ECHOMAX Active-X-Band User manual

CONTENTS
Echomax Active-X antenna
24 Meters of 2 core cable
Control box
Operation manual
Optional extras are available see page 4.
MOUNTING BASE MOUNTED UNIT
The antenna has provisions in the base for 1 inch—14NF
female thread mast fitting or deck mount bracket. To ensure a
permanent fixing ‘LOCTITE’ or PTFE or
plumbers tape should be used and the RTE must be screwed
down tightly. CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT AS
THE ACTIVE– X IS TIGHTENED ON THE BASE THE
CABLE IS ALLOWED TO TURN FREELY
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE INSTALLING YOUR ACTIVE RTE.
MOUNTING SUSPENDED UNIT
Free suspension from the two back stays in most cases allows
compensation by the bottom attachment from heel, thus
retaining most of the 112m² stated performance level whilst
the vessel is at heel. The RTE must not be subjected to winch
pressure and cable secured to avoid chafing. Each RTE is
supplied with 24M of cable as standard. Careful
consideration should be given to evaluate if this
mounting option is suitable for your rig and use.
Please note that mast top mounting may result in
frequent activation due to large horizon.
Lower installation may be preferred.
ACTIVATION BY VESSELS OWN RADAR
It is to be expected that use of the vessels own radar will
illuminate the green LED. The Active-X RTE will treat this as a
third party radar and will continue to receive and respond to all
other radar.
For mast fitting the Active-X antenna should be fitted
vertically at masthead or as illustrated. The transmit
antennas are positioned 70mm from the base of the
Active-X and need a clear 360° azimuth. When fitted at
mast head keep as far away as possible from other fittings
to reduce shadowing using the Echomax mast bracket. The
antenna will not interfere electrically with other mast head
fittings. It should not be fitted on a back stay or where its
vision is obscured or is close to any metal object otherwise
performance could be significantly impaired.
Echomax Control Box for Surface fitting or flush
mount fitting with optional flush mount kit
The control box must be fitted internally as it is not waterproof.
The control box can be wired from the base or the back as
required. A 12v fused or circuit breaker supply of 3-5A is
required. The control box has a triple alarm facility.
The Active-X unit should not be painted as this may
seriously impair performance. The Active -X must not be fitted in
or close to the vessels radar transmitting beam width of 28 ° as
this may seriously damage the PCB. The Active-X can be fitted
below or preferably above the radar. It is possible to shorten or
extend the cable by a further 25 meters without affecting the
performance using extension cable rated at 3A at 300V
CONTROL BOX FUNCTION
Turn on the red power switch. Once this is turned on the unit is
in the quiescent mode and will consume up to 15mA. When
interrogated by a radar the green LED light will flash every 2.4
seconds. If the flash lengthens then this indicates that more
than one radar is painting the antenna. If painted by a high
speed radar which rotates every 1.5 seconds then the LED light
will flash quicker. Turning on the green switch will mobilize the
internal buzzer, which is set to actuate for approximately half a
second intervals. The control box also has facilities for a 8A
external volt free alarm. THIS IS NOT A POWER SOURCE and
must be initialised as shown in the wiring diagram.
The control box has an externally replaceable 0.5A fuse and is
surge and cross polarity protected.
NB– ISOLATE POWER SUPPLY during installation, alteration or
repair of wiring.
REMOVAL OF FUSE.
Gently push fuse in and turn anti-clockwise and then remove.
Failure to do this will damage the aluminium connections
IMPORTANT
The fitting of the Echomax Active-X Band RTE does not exclude
you from exercising safe navigational judgement for your vessel
under the International Regulations for the Prevention of
collisions at Sea and to keep a proper look out at all times.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Many countries and administrations require a ships radio
license or modification of your existing ships radio licence
before Active-X can be used for maritime use. Contact your local
administration for details.
ECHOMAX ACTIVE-X COMPONENTS, CONSTRUCTION
USE AND INSTALLATION. If you are not able to safely in-
stall the unit yourself you are advised to seek the services of
a competent person or company to install the Active-X

