Best location for radar scanner (radome, not open) on 32' yacht

[FullCircle]

Re: Just to put this into perspective...

""""""""""""" plus side dont have to disconnect anything when mast is struck """""""""""

when mast is struck by what?
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[sailorman]

Re: Just to put this into perspective...

anything Jim just anything.
r u still on for Belgium, saw the delay post

 

[FullCircle]

Re: Just to put this into perspective...

Belgium will be done, even if I have to hire a low loader and take it by road. However, I have a cunning plan to do a load of the work myself, starting with the electronics on Saturday. I have set myself a target of doing it quicker than the boat yard estimates..... I wanted to do the usual cruise on Easter weekend. Luckily, as they are so bunged with work and no space, they haven't even lifted Second Chance out yet, so we may have a last cruise on her. Hell, in fact, if need be, we will take the Jouet. That will be fun! NAS can tow us on his quarterwave in his new Carter!

Jim

 

[jwrhind]

Re: Best location for radar scanner (radome, not open) on 32\' yacht

[Re: iainsimpson]

...In the unlikely event that the boys from the CG needed to make a high wire visit, I would'nt want

Ian

I was sailing last year on a 40' yacht with a 'frame' across the stern on which was mounted the radar and a wind generator. The 'frame' was probably 2m off the deck

The CG helicopter was pottering around, and we arranged for them to drop in on the wire for a demo of how it's done (and very interesting and useful it was too...). You're right... took several attempts to land on the deck owing to being impeded by the 'frame' and the wind generator.

I've read the replies and still don't know where to put the radar! Wiring is easy either way for me, but I expect that it's more out of the way on the mast.

Thanks for the replies all! JR

 

[ashanta]

Re: Just to put this into perspective...

That's why I love this site. clear an precise information by people who can clearly do their sums!

 

[capt_courageous]

Re: Just to put this into perspective...

PVB -- Presactly right

 

[salamicollie]

Re: Best location for radar scanner (radome, not open) on 32\' yacht

One other factor missed from your otherwise excellent summary - Sea Clutter.

Once there is a bit of sea clutter, the lower the mounting position the more sea clutter control has to be turned up to the point that small targets may disappear.

Like all things it is a balancing act - personally my radar is mounted on the mast at about 4m above deck as it was cheaper, transom space was tight and the sea clutter effect is at least (slightly) reduced cf transom pole mount. As I have a keel stepped mast the cable breaks below decks along with all the others.

I was able to calculate the nominal effect on stability as I have the stab calcs (the boat has been MCA Coded) and the moment from the extra 2m was hardly noticeable, unlike the roller reefing genoa!

 

[pvb]

Sea clutter - it\'s the exact opposite!

I'm afraid you've misunderstood the effect of antenna height on sea clutter. The higher the antenna, the greater the sea clutter effect at a given radar range.

 

[salamicollie]

Re: Sea clutter - it\'s the exact opposite!

I stand corrected as certainly agree there is more potential to see sea clutter over a greater range

Anyway it all becomes academic in a confused 2 or 3 m seastate wind/tide as a typical yacht is so all over the place the radar becomes rather hard to use except for spotting something very big/hard...