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• Access: The scanner unit site should be easily accessible to allow mainte-
nance to be carried out safely.
• Magnetic compass: Mount the scanner unit at least 1 m away from a mag-
netic compass.
• Cable run: The maximum length of cable between the display unit and the
scanner unit should not normally exceed 20 m (60 ft) for radome scanners, or
15 m (45 ft) for open array scanners. If you need to use a longer cable power
cable lengths must be considered, refer to
Section 1.4 Cable Runs
to deter-
mine appropriate lengths.
• Shadow sectors and false echoes: Mount the scanner away from large
structures or equipment, such as the fly bridge, large engine stacks, search-
lights, horns, or masts. It is particularly important to avoid shadow sectors
near the bow. Raising or even lowering the scanner may help to reduce these
effects.
In shadow areas beyond the obstruction there will be a reduction of the
beam intensity, although not necessarily a complete cut-off; there will be a
blind sector if the subtended angle is more than a few degrees.
In some shadow sectors the beam intensity may not be sufficient to obtain an
echo from a very small object, even at close range, despite the fact that a
large vessel can be detected at a much greater range. For this reason the
angular width and relative bearing of any shadow sector must be determined
at installation. Sometimes shadowing can be seen by increasing the radar
gain until noise is present. Dark sectors indicate possible shadowed areas.
This information should be posted near the display unit and operators must
be alert for targets in these blind sectors.
It should also be noted that wet sails create shadow areas and thus sail boat
operators should be aware that radar performance may reduce in rain.
If you mount the scanner on a mast, echoes from the mast may appear on the
radar display. These can be minimized by placing absorbing material, such as
a block of wood, between the scanner and mast.
• Platform rigidity/stability: The scanner platform should not twist (caus-
ing bearing errors) or be subject to excessive vibration.
• Heat/fumes: Mount the scanner away from the top of exhaust stacks, since
the scanner and cables can be damaged by excessive heat and the corrosive
effects of exhaust gases.
For open array scanners you should also consider the following points: