Next message: Stephen Joseph: "SSB"
Lets take this discussion into the realm of basics. The question to ask is
how high do you intend to mount the radar dish? The US Navy on their fast
frigate (sp) has the center of their radar disk 110 feet in the air. This
gives them an effective radar horizon of between 10 and 12 miles - this is on
a radar that has a maximum range of 256 miles. Most small boats (those under
65 feet) can't mount their radar that high, so the effective horizon is
something nice to know and it makes more sense than the maximum range. All
the extra power that you can generate will not do any good, if your effective
range is only 2 to 4 miles.
I don't remember the earlier post, but someone suggested that you take a look
at the small commercial fishing boats in the area to see what they are using.
This is good advice. These folks know what works, know what the local repair
shops can handle and most importantly what will last on the water.
Remember that radar is there basically to serve 2 purposes (according to the
US Coast Guard and the US Navy) - collision avoidance and piloting. When it
is installed on a vessel, the operator is assumed to know how to use it and it
must be used. It does not remove the need for posting a deck watch but allows
the operator to keep a better watch for objects (other boats, buoys, etc.)
Good sailing.
Derrick
