Understanding How Radar Works; Displaying And Controlling Radar - NorthStar 958 Operator's Manual

Chapter 10 - Understanding Radar Functions

Understanding how radar works

Displaying and controlling radar

Page 126
The word "radar" is an acronym for "Radio Detecting and
Ranging." A radio transmitter sends out a very short
microwave pulse, and then a receiver listens for that signal's
echo when it's bounced back from something in its path
(called the "target"). The returning signal is processed by a
computer to determine its relative distance, position, and
bearing. This information is graphically displayed on a screen
for you to see. The target might be other boats or ships,
navigational markers, flocks of birds, land masses, or some
other object. By knowing how long it takes for a signal to
return, the distance to a target can be determined. As the radar
antenna scans through a 360-degree rotation, it shows where
the target is relative to your position. By repeated scans of a
target such as another vessel, you can see where that other
vessel is moving. For more information about how radar
works, see "Introducing radar" starting on page 187.
To display radar alone on a full screen:
1. Press the CHART key to display the CHART screen.
958 Operator's Manual, Rev. A