BASIC OPERATION— NO EXTERNAL ALARM
RTE CONNECTIONS The diagrams show the correct wiring installation
PERFORMANCE CHECK
As the RCS of your vessel may exceed the RCS of
the Active-X, the trial is best carried out at 0.5nm as
the target can be easily identified. The range should
then be increased at intervals of 0.5nm turning the
Active X on and off at intervals noting the change in
response. Increase the distance between the
Active-X and the bare target, so that the test target
can be seen at all times. In busy waters to avoid
confusion with other vessels the target vessel can
be acquired by turning the Active-X on and off, then
watching the display for change in target response.
In normal weather and sea conditions, with the
Active-X and interrogating radar mounted at four
meters above sea level the Active-X should appear
on the radar screen.
If the mounting heights,
including that of the
interrogating radar vary so will the response due to
the curvature of the earth. These figures are for
guidance only and should not be relied upon.
2KW radar up to 4nm: 5KW radar up to 10nm:
10-25KW radar up to 15-30 nm
For restricted response to FMWC-Broadband Radar
Please see FAQ Section on website.
DO NOT EXPECT to always see by the naked eye the
vessel or land based interrogating radar which may
be +/-30 miles away and principally below the
horizon. Reports of 60 miles reception have been
recorded.
No Red LED light when red switch is turned on Check fuse or circuit breaker
Check polarity of wiring
Check power supply at control box
Unit switched on and continuous green
LED light Shows, in harbour or when
saturating Active-X
Local Radar on, or radar operating moored nearby (<15M)
Moored close to large metal object. Check polarity of Active-X wiring
Relocate vessel to more suitable position
Unit and buzzer on and unit fails to operate
when it clearly is interrogated
Check all above faults. Is Active-X in shadow
Buzzer switched on but does not sound
when painted by radar
Buzzer faulty—return control box to Echomax for Inspection,
FAULT FINDING CHART
Damaged cable or wrong connection
Cable cut with power on check fuse
Reception frequency: X Band Radar 9.3-9.5 GHz
Operating Temperature: -20 to + 60°C
Voltage: 12V DC - + 30% - 10% (voltage
Surge and cross polarity protected)
Current consumption
In quiescent state: <15mA
Current consumption X Band Radar 190mA (typically)
When transmitting
Position accuracy: Within 1 metre
EIRP: 1W (typically)
Typical performance-QinetiQ Funtington Anechoic
Chamber March 2010.
X BAND RADAR SPL (Stated performance level)
(ISO Standard 7.5m²)
Zero degrees: 111.36m²
+/- 10 degrees: 78.96m²
+/- 20 degrees: 20.80m²
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Antenna length: 478mm
Antenna width: 40.5mm
Antenna weight: 327gms (excluding cable)
Control Box width: 92mm
Control Box height: 51mm
Control Box depth: 38mm
Control Box weight: 99gms
Cable length: 25m 2 core 0.5mm²
Cable weight: 967 gms
STATED PERFORMANCE LEVEL (SPL)
Exceeds ISO 8729-2 effective July 09-X Band Radar 7.5m²
At Zero, +/-10 and 20 degrees of heel maintained over
a total angle of 280 degrees

GUARANTEE
The Echomax Active-X Band RTE is guaranteed for 12 months
from the date of purchase and provides for the replacement at
our discretion of the complete unit or any of the components
providing failure is attributed to component failure or defect
which is not attributed to accidents, misuse, fair wear and
tear or neglect.
The guarantee is invalidated by any attempt whatsoever to
open up or interfere in any way with the unit.
It is the users responsibility to return the unit at his expense to
us to inspect and report on the reason for failure.
No exchange unit will be given until a full inspection and
report is issued.
This guarantee does not affect your statutory consumer rights
or those governed by
local Law.
FLUSHMOUNT WATERPROOF CONTROL BOX
New slim line flush mount waterproof control box
features:
Keypad operation: X or X & S Band LED to match your single
or dual band RTE
Selectable audio alarm sensitivity
Selectable day or night time illumination brightness
Extension alarm facility
DIMENSIONS
Control Box width: 90mm
Control Box height: 72mm
Control Box depth: 50mm (excluding provision for cables)
Cut out diameter is 57mm
Free Standing Bracket as below
STAINLESS STEEL DECK MOUNTING BRACKETS
100mm Base fitting: male 1/14 TPI thread
200mm Base fitting: male 1/14 TPI thread
300mm Base fitting: male 1/14 TPI thread
300mm Stainless Steel Extension Pole: female/male 1/14 TPI
600mm Stainless Steel Extension Pole: female/male 1/14 TPI
1000mm Stainless Steel Extension Pole: female/male 1/14 TPI
Active-X mast bracket: 26cm reach with male 1/14TPI
FLUSH MOUNT KIT FOR CONTROL BOX
Length: 111mm Height:70mm
Specifications given in this manual are subject to change without notification
For comparison with
competing products
see:
www.echomax.co.uk
EMAXM UK 0321
John H. Simpson Managing Director September 2009
The Technical Construction File is held by:-
John H Simpson
AQUAMATE PRODUCTS LTD. Also trading as ECHOMAX
Dunmow
Essex
U.K.
Tel: [phone]
Email:[email protected].uk

EN60945:2002 (Clauses 9,10 & 12)
And complies with the essential requirements of Directive
1999/5/EC. CE 0191: Performance requirements of ISO 8729-2
X Band Radar.
Conformity procedure under Annex IV of 1999/5/EC (Technical
Construction File) has been undertaken by QinetiQ (0191) of
Cody Technology Park, Ively Road, Farnborough GU14 0LX
UK.
Declaration of Conformity
(As required by Article 6.3 of Directive 1999/5/EC-RTTE
Directive) Declares under his sole responsibility that the active
radar target enhancer manufactured by:
AQUAMATE PRODUCTS LTD. Also trading as
ECHOMAX
Dunmow
Essex
U.K
Telephone + 00 44(0) 1371 830216
Email: [e-mail]
Intended for Worldwide use as an X Band active radar target
enhancer aboard non SOLAS vessels and identified by the
type number Active-X to which this declaration refers has
been tested to the essential radio, EMC and safety tests
required by the notified body and is in conformity with the
standards.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS