radar reflector- is it still needed if you have radar fitted.

Not really my field, but I thought transponders actually swept across a band of frequencies rather than responding with a continuous wave on the single frequency of the triggering signal - which is really what you want - I think.
 
It's much easier than that. The meter mixes some of the outgoing signal with the returned signal. If the target is moving there will be a Doppler shift so that when the two are mixed there will be a beat frequency proportional to the speed.

My friend made a reflector on which the amount of reflection could be rapidly changed, thus amplitude modulating the return signal. Mixing the amplitude modulated return with the outgoing signal gave sidebands which foxed the system. Easily countered by passing the returned signal through a limiter, but the early sets didn't do it.
 
Unfortunately, SOLAS V, which all boaters are bound by, whether we agree or not, and whether we like it or not, says that we must have one. A quote from the MCA .... "Regulation V/19 requires all small craft to fit a radar reflector
‘if practicable’. If your boat is more than 15m in length, you
should be able to fit a radar reflector that meets the IMO
requirements of 10m2. If your boat is less than 15m in length,
you should fit the largest radar reflector you can. Whatever
size your boat is, the radar reflector should be fitted according
to the manufacturer’s instructions and as high as possible to
maximise its effectiveness."
 
I have been sailing for years and did not know that I was 'bound by' SOLAS V, and know very little about these regs.

Do you have a link to them. Looks like a knowlededge gap that needs to be filled?
 
Precisely. Many Doppler measurement devices comprise a Gun/Impatt mixer.

A Gun diode on the vehicle, and oscillating at a frequency below that of the radar will mix a beat frequency that indicates a false speed. The output from the Gun Diode will swamp the reflected return.

IF the radar guns operate at a known frequency, it is fairly simple to set up a Gun oscillator in a waveguide with a small horn.

Interesting story of the policeman who pointed a radar gun at an RAF Harrier which was on its landing approach. It's is alleged that the ECM from the Harrier permanently neutralized the radar gun!
 
Solas V Regulation 19 also says all ships,regardless of size, must carry a GPS or terrestrial radionavigation system. Nothing about "if practicable".
Something odd here - I must have something wrong - any experts to explain?
Is Solas law - can the French get us for this if we ever go there?
 
But who are the UK Coastguard to decide which part of SOLAS apply?
The SOLAS regulations, as far as my reading of them goes, make no exceptions for pleasure craft vis a vis commercial craft.
Maybe SOLAS can delegate what is enforced to national authorities but that must be buried in the small print somewhere.
Who checks on whether radar reflectors are fitted?
Has anybody been fined for not having one one?
Why doesn't the RCD incorporate SOLAS requirements?
 
regulation 1 paragraph 4 allows for administrations to decide applicability to types of vessel. The govt decide, then put the detail into maritime law. The coastguard don't make the policy.
 
You are correct that I the text you highlight is mine, not intended to decieve anyone as being part of the MCA requirements that's why its in brackets. It is just my opinion that any vessel which is out in waters where a reflector would be need is one that can and in my opinion should fit one, for they're own good and for the good of others who might otherwise run them down, and feel bad about it.

The Full Text of the MCA Solas V advice to Pleasure craft is as follows.

