Echomax paints a safe passage at Seawork
A further development to Echomax’s original radar target enhancer is the new Active-XS dual band RTE that has just been released. Like the original, it amplifies and returns a stronger radar signal, but it now also tells you if you are being ‘painted’ by S-band radar.
The system gives you a green LED warning light which flashes when you are being covered by X-band radar and a yellow warning light which flashes when it detects S-band radar. There is also a switchable audible alarm when painted by either or both S and X-bands.
John Simpson tells MJ that the addition of this S-band radar detection should be a real benefit. He explains that while the smaller X-band is in common use, S-band radar is mandatory on all vessels over 3,000gt, which can’t change course easily and use it to penetrate fog and mist. ‘In other words,’ he said, ‘if you can see a yellow LED light flashing, there’s a ruddy great ship in the region.’
Mr Simpson adds that the radar target enhancer ‘vastly exceeds the ISO 8729-2 performance requirements of X and S-band and features a quadruple alarm facility as standard using a single control box’.
It is a robust 12V system that is protected against voltage surges and will operate in any temperatures between -20 to +60°C, while also being quite compact (92mm by 51mm by 38mm with an antenna length of 685mm). It can be wired in fairly easily and has a low power consumption. In its quiescent state it uses less than 23mA, while consumption when transmitting is typically between 155mA and 190mA.
An added safety feature has been the addition of an extension alarm with an 8A facility enabling you to use the deck horn or deck light, a ‘must’ for the single handed sailor or night watch.
Echomax is an exhibitor on Stand 16 at Seawork 2010, where John Simpson will be ready to explain the latest product developments to all interested parties.
