Radar target!

[Joesaila]

This little ball less than a foot in diameter actually showed up on my radar. Has anyone seen these before? I think it marked a fish trap.

[sailingdog]

Yup... they were in some photos over on Anything-Sailing.com...

[Joesaila]

It was the same photo [from me] I'd really like information about what it is, whether it actually contains a reflector or is lined w aluminum, is it used most often w fish traps, nets or otherwise? This was one of about 6 set in a large circle and all of them showed on the radar.

I put it here on sailnet because it was less complicated and a lot of other people would not need a rambling explanation......like this

[sailingdog]

Joe—

I know that, I was joking with you, hence the ... btw, IIRC those have a octahedral radar reflector similar to the Davis Echomaster inside them. They're used so that the fish traps and such are still "visible" in the fog. Typically, they're used for larger submersed permanent structures, rather than lobster traps, since the costs of these is significantly higher and protecting them makes the radar reflective buoys cost effective.

[Boasun]

Pending on sea conditions; I've picked up, alligators, floating plants and other flotsom in the bayous. And at other times due to wavelets or larger I don't.
It all depends on the smoothness of the water. There have been other times when boats and larger craft did not show due to the sea conditions on the radar. This is why I depend heavily on the Mark One Eyeball to see everything.

[sailingdog]

Yes, the Mark I eyeball, my favorite navigation tool. However, the Mark I Eyeball doesn't function all that well in heavy fog.

[bobmcgov]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Yes, the Mark I eyeball, my favorite navigation tool. However, the Mark I Eyeball doesn't function all that well in heavy fog.

It certainly exhibits signal degradation in moderate to heavy vapor events. (This is generally attributed to user error and should not be regarded as a design flaw in the MarkI Eyeball.) That's when you pull out the Bag of Potatoes(tm). I prefer the small, white native taters in Long Island Sound fog: their crisp splash contrasts well with the noise of breaking glass when you've hit another strip mall.

In Idaho, the large russets are better. Lower resolution than a small potato, but the sound penetrates ambient wind noise better. If you hear a dull thud followed by a roar, you've struck a bear and should tack immediately.

I'm also learning long epic poems in !Kung and Xhosa. If I recite them standing on the bow pulpit, we can echolocate our way thru the gnarliest passages. It takes ears like Prince Charles to pull this off; fortunately, I have been so blessed.