Aquamate ACTIVE-XS Dual Band Radar Target Enhancer User Manual Active XS Users Manual

Aquamate Products Limited Dual Band Radar Target Enhancer Active XS Users Manual

Active-XS Users Manual

Ac t i v e - XS-D u a lBand Radar Target Enhancer...a significant advance in marine safety!Manufactured by Echomax Products in the UKPO Box 6032, Dunmow CM6 3AS, UK. Email: echomaxsales@aol.com www.echomax.co.ukTel: 00 44 (0)1371 830216 Fax: 831733 OPERATION MANUALAc t i v e- XS-D u a lBand Radar Target Enhancer!
GENERAL INTRODUCTION The Echomax Active-XS-Dual Band Radar Target Enhancer (RTE) is designed to respond to interrogating bothX (9.3 - 9.5 GHz) and S band radar (2.9 - 3.1 GHz) by receiving a transmitted pulse, amplifying and re - t r a n s m i t t i n gthe pulse back to the radar at the same frequency with minimum delay, thereby improving the radar detectionrange and visibility of small targets. It will not enhance significantly vessels with large radar cross section. The Active-XS-Dual Band Radar Target Enhancer is suitable for all vessels up to 150 gross tonnage. SOLAS V Regulation 19 2.1.7 states (Radar reflector): All ships irrespective of size shall have: if less than 150 gross tonnage and if practicable, a radar reflector, or other means to enable detection by ships navigatingby radar at both 9 GHz (X Band) and 3 GHz. (S Band). The Active-XS-Dual Band Radar Target Enhancer willtypically enhance the RCS (radar cross section) of vessels up to 25M in length. For small craft/rigid inflatablesimprovements will start to be seen at around 1-2 miles extending to 8-10 miles or more depending onprevailing conditions. The response of the RTE will vary according to range, RTE and radar height above sealevel, radar power and condition. Poor weather, sea state and precipitation will greatly reduce the response. IMPORTANT The fitting of the Active-XS-Dual Band RTE does not exclude you from exercising safe navigationaljudgement for your vessel under the InternationalRegulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea and to keep a proper look out at all times LICENSING REQUIREMENTSMany countries and administrations require a shipsradio license or modification of your existing ships radiolicence before the Active-XS can be used for maritimeuse. Contact your local administration for details.ECHOMAX ACTIVE-XS COMPONENTS,CONSTRUCTION, use and installationIf you are not able to safely install the unit yourself you are advised to seek the services of a competentperson or company to install the RTE.COMPONENTSEchomax Active-XS mast head radome fitted with 24 meters of 3 core cableControl box Operation manualRADOME FITTINGThe antenna has provisions in the base for a 1 inch -14NF female thread mast fitting or deck mount bracket.Plastic mounts should not be used. To ensure apermanent fixing ‘LOCTITE’ or PTFE or plumbers tapeshould be used and the RTE must be screwed downtightly. Care must be taken to ensure that as the RTE istightened on the base the cable is allowed to turn freely.For mast fitting the radome must be fitted vertically ashigh as possible. The receive/ transmit antennaspositioned 70mm from the base of the radome musthave a clear 360 degree azimuth. It should be fitted at least 6 inches/150mm from the mast on the offsetbracket. It should not be fitted on a back stay or whereits vision is obscured or is close to any metal objectotherwise performance could be significantly impaired.The radome unit must never be painted as this willseriously impair performance. The radome must not be fitted in or close to the vessels radar vertical orhorizontal transmitting beam as this may seriouslyd a m a g e the PCB. The RTE should be fitted above theradar. It is possible to shorten the cable or extend by a further 25 meters without affecting the p e rf o rm a n c eusing extension cable rated at 3A at 300V.ECHOMAX CONTROL BOX for surfacefitting or flush mount with optional newflush mount kitUse and wiring