DIY Radar Refelector and other mast ornaments

[eebygum]

Given the hoisted cruising Radar reflectors I've seen (when enveloped in fog) are (A) a nice big foldaway reflective triangle and (B) expensive at that............has anybody made one themselves and if so any recommendations on materials and size ( I was thinking of two interlocking squares (Plastic coated with reflective material; each square 50 cm square).

While I'm at I also need those other ornaments (sphere and cone) for motoring and anchoring. Again any view on dimensions ?

Cheers

 

[bedouin]

You need three interlocking pieces - I don't know if plastic coating would do - might be safer to go for aluminium sheet.

I think balls have to be at least 60cm diameter - easy to make out of plywood, cones are probably 60 length and about 30 base

 

[dickh]

I made a cone and a ball for my first boat - thin plywood interlocked as the plastic versions and painted matt black - works perfectly OK - not sure of exact size - I think the regs. say something like " commensurate with size of vessel" for small leisure craft.
Not sure about radar reflectors - the foldaway ones are fairly cheap compared to the 'Blipper' type and a lot of hassle making. Not sure of bedouins dimensions, my plastic ball is only about 12/14" diameter and the cone is about 15" long.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by dickh on 16/01/2003 13:46 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[bedouin]

On reflection I think dickh is right - I'm sure I've read 60cms as being a required size, but those I carry are probably only 15inches.

I still struggle converting inches to cms - had I thought of 60cms as being 23 inches, it would clearly have been ridiculous

 

[Johnjo]

Bedouin, your not the only one who struggles converting imperial to metric.
Made mine out of the black plastic that is used to protect underground pipes.

mike

 

[snowleopard]

yes, but will it work???

i wonder how many people actually get an objective test of their radar reflector.
i have a carbon wing mast and the manufacturer told me it had a massive radar signature. it was some months before i got round to calling up a ship and asking if he could see me (answer was yes, from 8 miles).