Radar Mounting

[Almost Heaven]

Are ther any objections to an upper mizzen mount as oppsed to a upper main mast mount. My preferance would be the mizzen so as not to interfear with crusing shoot tacks

[idpnd]

Mizzen mast installs seem to be predominant on ketches and yawls, presumably the disadvantage of having the mast in the way is outweighed by the protection from foresail interference to the unit..

[Mi2ndWind]

There will be a "hole" in the radar return from the main mast being directly in front of the antenna, if the mast is metal. Think of the radar being a light source, and your mast casting a shadow. The size of the shadow will decrease the farther away the antenna is from the mast. I can't say from experience how much of an effect this has, but alot of the radars I've seen mounted on stern poles seem to be on the starboard side, presumably to get a clear view ahead and not shadow the starboard watch area? I have interest in this topic as well, I am also considering placement location for a radar antenna and worry about genoa/spinnaker hangups.

[senormechanico]

The "hole" is minor because the radar antenna is not a point source as with an incandescent light.
The bigger the antenna diameter, the less noticeable the forward gain dropout.

[s/v Jedi]

Even at very short ranges the only "hole" I was able to detect was behind me caused by the mizzen mast which has the scanner mounted in front at the lower spreaders.

I have seen formula's to calculate the blind spots caused by obstructions with the diameter of the obstruction and the distance to the scanner as parameters (in the installation instructions in radar manuals). A main mast for a mizzen mounted scanner resulted in negligible effect.

ciao!
Nick.

[Hudson Force]

I have my radar mounted on my mizzen an I have not noticed any lack of ability to see targets directly forward. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew