User's Manual

ED 3038 G 232 / 01 (2002-06)
Operating Instructions
4 Setting the Radar Function
4.7 Suppression of the Synthetics and Video
b_r1_e22.fm / 21.06.02
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RADARPILOT / CHARTRADAR
Radar Side Lobes
7. As the SART is approached, side lobes from the radar antenna may show the SART
responses as a series of arcs or concentric rings. These can be removed by the use of the
anti-clutter sea control although it may be operationally useful to observe the side lobes as
they may be easier to detect in clutter conditions and also they will confirm that the SART
is near to own ship.
Detuning the Radar
8. To increase the visibility of the SART in clutter conditions, the radar may be detuned
to reduce the clutter without reducing the SART response. Radars with automatic
frequency control may not permit manual detune of the equipment. Care should be taken
in operating the radar in the detuned condition as other wanted navigational and anti-colli-
sion information may be removed. The tuning should be returned to normal operation as
soon as possible.
Gain
9. For maximum range SART detection the normal gain setting for long range detection
should be used i.e., with a light background noise speckle visible.
Anti-Clutter Sea Control
10. For optimum range SART detection this control should be set to the minimum. Care
should be exercised as wanted targets in sea clutter may be obscured. Note also that in
clutter conditions the first few dots of the SART response may not be detectable, irrespec-
tive of the setting of the anti-clutter sea control. In this case, the position of the SART may
be estimated by measuring 9.5 n.miles from the furthest dot back towards own ship.
11. Some sets have automatic/manual anti-clutter sea control facilities. Because the way
in which the automatic sea control functions may vary from one radar manufacturer to
another, the operator is advised to use manual control initially until the SART has been
detected. The effect of the auto sea control on the SART response can then be compared
with manual control.
Anti-Clutter Rain Control
12. This should be used normally (i.e. to break up areas of rain) when trying to detect a
SART response which, being a series of dots, is not affected by the action of the anti-
clutter rain circuitry. Note that Racon responses, which are often in the form of a long
flash, will be affected by the use of this control.
13. Some sets have automatic/manual anti-clutter rain control facilities. Because the way
in which the automatic rain control functions may vary from one radar manufacturer to
another, the operator is advised to use manual control initially until the SART has been
detected. The effect of the auto rain control on the SART response can then be compared
with manual control.
Note:
The automatic rain and sea clutter controls may be combined in a single ’auto-clutter’
control, in which case the operator is advised to use the manual controls initially until the
SART has been detected, before assessing the effect of auto.