User Manual
Reference number: 4111A-RADAR4600-GBD-R1.1
Date: 27 February 2018
Page 126 of 149
7.10.3
Active Radar Target Enhancer - RTE
Small boats with weak reflection surface, like sailing boats, may use an active target enhancer - RTE. These
power supplied units are transmitting a long omni directional pulse in the radar frequency band, as soon
they receive a radar signal from another vessel. This transmitted signal produces a big target on the radar
image, which seems to be a huge target, like a coaster, because it is equivalent to about a 60m² reflection
surface.
7.10.4
Corner reflectors as passive enhancers
Targets with only little or poor reflection areas like buoys, glass fibre and wooden boats are difficult to
detect. Therefore they are mostly equipped with special corner reflectors.
A corner reflector returns striking radar energy back into same direction from which it is received. Special
constructions of multiple corner designs make it possible to reflect radar waves which are received from all
radial directions.
A small boat, equipped with high quality multi array reflectors achieves a clearly bigger and sharper echo
image than without reflector. It will be shown enhanced on radar screen.
7.10.5
Adapted radar settings for SART/RACON targets
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High RAIN-setting may suppress SART- and RACON-indication. If those kinds of echoes are expected,
RAIN setting should be reduced from time to time.
-
Additional the Interference Rejection (IR) should be switched to Off.
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In case the radar picture is obscured with too many echo signals, detune the receiver a little for better
observation.
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When own ship approaches the transmitting Radar Beacon or the SART, the echoes will become blurred
in an arc. For better observation of those signals, adjust the Gain, Anti-clutter Sea and RAIN controls, as
appropriate.
