Nav 5

Operational Use of RADAR / ARPA

Learning Outcome

At the end of the module, the student should be able to:

LO3.1: Identify the characteristics of RADAR controls and their

functions as per the manufacturer’s manual

LO3.2: Set up a RADAR to according to manufacturer’s instructions

and interpreting the data collected.
 Week 3
TOPIC: Basic Theory and operation of a
Marine Radar System
-Radar Controls and their functions
Introduction to Radar Theory: RADAR Control system
Radar, an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging, is a technology that
utilizes radio waves to detect and locate objects. This powerful tool is
widely used in various fields such as aviation, meteorology, marine
navigation, and military applications. Understanding radar theory is
essential for students pursuing careers in these industries, as it lays the
groundwork for comprehending how radar systems operate and the
principles behind their functionality.
Radar control systems ensure efficient, accurate, and safe operation of
radar systems across various industries.
Radar Control refers to the system or components regulating and
managing radar system operations. Key aspects include:

Main Components
1. Transmitter Control
2. Receiver Control
3. Antenna Control
4. Signal Processing
5. Display Control
 The Use of Radar in Navigation Interpretation
of the Radar Picture
The radar picture is a plain picture of the ship’s surroundings. Only long
training and experience can teach you to interpret the radar picture quickly
and accurately as well as to identify different targets.

Use of radar to assist in navigation can be divided into 3 categories:

1. Making Landfall
2. Coastal Navigation
3. Pilotage
Landfall- by radar may
give surprises. Always
remember: initial radar
fixes are often not
reliable at long ranges
and when approaching
land, the picture may
change completely
Coastal- navigation requires
experience and vigilance all the
time. The range accuracy of the
radar is generally better than the
bearing accuracy. When bearings
have to be taken, choose isolated
targets of relatively small size
 Using radar for coastal
navigation
While radar range accuracy is high radar bearing accuracy is low when
compared with visual observations. Therefore, the most accurate radar
assisted fixes are obtained in descending order by:

• a combination of visual bearings of prominent objects and radar

ranges
• radar ranges of at least three prominent objects
• radar range and radar bearing of a single prominent feature.
When selecting prominent coastal features for a radar range an object which
is high and steep to in the direction of the observer is the best choice and
the radar range obtained can be related directly to the chart with little or no
error. Three such objects separated in bearing by about 45° will produce the
most accurate fixes.
No coastal feature should be used in a radar fix until the feature has been
positively identified on the chart. In practice when coasting what is done is
to obtain a fix using three known ranges and at the same time take a couple
of ranges of other points on the display which are thought to be prominent
features. After the three identified objects are plotted, the others are
plotted and if they pass through the position, it gives reasonable proof of
identification. After the new objects have been checked in this way a couple
of times they can be used with confidence.
When passing along coasts with off lying dangers a radar range can be
used to pass a danger at a safe distance. This is done by drawing a
range circle on the chart from a prominent feature such as a headland,
then drawing in your DR line tangentially to the danger circle. With the
VRM set at the required distance the vessel can be kept on the
intended track by keeping the heading marker that distance off the
headland. This is even easier to do if you draw a chinagraph line across
the screen, the right distance away from the heading mark and parallel
to it. See figure 10.
In the chart shown above the navigator is fixing his vessel by using a
combination of radar ranges and visual bearings. The navigator has also taken
the added precaution when passing through the narrow sections between
the reefs of plotting range circles from the headlands. By setting the VRM to
the required distance and keeping the radar heading marker that distance off
the headland or even better drawing a line with a chinagraph pencil parallel
to the heading marker, the vessel is assured to travel along the intended
track. This technique is known as blind pilotage or parallel indexing.
Shown below, the navigator has planned his approach to negotiate the
narrow passage between the reefs. The left diagram shows the radar
display superimposed over the chart. The l right diagram shows the
radar display (ship’s head-up) as the navigator sees it. In the right
diagram the VRM has been set to 1 mile and the navigator has drawn a
line with a chinagraph pencil on the screen just touching the VRM and
parallel to the heading marker on the radar screen. To safely negotiate
the passage all the navigator must do is to con his vessel so as to keep
the VRM just touching the pencil line.
PILOTAGE
For navigation in narrow
waters, radar is great device.
The navigator must know radar
shadows. Knowledge is
essential in order to distinguish
clearly between stationary and
moving objects.
Navigational aids
Radar reflectors are fitted to vessels or navigational buoys or other charted
features to improve their reflective properties so as to make them visible to
searching radar. There are two types of radar reflectors
1. passive
2. active

