Radar reflector fell apart!

Seven Spades

Seven Spades

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Went out on Saturday, superb sail and without warning my radar reflector disintergrated into two pieces and for the rest of the day I was showered with the internal metal disks!

I read a group test in Yachting monthly May or June last year where they did a group review, but I have not kept my copy (Why would I , I already had a radar reflector), if I remember correctly one make out performed all the others.

I have no wish to end like Ouzo so I would be greatful if anyone who has retained a copy can tell me what brand & model came out best in the test.
 
Sea-Me best of course as it is active.
Echomax
Firdell
Octagonal Aluminium Rain Catcher
Plastimo tube one, goes on the shrouds
 
I've seen two of the tube ones come apart at the end cap recently. I have re-glued and even screwed in my own one so I hope it will remain aloft in the next blow. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
my tubular radar reflectors collapsed last year - 8years in the sun. The second just crumbled when i went to remove it. Replaced with Tri-lens, smaller footprint than firdell but doesnt alter much when healed unlike the Firdell. Next time going to use Sea Me.
 
I sail on my brother’s Southerly 100 that has a SeaMe active radar transponder. While getting permission to pass through a corner of an active firing range last summer, I asked the range control, if they would report the difference in our target on their radar screen, with the SeaMe on and with it off.

They were very helpful and the response was “a significant difference” with the SeaMe on. This was very reassuring, however bear in mind this was a comparison between a SeaMe and NO radar reflector.

The SeaMe is fitted at the masthead, it was easy to fit several years ago and has given no problems.
 
I have a Firdel Pentaland purchased in the 1970's. Its now on its third boat and no sign of falling apart. It also seems to give a good return judging by the times I have had a ship searchlight turned on me. But that's only of use if the ship's watchkeeper is actually looking at the radar screen.
 
Does having my radar on do the same job as a See-Me? I would have thought that my radar is sending out a pulse that is similar to a reflected pulse?
 
I had two of the tube ones falling apart (Mobri /Plastimo). Both times, I was able to retrieve the aluminium puzzle pieces. The glue they use is supposedly thermal glue. No wonder they come apart. Is this kind of mistake never corrected?
 
No, as your radar transmission is directional, according to which way the antenna is pointing, and likewise the other boats' radar is too. The chances of both looking at each other at the same time are low.

AFAIK the active reflectors transmit a signal as soon as they receive one - ie the other ship's radar is looking at your aerial at the correct time.

The active reflectors do not constantly transmit as doing so would consume a lot of power.
 
No having your radar on only puts interferance in the apperance of radial lines on the transmitting ships radar, as it is no sync to the transmitting radar. However a transponder replies to a transmitted pulse just like a racon.
 
Thanks you, that makes it clear. I was hoping to get a crusing chute this year, but it looks like it is going to be a See-Me instead /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I use a Sea-Me - it is excellent. Just make sure it is mounted well above the radar scanner. If unsure, imagine a line taken from the centre of the scanner inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal. the Sea-Me must be above this. To be certain, I used 45 degrees.
 
Most of the 4-5 tests

I've seen, on passive reflectors, seem to come down on the side of the old-fashioned tetrahedral reflector PROVIDED IT'S MOUNTED IN "CATCHWATER" position.

Other passive reflectors like the Firdell produced better returns but had large blank sectors.

My 24" (bought before metrication) was distinguishable by Ouessant control at 15nm, in fact I used to find it best to declare myself before crossing the TSS on the way to le Four. Mind you they weren't using only X band radar.

Active reflectors (transponders) are a totally different matter, but why not have a radar and keep a watch yourself, if you're going to that expense.

French sailboats, without lights, are pretty common round S Brittany - I found they frequently had no reflector and were only visible on 0.25m range.
With reflector, the 10X gave a signal at 1nm.
 
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