Product specifications

Chapter 3: Standard Radar Operations 3-1

Introduction

Chapter 3: Standard Radar Operations

3.1 Introduction

This chapterprovides detailed instructionsforthe standard operationsof your

Pathfinder radar. Additional functions, that are available on integrated

systemswithappropriate datasources,are describedin Chapter 4.If youhave

a combined radar/chart display refer to Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 for

information on charting operations.

You canusethis chapterwith the radar displayset to simulatormode, oron the

water after you have installed and set up your Pathfinder system.

This chapter covers the following topics:

• Range control.

• Interpreting and adjusting the radar picture, including adjusting the gain,

sea clutter and rain clutter, changing the targets display, and tuning the

radar.

• Measuring range (distances) and bearings using Variable Range Markers

(VRMs) and Electronic Bearing Lines (EBLs).

• Setting up guard zones and handling alarms.

• Using MARPA for target tracking and risk analysis.

Note: Until you are familiar with interpreting the radar display, you should

take every opportunity to compare the radar’s display patterns with visual

targets, such as other vessels, buoys and coastal structures. You should prac-

ticeharbour andcoastal navigationduringdaylight andin clear weathercon-

ditions.

If you have a combined radar/chartplotter or have an

hsb

series Chartplotter

as part of an integrated system,you can identify objects using either the radar/

chart overlay (see Radar/Chart Overlay on page 2-23) or the cursor echo

feature:Withcursor echo on (seeSection 4.5and Chapter 7) youcan selectan

object on the radar display, the cursor is repeated on the chart display so you

can check the object’s identity.