2 change the radar gain setting, 3 what is sea clutter, 4 change the sea clutter mode – NorthStar Navigation NorthStar 8000i User Manual
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Northstar 8000i Operation Manual
22.2
Change the radar gain setting
You can use this to adjust the sensitivity of the radar receiver. Ideally, the radar
gain should be set so that background noise is just visible on the Radar screen.
Any changes are global and apply to all the Radar screens.
If the radar gain is too low, weak echoes won't be shown. If the radar gain is too
high, strong echoes will be difficult to see amongst the large amount of
background noise.
The radar gain is shown as a percentage.
(If the radar Gain Mode is set to Auto and you adjust the gain setting manually, the
Gain Mode is changed to Manual.)
To change the radar gain setting:
1. Display
the
Radar screen and control panel. If you can't see the
Adjust Radar button, select Return.
2. Select
Adjust Radar.
3. Select
Gain and a slider box appears. The current setting is shown as
a line within a solid bar of color and as a percentage.
4. Drag the line, or use the rotary knob, to change the radar gain setting.
5. Select
OK to confirm the new setting. The new setting is applied
immediately to all the Radar screens and stays until you change it
again.
6. When you are finished, select Return.
22.3
What is sea clutter?
Sea clutter usually appears as confusing, random signals close to your vessel on
the Radar screen.
High waves that can reflect the radar signal will produce the maximum amount of
sea clutter on the Radar screen.
You can change the sea clutter mode and setting yourself, or let the 8000i change
it automatically, to compensate for the sea conditions and reduce the amount of
sea clutter on the Radar screen.
22.4
Change the sea clutter mode
There are four choices of sea clutter mode:
Manual. Adjust the sea clutter setting yourself. This setting will be
applied at all radar range settings.
Range Rider. Adjust the sea clutter setting yourself for a particular
radar range, then have the 8000i store those settings and re-use
them whenever you operate at that range again.
Auto Harbor. The 8000i adjusts the sea clutter setting
automatically to suit a harbor environment. This is the default.
Auto Offshore. The 8000i adjusts the sea clutter setting
automatically to suit an offshore environment.