Radar simulator/teaching software recommendations required

tudorsailor

tudorsailor

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I want to learn more about my radar, but don't want to do a classroom course. Has anyone tried the various software packages that can be bought and assert to teach all you need to know?

Thanks

TudorDoc
 
Hm, how about sailing/driving about and using it lot? - in the daylight a fair bit tho. Then, when it is foggy or nearly foggy or night you will know exactly what's what. I think you can have loads of simulation but it can't be the same as real life can it? You cannot just heyho switch it on like the telly or hi beam headlights, imho.

btw, the heartstopping hi-speed boats that come straight at you at appraox 400 knots - they're actually low-flying jets. Gits. I bet the simulation won't have them? ...
 
If you look around you can get courses on a boat, or arrange one yourself.

Some years ago a forumite arranged an RYA instructor on his boat for a day, then advertised here for 3 others to share the day and the cost. We stooged around Portsmouth harbour, doing it for real. It was a great day, cost £30 each, better than a classroom.

But having done it, I would still recommend doing a course rather than teaching yourself. It's more complicated than you might imagine. You will get time on a simulator. Then do as tcm says and use your radar a lot in daylight.
 
Have just booked a one day radar course with Anglian Sea School on our own boat. They charge £125 per person per day in the classroom, or £265 for a day's own boat tuition. I got 10%ish off for booking by 31 January.

I figured it would make sense for SWMBO to be proficient too, as we expect to use radar for safety in fog, when I won't want to be tied to an instrument.

The joy of doing the course on our own boat is that we'll learn on our own radar.

Also we'll have examples of most things going on in Harwich harbour.

Little Knot
 
The RYA Radar book covers most of the info you need to know about the theory of radar.
On a fair weather day pick a nice spot where there will be a moderate amount of traffic put the anchor down Make a mug of tea open the Radar set instruction manual and play with the set matching screen targets with visual,try using the different ranges and notice the differences in what the screen is showing.When you are motoring ,again in fair weather , switch on the set and let the crew find targets.Its preparation for when the cotton wool falls out of the sky
 
I would seriously advise a course of some sort. There is a massive difference between plotting targets when you are sitting at anchor, and plotting them when both you and the target are moving in different directions in a seaway with loads of radar clutter. The critical issue is the closest point of approach, and unless you know how to plot, and in which direction to turn in fog from a radar target that looks a bit worrying, radar can add to your woes rather than salve them. My experience with Yacht-bourne MARPA is that it requires a very stable platform, and most Yachts don't provide this unless its flatters, so knowing how to plot the CPA is vital.

Keelbolt
 
There is not a lot on the web about this, butI found the following useful link while I am revising to do the one day Radar Instructors course:

Using Radar

Seems to cover a lot, if a bit dated.
 
If you do a course make sure it covers why the set should be sea stabilised or ground stabilised.

If you don't fully understand the significance of the difference - do a course! A MIAB report in to the lost of a Moody identified this as a factor.
 
If you are referring to the Wahkuna incxident I can advise you that the set was top of the range but neither the Skipper nor any of the crew knew how to use it and no one had even been on a course.I should have been on board on that trip but luckily went elsewhere. Do the Course read the book /s and get used to the set in good weather.
 
Yes I was referring to that but my understanding is that the set was Raymarine and that the Raymarine default setting is ground stabilised.

The MAIB states for anti collision it should be sea stabilised.

I have a top of the range E series with big screen and find the manual really hard work. Cannot say I have spent hours on it as I prefer sailing to playing with gagets but have not discovered how to change the settings but in other posting people have said its easy but to difficult to explain in a post.
 
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