Radar Reflectors. Homemade DIY or purchase

[WASP18]

I We'll be cruising an area not far from a shipping lane (or channel). After reading up on the subject, a fiberglass boat is stealth-like unless there are metal surfaces like a tall aluminum mast. Yet a mast may not show up on a ship's (or yacht's) radar return.

Sorry if I misread this but it sounded like you were wanting to alleviate a risk, and you were making some wrong assumptions about GRP yachts from my own research. I did not ever say you were foolish nor intend for that to be insinuated, you seem to have a handle on what you want to do, you are going to test, so good luck to you. I thought you were asking a genuine question and wanted advice on what we as members of this group thought of homemade reflectors. As I had done some research in this area I thought I was providing information to you to be helpful which is why I am on this forum, to give and receive advice from fellow sailors. I also work in the electronics and technology field so maybe biased towards AIS.

Nough Said

My opening statement and original approach to the subject was about replacing the somewhat reflective traits of metal lost from removal of the mast. In doing so, I researched and found the U.Maine study in addition to reading other material on the web. Personal curiosity became an incentive to digress, build and test this contraption and not place myself and family in harm's way. I also wanted to share my experience on this board.

I've also had extensive experience as a user in the U.S. Navy at naval air stations and on an aircraft carrier involving radar in CATCC (Carrier Air Traffic Control Center) CCA (Carrier Controlled Approach) and CIC (Combat Information Center). I've also worked in companies which developed advanced C3 systems (Command, Control, Communications), ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) submarine communication technology with underground antennas buried in Michigan, OTH (Over the Horizon Radar) PAVEPAWS (missile warning & space surveillance) in addition to NEXRAD (Next Generation Weather Radar) which is currently the radar utilized in weather forecasts. The WX radar, which was designed to pick up dust particles thus pinpointing tornadoes in development, became a huge success in forecasting. I am not an engineer; however, a lifetime in this environment rubs off and spills into one's knowledge base.

[Ormonddude]

I just want to add that if a foil hat works that GOOD a home made reflector maybe superior to the commercial versions available and I am interested in seeing the results good luck with home made endeavor.

[WASP18]

I just want to add that if a foil hat works that GOOD a home made reflector maybe superior to the commercial versions available and I am interested in seeing the results good luck with home made endeavor.

Thanks! The commercial versions are small and appear to be designed for convenience and portability. Perhaps fashion over function dictates the design. They fold up and are easily tucked away. My contraption is ugly and cumbersome. Recall WWII when chaf was discovered to confuse radar. It was simply aluminum foil strips dropped from an airplane. I've seen chaf demonstrations with the A10 Warthog in films and real time with ASW (anti-submarine warfare) helicopters. Both the A10 and the helo would fire a combination of flares and chaf during an evasive maneuver.

[grady]

I just want to add that if a foil hat works that GOOD a home made reflector maybe superior to the commercial versions available and I am interested in seeing the results good luck with home made endeavor.

And the foil hat will keep the Ailens/Goverment from reading your thoughts.

[Tomfoolery]

The obligatory 'tin foil hat' pic:

[sunshinecoasting]

Hi All, I dont know what the fuss is all about, AIS is free, all you need is a smart phone (most of us already have one) and a registration with www.marinetraffic.com which is also free, as long as you are in cell phone range (most coastal yachting is) then you are on the screen of all shipping. I registered and use it all the time, it works perfectly, my wife (who doesnt like boating) can sit at home and watch my exact position on the web in real time. It is so simple to use, you just turn on your GPS of your phone and click "Start" on the application (download from here http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/servic ... level1=170 ) within two minutes your phone is broadcasting your exact co-ordinates to the AIS system and your Mac pops up on the Marine traffic map (or any other AIS map you care to use), every ship can see you and so can port masters and coast guards, It works, it's simple and its free. give it a go, just remember to turn it off once you start trailering your boat otherwise it shows you doing 60 knots up the freeway, LOL, ask me how I know (at least the wife knew exactly when I was going to pull in to the driveway). Cheers, Dennis.

[WASP18]

Great idea! Won't work for me though. I happen to own a dumb phone.

[Whipsyjac]

Thanks Dennis, I use that app to look for traffic but didn't know I could broadcast. Great fog app ; )

I'll have to give it a go.

Willy

[Whipsyjac]

I was just checking the iAIS out...there is a disclaimer "this is not AIS....you will not be visible on other ships AIS display" you are only visible on the internet and other mobile apps. The freighters and ferries wont see me unless they are goofing around with their iPhones instead of navigating

[Ormonddude]

The obligatory 'tin foil hat' pic:

No No we are going for a nautical feel I fully intend to fold my hat like this -
On a important note it can be turned pointing forward for that turn of century admiral look.

[padge]

Here is a study of commerical reflectors from this side of "the pond"

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cf ... report.pdf


SOLAS regs require some sort of reflector .

Regulation 19
2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:
2.1.7 if less than 150 gross tonnage and if practicable, a radar reflector or other means, to enable detection by ships navigating by radar at both 9 and 3 GHz;

I hate regulations so the foil hat works for me

[grady]

The obligatory 'tin foil hat' pic:

No No we are going for a nautical feel I fully intend to fold my hat like this -
On a important note it can be turned pointing forward for that turn of century admiral look.

I agree, the other style looks like a Heresies Kiss.

[Catigale]

In Germany, the Prussian spike model is preferred...