cat is in 
the vicinity.  Nothing tangible that I have heard of 
yet.  Not a good bet.

There is also talk of transponders on boats, like those 
on aircraft, that would give ID info, also warning of 
the Cat's presence, but that would require initiating a 
signal to trigger it.  If you have to initiate a signal, 
you might as well go with a regular radar rig.

If you rigged a transponder on your own boat, it could 
enhance your radar signature beyond what a normal radar 
reflector would do.  But if the Cat is within 1/2 mile, 
they probably can't see you no matter what you do.

(quoting) I believe there are minimum ranges that radar 
can see due to clutter. If you're moored in a harbor and 
start out when a large vessell is 1/2 mile away, they 
may never see you. Plus, would they know you compared to 
the large rock behind you. Maybe not.

I don't trust radar reflectors unless you are in open 
ocean.

(end quote)

Frankly, even if the Cat could see you, it might not 
alter course anyway.  It has no props to get tangled in 
your rigging as it pulverizes you, so why would they 
care?  No witnesses...

I figure that I'll have to take responsibility for my 
own safety, no matter what the law says or does -- just 
like on shore.
-------------------------------------

References:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=144969&page=1

http://www.survivalsafety.com/

---------------------------------------

Hope this helps shed some light on the subject,
-- 
Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven" 
Gorham, Maine         04038-1331
s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."

> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
> >I'm thinking that a major radar reflector AND plotting
> >radar ping detector might be a damn good idea.  We Maine
> >cruisers now have to deal with a 55 MPH catamaran ferry:...