|
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
Captain Paul Shirley ([ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]
> Arild asks:
>
> How much of what you do to fine tune and tweak the set is based on your
> own background and not on what Interphase prints in their handbook?
>
> My reason for asking is this:
>
> Could or would you put in print what you learned regarding how to
> optimize the unit. I get the impression that you are getting
> better results from your unit than many average users.
> I know you gave an overview in a previous posting but could you elaborate
> and make it easier to follow for a brand new user lacking any sonar
> background and use experience?
Hi Arild!
You may be right, primarily because I'm more forgiving of difficult
obstacles for manufacturers to overcome with basic Sonar units. There really
isn't anything special and I'm concerned that newer units than mine (newer
version software) may work differently (better or worse).
I basically tolerate the band of acoustic "noise" which appears on the
display just below the vessel (transducer) and keep the unit on a manually
selected range scale that is about 20-30% deeper than the water I'm
operating in. This minimizes the amount of noise below the boat. I also
leave the unit on Auto Sensitivity. I've found that if I leave both the
Range and Sensitivity selections in AUTO the unit "wanders around" trying to
find the bottom. This tip was given to me by Interphase's VP of Engineering
in 1996. Trust both in AUTO only in areas where a very hard bottom
predominates. Yes I have to adjust my display range from time to time, but
not enough to be a burden on using the unit. In very shallow waters I set it
at 4 fathoms (the shortest range available on my unit) and the unit displays
accurate bottom characteristics in water just 3 feet below my keel (no noise
is displayed on the shortest range because the Auto sensitivity has reduced
the gain on the transmitter, thus all but eliminating the noise).
Got to run, I'd be glad to elaborate further later.
Capt. Paul
|