RHOTHETA User Manual RT-800
Page 164 of 192
8 Installation and Configuration
8.1 General Information
For static bearing applications like e.g., VTS (vessel traffic service), a high bearing accuracy
is demanded. For this purpose, the antenna unit has to be calibrated in order to compensate
minor unbalances in rotation (the RT-800 antenna unit is already calibrated bevore delivery),
but especially the antenna position at the installation site has to be chosen properly.
In case of perturbing site conditions resp. restrictions caused by the building or the
environment, the bearing accuracy might be disturbed. This physical effect generally is valid
for all bearing systems.
8.2 Installation Recommendation
The quality of the bearing results depends largely on the position of the antenna. A position
has to be found, where the transmitter´s wavefield can reach the bearing antenna as
undisturbed as possible.
If high bearing accuracy is demanded, no metallic resp. RF-conducting obstacles may be
located around the antenna unit in an angle of ± 45° towards the horizontal (s. Fig. 170).
The only exception is a correctly installed Lightning Protection Rod, optional available by
RHOTHETA.
Objects in the “restricted area” will disturb the arriving wave field. Reflections will arise which
might disturb bearing and so decrease the bearing accuracy. This physical effect generally is
valid for all bearing systems. In practice, often a compromise has to be found between
direction finding and other interests.
