Lesson 1Selecting range scales: coarse vs fine scales; rules for choosing ranges in 0.5 NM visibility near coastDescribes how to select radar range scales for coastal navigation, balancing overview and detail. Provides rules of thumb for 0.5 NM visibility, harbour approaches, and open-coast transits, including frequent range changing techniques.
Range scale increments and labelingFine scales for pilotage and close quartersCoarse scales for route overviewRange selection in 0.5 NM visibilityUsing two alternating working rangesLesson 2Antenna settings and stabilization: rotation speed, stabilization, and sidelobe awarenessCovers antenna rotation speed, stabilization inputs, and sidelobe effects. Explains how gyro and log data stabilize the picture, how sidelobes create false echoes, and how to verify correct stabilization during manoeuvres.
Selecting appropriate rotation speedGyro and log inputs for stabilizationRecognizing sidelobe echo patternsChecks after gyro or log failureMaintenance considerations for antennaLesson 3Pulse length and PRF: short vs long pulse effects on detection and range capabilityCovers pulse length and PRF concepts, how short and long pulses affect detection, range, and resolution, and how to choose settings for buoys, small craft, coastline, and rain clutter during restricted-visibility navigation.
Short pulse for close-range target resolutionLong pulse for extended range coveragePRF impact on maximum unambiguous rangeBalancing detection and clutter returnsTypical coastal night pulse configurationsLesson 4Automatic tuning and manual tuning procedures: when to rely on auto-tune and when to manually adjustDetails automatic and manual tuning principles, when auto-tune is reliable, and when manual fine-tuning is required. Includes step-by-step tuning checks, verification using coastline and buoys, and logging preferred settings.
How automatic tuning samples receiver noiseIndicators that auto-tune is inadequateManual tuning step-by-step checklistUsing known targets to verify tuningRecording and reviewing tuning settingsLesson 5Radar display modes: head-up, course-up, north-up — selecting orientation for coastal transitExplains head-up, course-up, and north-up orientations, how each affects situational awareness, and how to select and change modes safely during coastal night transits, including common errors when altering heading or course.
Head-up mode behavior and use casesCourse-up mode for track monitoringNorth-up mode for chart correlationSwitching modes during course alterationsAvoiding confusion when orientation changesLesson 6Gain, sea clutter, rain clutter, and anti-clutter controls: purpose, typical adjustments for drizzle and sea conditionsExplains gain, sea clutter, rain clutter, and anti-clutter controls, with practical settings for drizzle, showers, and varying sea states. Emphasizes avoiding over-suppression of small targets and using systematic adjustment routines.
Receiver gain and noise floor controlSea clutter control by sea stateRain clutter and anti-rain techniquesStepwise adjustment sequence at nightPreserving weak echoes near coastlineLesson 7Integration with ARPA and AIS overlay: configuring overlays, target data symbology, and priority settingsShows how to configure ARPA and AIS overlays on the radar display, set symbology and priorities, and avoid screen clutter. Discusses target association, lost target alarms, and best practices for coastal traffic monitoring.
Enabling and scaling ARPA overlaysAIS target symbols and labelsPriority and filtering of target dataAssociation of ARPA and AIS tracksAlarm settings for coastal trafficLesson 8Dual-radar tactics: how to use two X-band radars together (different ranges, redundancy, cross-checking)Describes tactics for operating two X-band radars together, using different ranges and settings for redundancy and cross-checking. Covers power management, failure scenarios, and bridge team communication of displays.
Assigning primary and secondary radarsUsing different range scales per radarCross-checking doubtful radar echoesBackup strategies during equipment failureBridge team communication of radar dataLesson 9Motion modes: true motion, relative motion, variable-range true motion — pros and cons for watchkeepingExplains true motion, relative motion, and variable-range true motion, with emphasis on how each displays own ship and targets. Evaluates pros and cons for night watchkeeping, collision avoidance, and coastal route monitoring.
True motion display characteristicsRelative motion and target vectorsVariable-range true motion conceptChoosing motion mode for traffic densityCommon misinterpretations of motion modesLesson 10X-band radar fundamentals: frequency, pulse length, range resolution, and typical performance limitsIntroduces X-band radar characteristics, including frequency, pulse length, beamwidth, and range resolution. Discusses performance limits in rain, sea clutter, and ducting, and typical ranges for small craft and coastline targets.
Operating frequency and wavelength basicsBeamwidth and horizontal resolutionMinimum and maximum detection rangesEffects of rain, sea state, and ductingTypical performance for coastal targets
