[Rhodes22-list] The Cat

[Arthur H. Czerwonky]

Robert,
My thanks for your thorough and thoughtful reply.  Ever heard of any Rhoadie using one of the commercial radars?  It would probably have to install above the spreader, probably a weight problem.
Art


-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
>Sent: Sep 20, 2007 10:31 AM
>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] The Cat
>
>"Arthur H. Czerwonky" wrote:
>> Robert,
>> Where would you find the plotting radar ping detector? 
>> Would it cover the normal bandwidths fully?
>
>================================================
>
>Art, here are some thoughts:
>
>I wish I knew where a plotting radar ping detector could 
>be had at any price.  The problem is that unless the ping 
>originates under your control, you cannot get a distance 
>reading - no elapsed time info.  Not something I'll wait 
>for.
>
>--------------------------
>
>The bearing info is possible to suss out, given some sort 
>of directional antenna, but would be pretty expensive on 
>a one-off basis.  Apparently, such a device is on the 
>market.  See:
>
>   http://www.survivalsafety.com/
>
>(quoting another) The best option available is called a 
>Collision Avoidance Radar Detector. They sell for somewhere 
>around $500. 
>
>In foggy conditions- exactly the conditions you would 
>really want a radar warning receiver- a small boat might 
>become invisible to marine radar due to temperature 
>gradients. The same effect might reduce the range of the 
>radar warning receiver.
>
>Marine radars operate on X band and S band.
>
>(end quote)
>
>(another opinion) If you are going to run in open water 
>or commercial shipping lanes the Collision Avoidance 
>Radar Detector (CARD)is must and is very cheap insurance.  
>Every boat that I venture out into the Gulf of Mexico 
>now will have a least a working 5 mile radar and the 
>CARD.  If running in fog or at night keep the radio 
>turned on the hailing channel.  Another inexpensive piece 
>of equipment that you can use is a Radar Reflector.  
>
>This is metallic shape with right angles, newer ones make 
>you really lite up,  that will greatly improve your 
>signature on someone’s radar screen even if your boat is 
>equipped with a tuna tower or flying bridge.  Back in the 
>pretransistor days we wanted to be stealthy to keep our 
>fishing spots secret, not anymore.  
>
>I don’t have the spec’s on the new 35 mile radar but the 
>old one we had operated in the X-band.  You also might 
>want check with the radar detector makers about using a 
>360? detector on a boat.  If you  detect a signal start 
>looking and talking
>
>(end quote)
>
>--------------------------------
>
>There is talk of encoding ping info with the boat ID, 
>which would at least let you know that the Cat is in 
>the vicinity.  Nothing tangible that I have heard of 
>yet.  Not a good bet.
>
>There is also talk of transponders on boats, like those 
>on aircraft, that would give ID info, also warning of 
>the Cat's presence, but that would require initiating a 
>signal to trigger it.  If you have to initiate a signal, 
>you might as well go with a regular radar rig.
>
>If you rigged a transponder on your own boat, it could 
>enhance your radar signature beyond what a normal radar 
>reflector would do.  But if the Cat is within 1/2 mile, 
>they probably can't see you no matter what you do.
>
>(quoting) I believe there are minimum ranges that radar 
>can see due to clutter. If you're moored in a harbor and 
>start out when a large vessell is 1/2 mile away, they 
>may never see you. Plus, would they know you compared to 
>the large rock behind you. Maybe not.
>
>I don't trust radar reflectors unless you are in open 
>ocean.
>
>(end quote)
>
>Frankly, even if the Cat could see you, it might not 
>alter course anyway.  It has no props to get tangled in 
>your rigging as it pulverizes you, so why would they 
>care?  No witnesses...
>
>I figure that I'll have to take responsibility for my 
>own safety, no matter what the law says or does -- just 
>like on shore.
>-------------------------------------
>
>References:
>
>http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=144969&page=1
>
>http://www.survivalsafety.com/
>
>---------------------------------------
>
>Hope this helps shed some light on the subject,
>-- 
>Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven" 
>Gorham, Maine         04038-1331
>s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> >From: Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
>> >I'm thinking that a major radar reflector AND plotting
>> >radar ping detector might be a damn good idea.  We Maine
>> >cruisers now have to deal with a 55 MPH catamaran ferry:...
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