Passive radar reflectors

Vessels or other objects constructed of wood or GRP are almost invisible to radar.
If these craft are to show up on another vessel’s radar they must be equipped
with a radar reflector. All radar reflectors work on the principle of the corner
reflector,when two flat plane plates form a corner, the corner has the ability to
reflect directly back to wherever the signal is coming from.
RADAR REFLECTORS Most radar reflectors are improvements on this
principle, the basis of which is that three plates
at right angles to each other will give the
reflector the ability to reflect a strong signal over
a wide angle, both horizontally and vertically. In
order to cover all angles, radar reflectors are
usually arranged into clusters, the most common
type being the octahedral (8 corner reflectors).
Active radar reflectors
There are two types of active radar reflectors or radar transponders which are used to
assist the navigator to identify charted objects:
1. racons
2. ramarks

Racons
A small pulse transmitter is mounted on the beacon, which when triggered by the radar
pulse of a vessel radiates an identifying signal in all directions. The ship’s scanner can
only receive this signal when the scanner is pointed in the direction of the beacon. So the
pulse will be displayed on the screen at the correct bearing, but because of the slight
delay in transmission, the beginning of the pulse will be displayed at a greater range than
the true echo.
Due to the system of scanning used, the mark will be displayed on the screen only
intermittently or every few sweeps. The true echo of the beacon will appear on the
screen in front of the identification signal, when it is in range.
The above figure shows a Racon (morse code O).
Racons are particularly useful for showing up objects
which otherwise may be difficult to identify, for
instance an important navigation mark in a busy traffic
area, an isolated point on a featureless coastline or
the entrance to an important navigational channel.
The purpose of radar reflector is to direct as much as
possible of the reflected radar energy back to the
radar antenna, which means stronger echoes on the
PPI. RADAR BEACONS  Racon signal appears in PPI
and provides bearing and range of target.
The above figure shows a ramark (radar
marker). Ramarks transmit pulses continuously
or to special time schedules, rather than on
receipt of a vessel’s radar pulse. They appear
on the display as a bright radial line from the
centre of the display to the edge and are
identified by breaking up the radial line into a
series of dots or dashes. Their major
disadvantage is that they may mask other
important echoes on the screen. Ramarks are
now rare, there are none in Australian waters
Search and rescue transponde
(SART’s)
A SART is a portable battery powered radar
transponder which operates on “x-band or 3 cm
radar”. In an emergency situation when the SART
detects the incoming radar pulse from a searching
aircraft or ship it responds by transmitting a
distinctive signal which shows up on the radar
screen of the searching vessel as a series of 12
blips extending approximately 8 nautical miles
outward from the SART’s position along its line of
bearing.
When a SART is not being interrogated by searching radar, the SART’s receiver
is rapidly sweeping the radar band, searching for radar signals. As all marine
radars do not operate on exactly the same frequency within the “x-band”,
there may be a small delay in SART response as the SART locks on to the
searching radar signal. When the SART receiver has locked on to the
searching radar there will be a delay as the SART switches from receive to
transmit mode.
These delays will result in a slight range error, and therefore the first blip of
the SART response may be some distance outside the position corresponding
to the actual location of the SART. At medium ranges of about 6 nm the range
delay may be between 0.6 nm to 150 metres. As
When searching for a SART the IMO recommends that a range scale of 6 or 12
miles (with short pulse selected) be used because the spacing between the
SART responses is about 0.6 nm or 1125 metres and it is necessary to see a
number of responses to distinguish the SART from other responses.

A search and rescue transponder (SART) is shown below.

Anti-collision radar transponders
Anti-collision radar transponders will produce a line of five blips over 1 nm on an
interrogating vessel’s radar screen. A vessel carrying the transponder will also be
alerted to the other vessels presence by a visual or audible warning signal when it is
being interrogated by the other vessel’s radar signal.

THREE MOTION COMPONENTS:

