Radar Reflectors

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (do335) — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 09:23:28 GMT

If you read the tests on the URL's I included above, it appears it might be better to hang the reflector in the "half rain catcher" position. They note that the rain catcher position is the best if the boat never heels, but that the half rain catcher position is best when you assume the boat will be heeling frequently.

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (nickwigen) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 05:46:53 GMT

The reports I've seen say the Echomaster works best in what they call the "rain catcher" positon as this presents the best positions for a retroreflection of the radar signal. For that you want one of the pockets of the reflector to to face upward. This can be done with a small 3-point harness top and bottom.

Nick Wigen

Ursa Minor #178

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (svzephyr44) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:26:25 GMT

Sounds like you don't want them to spin. I will give your idea a try. Thanks for the advice

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (pwinterfeld) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:41:14 GMT

What a great idea Bob - why didn't I think of that?? I followed your advice and finally the thing (Davis Reflector) has stopped dancing around. I coctacted a tug that was crossing in front of me and they had not seen meon radar even with the reflector spinning away. So for the next long trip an AIS receiver will be on board.

Peter
C'est la Vie
Hull #746

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (bob776) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 05:34:12 GMT

svzephyr44; I have the same unit Garry suggested and they (apparently) work. I've talked to ships when crossing the Gulf Stream and they acknowledge our target. The only problem is with the single line attached to each end (most people run this up a flag halyard) they tend to spin in the breeze. They will wind up tight, unwind and start over again. Here's a fix; hold the unit upright and drill a small hole in one of the horizontal surfaces. Next you need some small line. The length...

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (svzephyr44) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:53:14 GMT

Thanks all, will let you know how we place. BTW, the Chi-Mac puts transponders on the boats, so you can track us starting on Bastille Day (July 14) at www.chicagoyachtclub.com then follow the links to race tracking.

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (garrywillis) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:22:29 GMT

Roger,
Most racers use the Davis Echomaster for a radar reflector.

http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/list_marine.asp?grp=m21-4

It is lite, inexpensive, folds flat and does a reasonable job of reflecting radar beams according to the tests submitted in the previous response.

Good luck in the race and let us know how you did.

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (do335) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:27:37 GMT

Here are some web articles on radar reflectors so you can judge for yourself.
http://www.ussailing.org/safety/Studies/radar_reflector_test.htm
http://www.tri-lens.com/practical_sailor.txt

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (svzephyr44) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:10:55 GMT

This seems to have been the case for years. The Sea-Me is about $1000 all in and requires 12 Volt power up the mast. All the rest have poor performance. In addition, the local commerical captains tell me that their new radars can see sailboats - in fact they can see our racing buoys. Then of course there is the question - do I just get an AIS receiver and a cheap reflector or spend 1,000 bucks on a radar reflector that would be irrelevant if I spent the $1,000 on an AIS transceiver. Any...

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (davidirvine) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:40:35 GMT

There is an interesting feature in this month's UK Practical Boat Owner magazine comparing radar reflectors. The main conclusion seems to be that the conventional reflectors are all almost totally useless. The only product that worked well in the trial was the 'Sea Me' radar enhancer. It gave an excellent result but it is expensive. The trial followed an accident when a yacht was lost with all hands when it was hit by a ferry. The Octahedral reflector fitted to the yacht did not...

Re: Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (do335) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:51:26 GMT

There was an article in Crusing World or Sail in the last year that compared different radar reflectors for effectiveness and cost. You might try searching their past articles. I believe the larger Davis aluminum radar reflector is usually considered the best value for a radar reflector.

Radar Reflectors

feeds@yuku.com (svzephyr44) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:52:49 GMT

As part of the required safety equipment for the Chicago Mac race I need to equip Reboot with a radar reflector. What works? What's cheap and works? etc.!

Roger

Reboot

#493