United Kingdom
41 Posts
Posted - 12/12/2008 : 15:06:05
I recently found a MAIB report which was comissioned following the loss of the Ouzo which makes pretty shocking reading, and indicates that our reflector is probably better off in the bin than up the mast. (Its fine so long as it's exactly vertical)
Funny - I don't seem to have seen any publicity about this and these reflectors are sold everywhere.
The summary is below, but if anyone would like the full report just send me an email or PM and I'll happily email it to you.
- The Sea-Me is a good example of an active reflector (RTE) exceeding the requirements of the current and future ISO 8729 at heel/elevation angles of up to 15#730;, it is also very small and light. Drawbacks are that it requires power to will offer no performance at S-Band.
- The POLARef shows excellence is possible but at a price, technically it just fails
meet current ISO8729 [1] or its replacement [2]. The main drawbacks are it is
very costly at £2000 and its quite heavy at around 5kg. It is currently used as a
radar measurement standard although it could possibly be re-engineering for
commercial production which could reduce the price.
- The Large Tri-Lens performs well especially at larger angles of heel and
elevation, it just falls short of ISO8729 [1] having a peak RCS of 8.5m2 but
otherwise performs well. It is the heaviest reflector supplied for test at 5.5kg
and costs around £300.
- 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#730;.
- 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#730;.
- 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#730;; it is reasonably priced at £130 and
weighs 2.5kg.
- The Plastimo 16” octahedral is inexpensive at £16 and lightweight at 0.65kg
but failed to meet ISO8729 in either tested position. It had reasonable peak and
average performance averaging around 2m2 but had wide nulls which kept its
stated performance level down. Other drawbacks are that its mounting
arrangement is by suspension only (often in an unfavourable position) and
could be subject to damage.
- The Davis Echomaster failed to get close to ISO8729 during this testing. Its peak
RCS is too low at 7.5m2 and its average performance is only 1.75m2. This
reflector is priced at £60 and is lightweight; it can be mounted on a rod as well
as by suspension (in the correct catch-rain position).
- The 4” tube reflector performed very poorly.