1. The targets relative course and speed is the targets motion in relation to own
ship during the echoes movements across the PPI on a relative motion display. 
2. The targets true course and speed is the targets true motion during the period
of observation. This corresponds to the echo’s movements across the PPI on a true
motion display. 
3. The own ships course and speed are your ships true motion during the period
of observation.
 SYMBOLS FOR RADAR CONTROL
1. Radar Off
2. Radar On
3. Radar Stand By
4. Aerial Rotating
5. North-up Presentation
6. Head-up Presentation
7. Heading Marker Alignment
8. Range Selector
9. Short Pulse
10. Long Pulse
 SYMBOLS FOR RADAR CONTROL
12. Tuning
13. Anti Clutter Rain Minimum
14. Anti Clutter Rain Maximum
15. Anti Clutter Sea Minimum
16. Anti Clutter Sea Maximum
17. Scale Illumination
18. Display Brilliance
19. Range Rings Brilliance
20. Variable Range Marker
21. Bearing Marker
22. Transmitted Power Monitor
 RADAR Controls and Their Functions
• Radar systems are equipped with several controls that help operators manage their
performance. These controls can vary by manufacturer, but they typically include the following:
• Power Control: This control adjusts the radar's transmitted power. Increasing the power can
enhance the radar's range and improve detection capabilities, especially in challenging
environments.
• Range Control: This allows operators to set the maximum distance the radar will scan. By
selecting different range settings, operators can focus on specific areas of interest, whether
detecting nearby objects or tracking distant targets.
• Gain Control: Gain controls help optimize the radar's sensitivity to received signals.
Adjusting the gain can enhance the ability to detect weaker signals from distant objects while
minimizing background noise.
• Antenna Control: This refers to the ability to adjust the orientation of the radar antenna,
which can affect the direction and area being scanned. Operators can direct the radar to focus on
specific sectors for more accurate data collection.
• Display Controls: These controls manage what is shown on the radar screen, including
adjusting brightness, contrast, and the display mode. Various modes can provide different visual
representations of data, such as maps or plots
 Functions:
1. Mode Selection: Chooses operating modes (e.g., transmission, standby).
2. Range Selection: Sets radar range scales.
3. Gain Control: Adjusts signal sensitivity.
4. Frequency Selection: Chooses radar frequency bands.
5. Scan Control: Regulates antenna rotation speed and direction.
6. Target Detection: Identifies and tracks targets.
7. Alarm and Warning Systems: Triggers alerts for potential collisions or system
malfunctions.
Understanding these controls is vital for effectively operating radar systems,
ensuring accurate data interpretation, and making informed decisions based
on radar information.
Types of Radar Control

1. Manual Control: Operator-adjusted settings.

2. Automatic Control: System-adjusted settings.
3. Remote Control: External control via software or
hardware.
4. Integrated Control: Combines radar with other
navigation systems (e.g., ECDIS, AIS).
Characteristics of Radar
Radar systems possess several key characteristics that define their operation and
effectiveness:
• Wavelength: The wavelength of radar signals determines the radar's
resolution and ability to detect objects. Shorter wavelengths provide higher
resolution, making it easier to distinguish between closely spaced objects.
• Pulse Width: This refers to the duration of the transmitted radar pulse.
Shorter pulse widths can improve resolution but may reduce the radar's ability to
detect distant objects. Conversely, longer pulse widths enhance detection range
but may compromise detail.
• Doppler Effect: The Doppler effect is a phenomenon where the frequency of
the radar signal changes based on the relative motion between the radar and the
target. This effect is crucial for determining the speed of moving objects, making it
an essential component in applications such as traffic monitoring and aviation.
Characteristics of Radar
• Beamwidth: Beamwidth is the angle of the radar beam, which
affects the area being scanned. A narrow beamwidth provides higher
resolution but covers a smaller area, while a wider beamwidth covers a
larger area but with less detail.
• Clutter Rejection: Radar systems must distinguish between actual
targets and background noise or clutter. Effective clutter rejection
techniques enhance the radar's ability to focus on relevant signals,
improving overall performance.
These characteristics play a significant role in shaping how radar systems
detect, track, and identify objects in various environments.
 Functions of Different Controls Used in Radar
Operation
Each control on a radar system has specific functions that contribute to the overall
operation of the radar. Understanding these functions is crucial for effective radar
operation:
• Power Control Function: By adjusting the power, operators can optimize the radar's
performance in different environmental conditions. For instance, in clear weather, lower
power may suffice, while adverse conditions may require higher power levels for effective
detection.
• Range Control Function: The range control allows operators to tailor the radar's
scanning capabilities to suit the mission objectives. For example, marine radar may need to
focus on short ranges while navigating coastal waters, while air traffic control radar may
need to scan longer distances to track aircraft.
• Gain Control Function: Adjusting the gain is vital for balancing signal strength against
background noise. This function helps ensure that important signals are not lost in clutter,
Functions of Different Controls
Used in Radar Operation
• Antenna Control Function: The ability to control the antenna's
orientation is crucial for tracking moving targets. Operators can adjust
the antenna to follow the target's path, ensuring continuous data
collection and accurate tracking.
• Display Control Function: Effective display control allows
operators to visualize radar data in a way that is most useful for their
specific needs. By adjusting display settings, operators can enhance
their situational awareness and make better-informed decisions.
In a Summary: Radar theory encompasses a range of concepts, including
the identification of controls, understanding radar characteristics, and
recognizing the functions of various controls in radar operation.
Mastering these elements is essential for students pursuing careers in
fields that rely on radar technology. As radar continues to evolve,
understanding its fundamental principles will remain crucial for future
advancements and applications. The ability to operate radar systems
effectively can lead to improved safety, efficiency, and innovation across
various industries.