Radar reflectors

dalex

dalex

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Hi folks,
I'm stuck for thinking of a good place to put a radar reflector on my boat (Sealine 305 Statesman but that's not important!).
I'd like to fit one of those echomax jobbies, but everywhere is in the bl**dy way.. I had a small reflector perched on the arch to one side of the radome, and worried about it until it gave up the ghost, turning into a nodding dog, and self-destructing in a lumpy sea.
I might just bolt one of those rain catcher things up there, and done with it, but short of fitting a bit of a mast, I can't see how one could put an echomax up.
Any suggestions please?
Ta.
 
Had the same problem and especially that the small tower ones don't work. I ended up with the type that you put together when required which I just keep folded up under the seat. Not used it in anger but the intention is to tie it to the arch. The advantage is that you can then get a large one which may actually work.
 
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Please tell me this is a troll

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And I thought this forum was a place for help and assistance - still I guess ther ehad to be at least one airhead on here!!
 
I had exactly the same problem.
I wanted to fit the radar reflector so that it wasnt obscuring the radar and I wanted to be able to still fit my flybridge coved.
Like you, I like the Echomax reflectors - as far as I know it is the only one that conforms to the SOLAS and ISO regs. The active ones (Seame etc) do of course but they only seem to operate on one of the radio bands. Echomax do two - one commercial and one leasure one. SOLAS/ISO calls for 10sqm of reflector for at least 240 degrees of the compass.

In the end, I fitted a bracket and elastic strap under the radar arch so that it can be easily put away in a locker when not in use. I have also managed to angle it so that it is upright when we are under way.

This picture shows it - just under the Raydome against the safety rails. It only takes a few seconds to fit - quicker than tyeing on a fender.

IMG_2205.jpg
 
Fit two rain catchers up there ... one on each side of the radar dome which will give you good coverage. Cheap, cheerful and functional ..... and it will work when you have that power failure as well. Simple solutions that work are often the best ones ... perhaps not displaying the same number of gadgets as "the Jonses", but at a fraction of the cost with similar safety effects. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Ok I will bite.

A radar reflector is to radar as reflective tape on a cyclist is to your headlights. Your small, mostly non metalic and therefore non radar reflective, low to the water boat presents a relatively poor target to a ships radar ( as does a cyclist in black lycra ) . A radar reflector uses plates of reflective aluminium arranged in such a way as to reflect an incident radio wave straight back to its source. The radar then sees a blip where before it might have missed you.

Your radar is your headlights, most of the time you are reflecting off bloody great tankers, cruise ships, merchantmen and the occasional aircraft carrier, too big to miss but our piddly little vessels are just too small and get lost in the clutter.

The stealth ships of modern navys use the same principles to attempt to point the reflective surfaces to deflect incident radar pulses in any direction but the one they came from, thus the sloped superstructures.
 
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Ok I will bite.

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Thank you for your most detailed explanation - whilst not quite a troll, I was led to believe that having a radar did take the place of a reflector and I did not need one - having not really gone far out from the coast so far guess I have been lucky - but now as I intend to go across the channel this year - will invest in a reflector myself .... so thank you for your help

Clive
 
Sorry to hi jack the thread a bit, I've been trying to work this one out as well, I don't have the luxury of a radar arch so its more or less impossible to put something up high.

I've seen the long thin tube types that you can mount on a rail but I've seen reviews saying they aren't that effective /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif the other option is something like the Seame active reflector but then they're expensive.

As anyone else go any advice? what do others with smaller boats do? are the long thin ones ok/better than nothing? would one each side of the boat improve things?

Thanks in advance!
Charlie
 
From MCA website regarding Solas V and the requirement for a radar reflector.

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.

The words "if practicable" are key here. On your boat it could be argued that it is not practicable. However if you wanted to comply I have seen an octohedral type mounted on the end of a long pole and this would be inserted into the flagstaff socket in the event of reduced vis. Still gotta find somewhere to stash it when not in use.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've seen the long thin tube types that you can mount on a rail but I've seen reviews saying they aren't that effective /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif the other option is something like the Seame active reflector but then they're expensive.

As anyone else go any advice? what do others with smaller boats do? are the long thin ones ok/better than nothing? would one each side of the boat improve things?

Thanks in advance!
Charlie

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The long thin ones are generally worse than useless, giving you a false sense of security. There was a write up a few months ago in one of the mags about these things and they simply did not work.

The active 'pinger' type ( expensive ) are the ultimate. The common folding Ali ones and the canister types are the medium solution.
 
While it is true that the likes of "Sea Me" are the mutts nuts for getting your vessel visible on another radar, having one doesn't mean you comply with Solas.

I think this is due to them be "active" rather than passive and therefore reliant on power to make them work.

By all means get one, they are great, but to comply with Solas you'll need a reflector as well.
 
Thanks for that, I'd still like to try and have something so that if I do get stuck out in reduced visability I've got a bit of protection!

Looking at the link above they've got some inflatable reflectors!! does anyone know anything about them?? Something like that I could probably tie on somewhere when needed and leave deflated when not required.
 
Having a soft top boat I use one of the octohedrals bungeed to a canopy hoop. I am reviewing making up a fitting so that it can be attached to the mast when needed. I assume, whilst not putting too much moment arm on the mast, the higher the better? GRP tube/rod for preference I guess, but any ideas on where to get same?
 
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