Open blackgrey0010 opened 2 years ago
Regulation stipulates carrying reflector only. I have asked John Hansen to quote a price on mounting determination. (not blocking)
radar reflector broken in storms of 2023 winter
Read the report: https://www.ussailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2007-Radar-Reflector-Test.pdf. Davis Echomaster Radar Reflector seems to be the best for super cheap, but have to rig a bridle to hoist. The tubular ones have been shown to not be effective at all.
These 3 seem best for medium price, and I read in a Sailing Anarchy forum of someone who recently got this: https://www.landfallnavigation.com/echomax-230i-inflatable.html [https://forums.sailinganarchy.com/threads/radar-reflector.241367/]
The Echomax 230 narrowly failed to meet ISO8729 during this testing, but showed good peak and average RCS performance. The reflector is reasonably priced at £130 and weighs 2.4kg; the main drawback was a RCS drop-off above an elevation angle of 10˚. [Karissa, I can't find a comparison between this one and the inflatable]
The Firdell Blipper 210-7 narrowly failed to meet ISO8729 during this testing, but showed good peak and average RCS performance. The Blipper is priced at £130 and weighs 1.8kg; the main drawback was a RCS drop-off above an elevation angle of 10˚.
If power is not available the study recommends the passive Large Tri-Lens. The Standard Tri Lens does not meet ISO8729 as the peak RCS was too low at 4m2. However its consistent RCS response outperformed most of the other reflectors when heeled over beyond 10˚
A boat shall carry an 11.5" (292mm) diameter or greater octahedral radar reflector or one of equivalent performance