SOLAS V For Pleasure Craft

Voyage Planning
Regulation V/34 ‘Safe Navigation and avoidance of
dangerous situations’, is a new regulation. It concerns
prior-planning for your boating trip, more commonly
known as voyage or passage planning. Voyage planning
is basically common sense. As a pleasure boat user, you
should particularly take into account the following
points when planning a boating trip:
• weather: before you go boating, check the weather
forecast and get regular updates if you are planning
to be out for any length of time.
• tides: check the tidal predictions for your trip and
ensure that they fit with what you are planning to do.
• limitations of the vessel: consider whether your boat is
up to the proposed trip and that you have sufficient
safety equipment and stores with you.
• crew: take into account the experience and physical
ability of your crew. Crews suffering from cold, tiredness
and seasickness won’t be able to do their job properly
and could even result in an overburdened skipper.
• navigational dangers: make sure you are familiar with any
navigational dangers you may encounter during your boating
trip. This generally means checking an up to date chart and
a current pilot book or almanac.
• contingency plan: always have a contingency plan should
anything go wrong. Before you go, consider bolt holes
and places where you can take refuge should conditions
deteriorate or if you suffer an incident or injury. Bear in mind
that your GPS set is vulnerable and could fail at the most
inconvenient time. It is sensible and good practice to make
sure you are not over-reliant on your GPS set and that you
can navigate yourself to safety without it should it fail you.
• information ashore: make sure that someone ashore knows
your plans and knows what to do should they become
concerned for your well being. The Coastguard Voluntary
Safety Identification Scheme (commonly known as CG66) is
also free and easy to join. The scheme aims to help the
Coastguard to help you quickly should you get into trouble
while boating. It could save your life.
Radar Reflectors
Many large ships rely on radar for navigation and for spotting
other vessels in their vicinity. So, whatever size your boat is,
it’s important to make sure that you can be seen by radar.
Regulation V/19 requires all small craft to fit a radar reflector
‘if practicable’. If your boat is more than 15m in length, you
should be able to fit a radar reflector that meets the IMO
requirements of 10m2. If your boat is less than 15m in length,
you should fit the largest radar reflector you can. Whatever
size your boat is, the radar reflector should be fitted according
to the manufacturer’s instructions and as high as possible to
maximise its effectiveness.
Life Saving Signals
Regulation V/29 requires you to have access to an illustrated
table of the recognised life saving signals, so that you
can communicate with the search and rescue services or
other boats if you get into trouble. You can get a free
copy of this table in a leaflet produced by the MCA. You
can also find it in various nautical publications. If your
boat is not suitable for carrying a copy of the table on
board (because it’s small or very exposed), make sure
you’ve studied the table before you go boating. Larger
boats should keep a copy on board.
Assistance to other Craft
Regulations V/31, V/32 and V/33 require you:
• to let the Coastguard and any other vessels in the vicinity
know if you encounter anything that could cause a serious
hazard to navigation, if it has not already been reported.
You can do this by calling the Coastguard on VHF, if you
have it on board, or by telephoning them at the earliest
opportunity. The Coastguard will then warn other
vessels in the area.
• to respond to any distress signal that you see or hear
and help anyone or any boat in distress as best you can.
Misuse of Distress Signals
Regulation V/35 prohibits misuse of any distress signals.
These are critical to safety at sea and by misusing them
you could put your or someone else’s life at risk.


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Wasn\'t being \"smart\" or to offend ...

Just making the point that Solas in fact doesn't FORCE you to do it ... In fact many reg's like Solas are "recc'd" actions ... IMO is typical. I wanted to just correct - as many new people to boating frequent the forums and is well to keep to actual. I don't mean for people to now shout me down as advising newbies to not fit reflectors - in fact I am 101% in favour of them. I shall be remounting mine in more suitable place before mast is re-stepped ...

You are just one of the posts that I have noticed have inferred more rigid ruling than actually exists ...

Forgive me .. I mean no offence.....
 
Re: Wasn\'t being \"smart\" or to offend ...

Sbc I hope you are right that it is a recommendation but I am not sure.
As previously suggested by Brendan look here:
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf
I quote from this coastguard document:
"Failure to obey these regulations may lead to prosecution"
That sounds like force to me. If you are correct then it appears that the coastguard are making up legally binding rules on the hoof.
As I said earlier I cannot find any definitive study that shows that a small yacht at sea benifits in any way from a radar reflector - I do not count articles in magazines puffing these products as definitive studies.
 
Re: Wasn\'t being \"smart\" or to offend ...

[ QUOTE ]
Sbc I hope you are right that it is a recommendation but I am not sure.
As previously suggested by Brendan look here:
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf
I quote from this coastguard document:
"Failure to obey these regulations may lead to prosecution"
That sounds like force to me. If you are correct then it appears that the coastguard are making up legally binding rules on the hoof.
As I said earlier I cannot find any definitive study that shows that a small yacht at sea benifits in any way from a radar reflector - I do not count articles in magazines puffing these products as definitive studies.

[/ QUOTE ]


Woa Woa Neddy !!! .... Hang on there a bit. What I said was - it states clearly in the Solas and other docs wherever you get them from - "If practicable".

Ok we know that end of day you can hang it off by flag halyard, metal bracket on mast head, nail it to cabin-top if necessary .... but it still says "If practicable".

I would suggest that if you were involved in an incident and it was shown that a radar reflector mounted could have been significant in avoiding such .... and you were found to have one laying in the locker on board .... THEN I think the authorities would be quite right to "hand out" suitable punishment. (I have to shamedly admit to have had a RR in the locker for years ... only last few years have I bothered to hoist it !! OOps !!).

Despite these forums dire statements and additions to Official docs - there are still a lot of boats out there without RR hoisted ... I'm only stating fact ....

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