instructionsThe control box must be fitted internally as it is notwaterproof and can be wired from the base or back asrequired. A 12v fused or circuit breaker supply of 3-5Ais required.The control box has a quadruple alarm facility. Oncethe red power switch is turned on the unit is in thequiescent mode and will consume up to 23mA. Wheninterrogated by an X Band radar the green LED lightwill flash every 2.4 seconds. If the flash lengthens thenthis indicates that more than one radar is painting the antenna. If painted by a high speed radar whichrotates every 1.5 seconds then the LED light will flashquicker. When painted by an S Band radar the yellowlight will flash. It should be borne in mind that vesselswith S Band radar are very large and in most casesover 3000GT and can neither stop nor change coursequickly. Turning on the green switch will mobilize thei n t e rnal buzzer, which is set to actuate at appro x i m a t e l yhalf a second intervals. The control box also hasfacilities for a 8A external volt free alarm. THIS IS NOTA POWER SOURCE and must be initialised as shownin the wiring diagram. The control box has anexternally replaceable 2 Amp fuse and is surge andcross polarity protected.All radars emit irregular vertical side lodes (spikes)and should the Active-XS be installed in the path of aspike it will think that it is being painted by anotherships radar. Movement of the Active-XS radome toanother position may remedy this, if not, the shipsradar will need to be switched off. Identical radar mayhave a different side lobe pattern.Ac t i v e- XS-D u a lBand Radar Target EnhancerAc t i v e- XS-D u a lBand Radar Target Enhancer
RTE CONNECTIONSThe diagrams show the correct wiring installationPERFORMANCE CHECKAs the RCS of your vessel may exceed the RCS of the RTE, the trial is best carried out at 0.5 nm as the target can be easily identified. The range should then be increased at intervals of 0.5 nm and the RTE switched on and off noting the change in response. As the range increases the bare target will not be seen and whilst moving theRTE is left on so that the test target can be seen at all times. This is important in busy waters to avoid confusionwith other vessels. If the target is lost it can be acquired by turning the RTE on and off and watching the display for change intarget response. In normal weather and sea conditions, with RTE and interrogating radar mounted at four metersabove sea level should respond on the radar screen as shown below. If the mounting heights, including that of theinterrogating radar vary so will the response due to curvature of the earth. These figures are for guidance only andshould not be relied upon.2KW radar up to 4 nm : 5KW radar up to 10 nm : 10-25KW radar up to 15-20 nmFAULT FINDING CHARTNo Red LED light when red switch Check fuse or circuit breakeris turned on Check polarity of wiringCheck power supply at control boxDamaged cable or wrong connectionUnit switched on and continuous green Local radar on, or radar operating moored nearby (<15M) LED light shows, in harbour or when Moored close to large metal object saturating RTE Check polarity of radome wiringBeing actuated by ships own radar – turn off radar and if necessary relocate Active-XRelocate vessel to more suitable positionUnit on and buzzer on and unit fails to Check all above faults. Is RTE in shadow of operate when it clearly is interrogated interrogating radar as it will not operate if maskedBuzzer switched on but does not sound Buzzer faulty – return control box to Echomax when painted by radar for inspectionGreen LED light or alarm sounds when ships ownradar is switched onRadars emit irregular vertical side lodes (spikes) and shouldthe Active-XS be installed in the path of a spike it will thinkthat it is being painted by another ships radar. Movement ofthe Active-XS radome to another position may remedy this, ifnot the ships radar will need to be switched off. Identical radarmay have a different