Side lobes, Indirect echoes – Raymarine C Series User Manual

Page 135

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Chapter 6: Using the Radar

121

Side lobes

Side lobe patterns are produced by small amounts of energy from the transmitted
pulses that are radiated outside the narrow main beam.

The effects of side lobes are most noticeable with targets at short ranges (normally
below 3 nm), and in particular with larger objects. Side lobe echoes form either arcs on
the radar screen similar to range rings, or a series of echoes forming a broken arc.

Indirect echoes

There are several types of indirect echoes or ghost images. These sometimes have the
appearance of true echoes, but in general they are intermittent and poorly defined.

True echo

Side echoes

Main lobe

Antenna

Arc

Side
lobe

Side
lobe

D1638-4

False echo

Passing
ship

True echo

D1641-4

True echo

False echo

Mast
or funnel

81221_4.book Page 121 Tuesday, February 28, 2006 5:24 PM

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