ALL ABOUT RADAR

1. VBW is anything between 15 and 30

2. HBW is anything between 0.6 to 2
3. Commercial radar sets have two to three values of PRF between 500 and 2000
4. Wavelength- X Band : 3 cm (9.2-9.5 GHz)
S Band: 10 cm (2.9-3.1 GHz)

Characteristics of Radar set

1. Vertical beam width- If too small target would be missed in rolling and pitching.

As per IMO performance standards the radar should function without any deterioration in
performance when the vessel is rolling or pitching upto 10 degree

2. Horizontal beam width- It causes all targets to appear larger in azimuth on PPI
3. Pulse length- It affects the range discrimination, targets blips for the time equal to PL
More pulse length not suitable for short range as target detected will be too large in size on
PPI.
4. PRF- High values of PRF good and clear picture.
5. Wavelength-

Limitation of RADAR set

1. Range discrimination- As per IMO performance standards, two similar object on the same
bearing, separated by 40 meters in range, should be separately indicated when using a range
scale of 1.5 M or less when they lie between 50% and 100% of the range scale in use.
2. Bearing discrimination- As per IMO performance standards, it should not exceed 2.5 degree.
3. Minimum Range- It depends upon:
a) The pulse length- Minimum range = ½ of PL ( Targets closer to ½ of PL will not get
detected by Radar)
b) VBW and height of the scanner- the higher the scanner the greater the minimum range
of detection
c) Wavelength- X band : Better minimum Range

As per IMO performance standards, the minimum range with a scanner 15 m high shall
not exceed 40 m.

4. Maximum Range- It depends upon the following-

a) Height of the scanner- Greater the height, greater the detection range
b) Power of the set- The greater the power, greater the Maximum range
c) Wavelength- S band: greater maximum range
d) PRF- higher PRF more maximum range
e) PL- Long pulse better maximum range
f) VBW and HBW- the narrower the beamwidth, greater the maximum range
g) Receiver sensitivity
h) Nature of target
i) Weather effects
j) Sea and swell
5. Range Accuracy- As per IMO performance standards, the error in the range of VRM, should
not exceed 1% of the maximum range of the scale in use or 30 m, whichever is greater.
 ALL ABOUT RADAR
6. Bearing Accuracy- As per IMO performance standards, Bearing accuracy should be within 1
degree

Efficiency of Radar Equipment

As per IMO performance standards, the radar set must have means of ascertaining the level of
its overall performance which is present to observer at all times and doesn’t rely on existence of
targets

PM test- echo box will be there on ship, radar pulses will hit this echo box and oscillates and
come back to the receiver after some time and show up as a plume, the larger the plume better
the performance.

(PRESENT LENGTH OF PLUME/ MAXIMUM LENGTH OF PLUME) X 100

ERRORS OF RADAR SET

1. INDEX ERROR- ACTUAL RANGE- DETECTED RANGE

2. BEAM WIDTH ERROR- DETERIORATION DUE TO BEAMWIDTH
3. ATTENTUATION ERROR- ATMOSPHERE ABSORBS AND WEAKENS THE BEAM
4. DOUBLE ECHO ERROR- PULSES BOUNCE FROM SOME PART OF OUR OWN SHIP
5. MULTIPLE ECHO ERROR- REVERBARATION OF THE ECHO
6. INDIRECT WAVE ERROR- PULSE TRAVEL LARGER DISTANCE DUE TO DISTURBANCES(SEA).

CONTROLS OF RADAR

1. SYNCHRONISED CONTROLS (TIME SYNCHRONISED CONTROL)-

a) SWEPT GAIN CONTROL
b) EBL
c) VRM
d) RANGE RINGS
e) ERBL AND EBL
2. NON- SYNCHRONISED CONTROLS
a) GAIN
b) MANUAL TUNING
c) ANTI RAIN CONTROL

ANAMOLOUS PROPOGATION

1. SUB REFRACTION
2. SUPER REFRACTION
3. DUCTING( DUE TO MOISTURE)
ALL ABOUT RADAR