Radar Reflector

[Evadne]

Certainly, steel fishing boats with lots of flat steel surfaces, angles and protrusions make good radar reflectors.
"Stealth" radar technology involves making everything smooth and convex, so most of the energy is reflected away from the transmitter. This is why a big metal mast is actually a poor reflector, and I think a yacht hull would be siimilar. So I think that any "bacofoil" would have to have its own flat surface, designed to be vertical, i.e. not necessarily following the hull or coachroof. This would intrude into the living space to a greater or lesser degree.
Bacofoil lined dodgers might catch on, though, and flat internal bulkheads. And on larger boats the deck furniture (radar arch, liferaft etc. ) could be lined. It would be an interesting experiment, but as a supplement, not a substitute for a good omnidirectional radar reflector IMHO.

 

[tugboat]

I solved this problem by getting a steel boat. Provided I can keep her on the crest of a wave at all times, I should be OK! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[blackbeard]

All the test results (for passive reflectors) I have seen vary from the scary to the terrifying, depending to some extent on which sort of reflector you use. Also, the one you use is too small. Surely an active reflector (like Sea-me) is the answer?

But the Sea-me works on only one band AFAIK, and is expensive. Also, the choice of active reflectors for yachts is a bit limited - so far as I know the Sea-me is the only one - can anyone confirm?

It does seem to me that, given that our boats are full of very sophisticated electronics (like the GPS and the VHF) at surprisingly low prices (by boaty standards), it should be possible to make some form of active reflector (which by comparison is a simple device, again AFAIK) working in both bands, at a reasonably modest price, and which is smaller than a passive reflector, easy to fit and with a modest battery drain. Problem solved, just awaits an alert manufacturer - or have I missed something?

 

[bilbobaggins]

I am the proud owner of a silver plated hip-flask with dimpling all over its surface. D'you think that would provide an adequate radar return to approaching shipping, if I stood up on the cockpit seats from time to time?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


ps It's filled - nay, part-filled - with a quite good single malt!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Seem to recall that one of the yotcomix tried the silver foil idea a year or two back, putting lots of it behind the hull linings, and got no increase in radar signature.

 

[TheBoatman]

I have a friend that is a member of a RNLI L/B crew and he has been compiling a list of rescues where radar reflectors where used for ident and his opinion is that the tube Jobie's are worse than useless!

I.e. when you get a signal return from a 2" dia tube type, you can already "eyeball" the vessel.

Peter.