OK, following on from my CARD/AIS question; any recommendations for a radar system for a 30 footer? Dome to go on pole on pushpit or similar and would it interfere with a wind generator?
When mounting a radar on a small boat, or indeed any boat, the crucial thing to consider is the field of view.
Mounting one on a post by the cockpit, there' will be a sector of arc blanked by the mast and another by the wind generator (if mounted on a similar post). The antenna will not "see" the mast or post due to their proximity, however they will block the transmission.
IMHO, the only place to mount the antenna is on the foremast (if you've more than one). That way you'll blank the stern sector but anything approaching from astern is the overtaking vessel and should be keeping clear. (similar considerations apply to Reflectors.
Mind you, small boat radars, even good quality ones aren't very good. I'm not a fan, but you pays your money and you takes your choice....
Foremast seems best as it's out of the way, and high up. Wherever the radar is mounted, you should be aware of the blind spots, and also alter course occassionally in order to see what is in them. This probably happens as a matter of course on most sailing trips, unless it is dead calm, or light winds.
When I was first taught about radar 25 years ago, i was told to keep out of their line of site as they could fry your goolies - I am therefore surprised to see them on pushpits and level with sunbathing decks - do I not have to worry anymore, (I probably dont anyway, but that's another story <g>
huge number of posts on the subject in the past. Summary is, don't worry about it. If it was a concern, the US boaters would be taking class actions in the billions of dollars.