DON'T DO THIS!
DON'T install the scanner too high up, where its weight will alter the stability of the vessel
and cause degradation of the radar picture over short ranges (see "How to find the
optimum height for the scanner").
DON'T install the scanner close to lamps or exhaust outlets. The heat emissions may cause
the equipment to breakdown and soot and smoke will degrade the performance of the
radar.
DON'T install the scanner close to the antennas of other equipment such as direction
finders, VHF antennas, GPS equipment and so on, because it may cause interference.
DON'T install the scanner where a large obstruction (such as an exhaust stack) is at the
same level as the beam, because the obstruction is likely to generate false echoes and/or
shadow zones.
DON'T install the scanner where it will be subjected to strong vibrations (such as a derrick
post) because these vibrations will degrade the performance of the radar.
DON'T install an open array close to halyards or flags because the wind could wrap these
around the scanner and jam it.
DON'T install the scanner inside of the recommended compass safe distances of any navigation instruments such
as the magnetic compass and the chronometer. The compass safe distances are as follows:
2 kW radar
STD 2.3 ft (0.7 m)
STEER 1.6 ft (0.5 m)
4 kW radar
STD 6.5 ft (2.0 m)
STEER 5 ft (1.5 m)
6 kW radar
STD 7.5 ft (2.3 m)
STEER 5.7 ft (1.75 m)
10 kW radar
STD 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
STEER 6 ft (1.8 m)
25 kW radar
STD 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
STEER 6 ft (1.8 m)
2.1.1
Power boat installations
Normally, you should install the scanner horizontally, to produce an equal sweep around the power
boat:
8
Northstar 6 kW Radar Installation Manual
