Radar Target Enhancer
Radar Target Enhancer
Active-X-BandActive-X-Band
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The Echomax Active-X Radar Target Enhancer (RTE) is designed to respond to interrogating X band radar
(9.3 – 9.5GHz) by receiving a transmitted pulse and amplifying the pulse and re-transmitting the pulse back to
the radar at the same frequency with minimum delay, thereby improving the radar detection range and
visibility of small targets. It will not enhance significantly vessels with large radar cross section.
The RTE is primarily intended for small vessels with no radar fitted and typically should enhance the
RCS (radar cross section) of vessels up to 25M in length. For small craft/rigid inflatables improvements will
start to be seen at around 1-2 miles extending to 8-10 miles or more depending on prevailing conditions. The
response of the RTE will vary according to range, RTE and radar height above sea level, radar power and
condition. Poor weather, sea state and precipitation will greatly reduce the response.
IMPORTANT
The fitting of the Echomax Active-X 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 install the unit yourself
you are advised to seek the services of a competent
person or company to install the RTE.
COMPONENTS
Echomax Active-X mast head radome fitted with
25 meters of 2 core cable
Control box
Operation manual
RADOME FITTING
The antenna has provisions in the base for a 1 inch -14
NF female thread mast fitting or deck mount bracket.
Plastic mounts should not be used. 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 RTE is tightened
on the base the cable is allowed to turn freely.
For mast fitting the radome should be fitted vertically
at masthead or as illustrated on the following page.
The transmit antennas are positioned 70mm from the
base of the radome and need a clear 360 degree
azimuth. When fitted at mast head keep as far away
from other fittings to reduce shadowing using the
Echomax mast bracket. The radome 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.
The radome unit must never be painted as this will
seriously impair performance. The radome must not
be fitted in or close to the vessels radar transmitting
ECHOMAX CONTROL BOX for surface fittin
or flush mount fittin with optional flush
mount kit
The control box must be fitted internally as it is not
waterproof and can be wired from the base or back as
required. A 12v fused or circuit breaker supply of 3-5A
is required.
The control box has a triple alarm facility.
Once the red power switch 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.
beam width of 28 degrees as this may seriously damage
the PCB. The RTE 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.
RTE CONNECTIONS
The diagrams show the correct wiring installation
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Reception frequency X band (9.3-9.5GHz) S band (2.9-3.1GHz)
Position Accuracy Within 1 meter
Dimensions and Weight of radome ex cable L 478mm W 40.5mm wt 327 grms
Cable 24M 2 core 0.5mm2wt 969grms
Base Mounting 1 inch – 14 NF female thread
Dimensions of control box W 92mm H 51mm D 38mm
Externally accessible fuse 0.5A
Power supply 12V DC + 30% - 10% voltage surge- cross polarity
protected
Standby current consumption in quiescent state < 15mA
5 interrogating radar 23mA (typically)
10 interrogating radar 32mA (typically)
EIRP 1W (typically)
Stated Performance Level (SPL) Exceeds ISO 87292-2 X Band requirement of 7.5M2SPL
at Zero, +/-10 and 20 degrees of heel✽
Compass safe distance 1 metre
✽Active-X tested QinetiQ - Funtington 13th March 09
zero degrees 111.36M2
+/- 10 degrees of heel 78.96M2
+/- 20 degrees of heel 20.80M2
BASIC OPERATION – NO EXTERNAL ALARM
OPERATION – WITH EXTERNAL ALARM
PWR RTF
BROWN
SHIPS SUPPLY
TO ACTIVE-X ANTENNA
TO ACTIVE-X ANTENNA
BLUE
BROWN
SWITCH
CONNECT ‘LNK’ TO ‘BN’TERMINAL. INCLUDE
SWITCH IN CIRCUIT TO GIVE ON/OFF
CONTROL OF EXTERNAL ALARM FACILITY
BLUE
+12V
SHIPS SUPPLY
+12V
0V
0V +12V LNK DL DN
PWR RTF
0V +12V LNK DL DNEXT ALRM
PERFORMANCE CHECK
As the RCS of your vessel may exceed the RCS of the RTE, the trial is best carried out at 0.5 nm as the target can be
easily identified. The range should then be increased at intervals of 0.5 nm and the RTE switched on and off noting the
change in response. As the range increases the bare target will not be seen and whilst moving the RTE is left on so that
the test target can be seen at all times. This is important in busy waters to avoid confusion with other vessels.
If the target is lost it can be acquired by turning the RTE on and off and watching the display for change in target response.
In normal weather and sea conditions, with RTE and interrogating radar mounted at four metres above sea level should
respond on the radar screen as shown below. If the mounting heights, including that of the interrogating radar vary so
will the response due to curvature of the earth. These figures are for guidance only and should not be relied upon.
2KW radar up to 4 nm 5KW radar up to 10 nm 10-25KW radar up to 15-30+ nm
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.
ACTIVATION BY VESSELS OWN RADAR
It is to be expected that use of the vessels own radar will illuminate the green LED. The RTE will treat this as a third
party radar and will continue to receive and respond to all other radar.
CONTROL BOX
SWITCH
SHIPS
SUPPLY
LAMP
EXTERNAL ALARM
+12V
-12V
SWITCHED
CONTACT
(RELAY) FOR
EXTERNAL ALARM
▲
0V
FAULT FINDING CHART
No Red LED light when red switch Check fuse or circuit breaker
is turned on Check polarity of wiring
Check power supply at control box
Damaged cable or wrong connection
Cable cut with power on check fuse
Unit switched on and continuous green Local radar on, or radar operating moored nearby (<15M)
LED light shows, in harbour or when Moored close to large metal object
saturating RTE Check polarity of radome wiring
Relocate vessel to more suitable position
Unit on and buzzer on and unit fails to Check all above faults. Is RTE in shadow of
operate when it clearly is interrogated interrogating radar as it will not operate if masked
Buzzer switched on but does not sound Buzzer faulty – return control box to Echomax
when painted by radar for inspection
