Sea-Me Active Radar Reflector Incl 24m Cable

SEA-ME Active Radar Reflector

Active radar reflectors have the following advantages over passive radar reflectors.

1. Greater detection range
2. More consistent return
3. Better performance in clutter
4. Better performance at heel
5. Automatic ship detection alert

Why You Need a Radar Target Enhancer?

Most yachts and motor cruisers are today made of GRP, an inherently poor reflector of radar signals, the prime tool used by ships to see us. For our own safety and peace of mind we should do all that we can to enhance our return signal and thus increase the probability that it will be seen consistently. The SEA-ME active Radar Target Enhancer is the modern solution to this problem.

What is a Radar Target Enhancer ?

The SEA-ME Radar Target Enhancer is an ACTIVE system which receives a radar signal, amplifies it and re-transmits it. This ensures a stronger return signal and a more even strength around the full 360° azimuth. The SEA-ME unit is supplied on an antenna which can be mounted as high and free of obstruction as practicable. A stand off mounting for masthead fixing is available.

Why Fit The SEA-ME Radar Target Enhancer?

Your safety depends on being seen, day and night, fair or foul.

Radar is the prime tool used by ships to see. In any conditions Sea-me will increase the probability that you will be seen on radar.

At night, the range of the masthead light of a sailing yacht of less than 20m LOA is only 3 nautical miles and of a sailing yacht of less than 12m LOA only 2 miles. A ship making 20 knots will cover 3 miles in only 9 minutes - any steps you can take to give a vessel more time to avoid you are a must!

SEA-ME has a maximum radar cross section of 63sqm, some 6 times the current requirement for a passive radar reflector, and an average of 34sqm.

Sea-me is an ACTIVE system which emits a stronger signal than it receives. The detection range is thus increased.

The higher a reflecting device can be fitted, the better - Sea-me is ultra light (weighing just 410 gms) and can therefore be fitted at the masthead.
Sea-me uses little power - just 150mA on standby and 350mA when it is transmitting.

Sea-me , because it is ACTIVE, tells you when you are being struck by a radar signal and therefore when a ship is in your area. A sounder can be connected to the control box so that you get an audible as well as a visual warning that you have been struck by a radar signal.

Sea-me can be fitted to your boat using a standard 1" 14 thread per inch antenna mount (not included). Supplied complete with 24m cable and full instructions, Sea-Me is easy to fit and to use.

The 5 Benefits of Sea-Me

The disadvantage of the passive reflector lies in the many directions in which its radar cross section is low, resulting in a minimal return.

The polar plot shows that Sea-me has a much more even response pattern and suffers from none of the gaps so typical of a passive device.

1. Greater detection range.

The strength of a radar signal falls off rapidly with distance. In the case of a passive reflector this degradation takes place over a distance equal to double the range (radar to target and back) whereas in the case of an active device, which is itself a transmitter, it only falls off over the return distance - and from a much higher amplified signal level. This means that Sea-me, an active device, has a greater detection range than the typical passive reflector.

2. A more consistent return.

Ships today use a system known as ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid). This enables the radar to emit an alarm when it acquires a target within its guard zones and thus to alert the watchkeeper. Target acquisition will only take place if the radar receives returns on at least 50% of scans. Two factors contribute to a consistent return - the strength of the returned signal and, because small boats yaw and heel, particularly in rough seas, the evenness of the return.

3. Better performance in clutter.

Performance in clutter (rain and wave) is all about signal strength. The single fact that Sea-me emits a stronger signal means that it performs better in clutter.

4. Better performance at heel.

The effectiveness of a passive reflector falls off rapidly as the boat heels, as you would expect of a device which is effectively a mirror reflecting in a single direction. The Sea-me device shapes the beam to provide an effective return even when the boat is heeled.

5. Ship detection alert.

Passive reflectors cannot give you any warning that you have been struck by a radar signal indicating that there is a ship in your area.
Sea-me, being active, knows when it has received a signal and can alert you with a flashing light, and if required, audibly. Sea-me thus enables you to sharpen up your lookout when necessary.

Detailed specifications:-