Determining the distance that objects may be seen on radar

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Determining the distance that objects may be seen on radar

Please click here to view an Internet article addressing radar horizon. As indicated therein and shown within the diagram below, the distance which a radar system can detect objects is determined by the distance to horizon of both one's vessel and the object which will be reflecting the radar energy, the height of the radar transmitter and the height of the object which will be reflecting the radar energy.



The power of the radar, the radar cross section of the target, weather, and sea state are also factors in determining the effective radar range. With respect to radar transmitter characteristics, greater power will decrease the effect of weather in reducing radar range. Antenna the length of the radar antenna will increase the likelihood of targets positioned in close appearing as individual targets on the radar screen instead of a single larger target.

The ranges of each of Raymarine's currently manufactured radomes and open array radar systems may be found within Raymarine's radome and open array radar systems web pages, as well within the radome and open array radar system's Installation Guide.


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