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Chapter 3: Standard Radar Operations 3-5
Identifying False Echo
Returns
. t
Identifying False Echo Returns
Not all echoes are direct returns to the radar antenna. Occasionally signals
appear at positions where there is no actual target. These are called false
echoes, and may be caused by side lobes, ghost images, indirect echoes or
multiple echoes.
This section briefly describes the echo patterns that can be produced by false
echoes and the likely cause. It should be noted that the radar operator, through
observation, practice, and experience, can generally detect these conditions
very quickly. These effects can usually be minimized using the radar controls.
Side Lobes
A small part of the RF energy from each transmitted pulse is radiated outside
the single narrow beam. This produces side lobe patterns, shown in
Figure 3-3.
Side lobes have no effect on distant or small surface objects. However, the
echo from a large object at short range may produce an arc on the radar screen
similar to a range ring or a series of echoes forming a broken arc. Side-lobe
echoes normally occur at ranges below 3nm, and can be reduced by adjusting
the
SEA control.
Figure 3-3: Side Lobes
Table 3-3: Controls to Adjust the Radar Picture
Control Option Function Default Setting
GAIN GAIN
SEA
RAIN
FTC
Controls the strength of the target returns
Reduces sea returns
Reduces close rain or snow returns
Reduces distant rain or snow returns
AUTO
AUTO-HARBOUR
OFF
OFF
MULTI TUNE Fine tunes the receive AUTO
TARGETS
Soft Key
INT REJ
EXPANSION
WAKES
Turns interference rejection on/off
Turns target expansion on/off
Turns wakes on/off and selects wakes length
ON
OFF
OFF
True echo Side echoes
Main lobe
Antenna
Arc
Side lobe Side lobe
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81186_2.book Page 5 Monday, December 17, 2001 8:35 AM