Raytheon RL 9 Radar probelm

[seumask]

We tried the radar in the Fog on Sunday and it appeared to boot up but then the screen did not show a revolving line and it showed a message that read something like this “No Scan returns” and clearly was not working. I have used the radar several times in the last two months to check it was working and all appeared to be well then. I am new to radar and this is quite an old set, does the forum have any advice on what the next course of action is? Yuor reply's will be considered carefully thankyou.

 

[Barry Jones]

Did you get the standby screen with the timer count down, up on the screen, on switch on ??

Check the supply voltage to the radar (i.e. measure with a multimeter

If thats difficult, can you try to start the radar whilst on shore power with the battery charger on ???

 

[jfkal]

RL9

We tried the radar in the Fog on Sunday and it appeared to boot up but then the screen did not show a revolving line and it showed a message that read something like this “No Scan returns” and clearly was not working. I have used the radar several times in the last two months to check it was working and all appeared to be well then. I am new to radar and this is quite an old set, does the forum have any advice on what the next course of action is? Yuor reply's will be considered carefully thankyou.

I am taking down an ST50 Radar due to display failure (same radome as the RL9 low hours).
If it turns out that your radome is a goner PM me.

 

[seumask]

We did get the standby screen and what looked like a normal screen after booting up just no revolving line and radar images. I was able to enter the menues etc, change range etc so it appears that the electronics in the screen end are funtioning.
Sounds like a raydome issue and I'll have to get up the mast and look into it!

 

[BlueChip]

We did get the standby screen and what looked like a normal screen after booting up just no revolving line and radar images. I was able to enter the menues etc, change range etc so it appears that the electronics in the screen end are funtioning.
Sounds like a raydome issue and I'll have to get up the mast and look into it!

Assuming you checked the scanner plug is firmly pushed in and locked at the back of the RL9, before going up the mast I'd take a look at the chocolate block connector on the radar cable under the mast if you have one. Could be just a slight water leak has corroded the cable connections.

 

[seumask]

We do have a choc block connector under the mast and I'll go through that first, I had noticed some dampness in that area before, so fingers crossed that might be it.

 

[Barry Jones]

Did you check the voltage or start the radar with the charger on, like I suggested ??

We did get the standby screen and what looked like a normal screen after booting up just no revolving line and radar images. I was able to enter the menues etc, change range etc so it appears that the electronics in the screen end are funtioning.
Sounds like a raydome issue and I'll have to get up the mast and look into it!

 

[seumask]

I had the engine on and therefore charging at the time, supply voltage I would expect was very good.

 

[Barry Jones]

Before you chase other suspected faults, I would measure the supply voltage at the input terminals when you try to go from standby to transmit, just to make sure that there is not a problem there.

Assuming its healthy, then check the connections of the intermediate terminal block between display and radome, for signs of loose or poor connection.

A high resistance connection caused by vibration, damp etc would stop voltage getting to the transceiver in the radome and would give the problem you describe.

 

[seumask]

Now solved thankyou for all your helpfull ideas. At the weekend I checked the connections at the mast base and then went up the mast to the raydome. The probelm turned out to be the motor that drives the aray. It is mounted hanging from a bracket and the very small screws that hold it up had come lose, so the motor dropped down and was not driving the aray. Now tightend back up and the radar is working again. They will need some locktight adding to them as they only hold on by about 2mm of thread each (intresting / absurd design!)