side lobe pattern.DIMENSIONS and WEIGHTSReception frequency: X Band Radar 9.3 - 9.5 GHzS Band Radar 2.9 - 3.1 GHzOperating Temperature: - 20 to + 60 degrees CVoltage: 12V DC - + 30% - 10% (voltage surge and cross polarity protected)Current consumption in quiescent state: <23mACurrent consumption X Band Radar 190mAwhen transmitting S Band Radar 155mAtypically:Position accuracy: Within 1 metreEIRP: 1W (typically) Exceeds ISO 8729-2 effective July 09 - X Band Radar7.5m2and S Band Radar 0.5m2at Zero, +/-10 and 20degrees of heel maintained over a total angle of 280degrees.continued overleafAntenna length: 685mmAntenna width: 40.5mmAntenna weight: 573gms (excluding cable)Control Box width: 92mmControl Box height: 51mmControl Box depth: 38mm Control Box weight: 99gmsCable length: 24m 3 core 0.5mm2Cable weight: 967gmsTECHNICAL SPECIFICATION STATED PERFORMANCE LEVEL SPLTOACTIVEXSANTENNA
GUARANTEEThe Echomax Active-XS-Dual Band RTE is guaranteedfor 12 months from the date of purchase and provides for the complete replacement at our discretion of thecomplete unit or any of the components providingfailure is attributed to component failure or defectwhich is not attributed to accidents, misuse, fair wearor tear or neglect. The guarantee is invalidated by any attemptw h a t s o e v e r to open up or interfere in any way with the unit. It is the users responsibility to return the unit at hisexpense to us to inspect and report on the reasonfor failure. No exchange unit will be given until a fullinspection and report is issued.This guarantee does not affect your statutoryconsumer rights or those governed by local Law.For comparison with competing products seewww.echomax.co.uk.Declaration of Conformity(As required by Article 6.3 of Directive 1999/5/EC-RTTE Directive)Declares under his sole responsibility that the activeradar target enhancer manufactured by: AQUAMATE PRODUCTS LTD. also trading as ECHOMAXPO Box 6032DunmowEssex CM6 3AS U.K.Telephone + 00 44 (0) 1371 830216 Fax 831733 Email: echomaxsales@aol.comIntended for Worldwide use as an S and X Band active radar target enhancer aboard non SOLAS vessels andidentified by the type number Active-XS to which thisdeclaration refers has been tested to the essentialradio, EMC & safety test suites required by the notifiedbody and is in conformity with the standardsEN 302 752 V1.1.1 (2009-02)EN 60945: 2002 (Clauses 9, 10 & 12)And complies with the essential requirements ofDirective 1999/5/ECConformity procedure under Annex IV of 1999/5/EC(Technical Construction File) has been undertaken byQinetiQ (0191) of Cody Technology Park, Ively Road,Farnborough GU14 0LX UKThe Technical Construction File is held by:-John H SimpsonAQUAMATE PRODUCTS LTD. also trading as ECHOMAXPO Box 6032DunmowEssex CM6 3AS UKTel: +00 44 (0)1371 830216 Fax 831733Email: echomaxsales@aol.comSigned ……………………………………… John H. SimpsonManaging DirectorMay 2010 EMAXSM UK 06/10Typical performance – QinetiQ Funtington AnechoicChamber March 2010X BAND RADAR SPL S BAND RADAR SPL(ISO Standard 7.5m2) (ISO Standard 0.5m2)Zero degrees: 118.33m2Zero degrees: 6.26m2+/- 10 degrees: 65.07m2+/- 10 degrees: 6.44m2+/- 20 degrees: 19.49m2+/- 20 degrees: 5.36m2NB. Production units will have the following S Band SPLZero degrees: 15.75m2+/- 10 degrees: 16.20m2+/- 20 degrees: 13.40m2OPTIONAL FITTINGSBase fitting: female 1 inch – 14 NF threadMast Bracket: 26cm reach and female 1 inch – 14 NF threadFlush Mount Kit for Control BoxManufactured by Echomax Products in the UKPO Box 6032, Dunmow CM6 3AS, UK. Email: echomaxsales@aol.com www.echomax.co.ukTel: 00 44 (0)1371 830216 Fax: 831733 !AT BE BG CY CZ DKEE FI FR DE GR HUIS IE IT LV LT LUMT NL NO PL RO SKSI ES SE CH LI GBSpecifications given in this manual are subject to change without notification. Production units comply with:EN 302 752 V1.1.1. (2009-02)EN 60945: 2002 (Clauses 9, 10 & 12)Complies with essential requirements of R & TTEDirective 1999/5/EC. CE 0191: Performancerequirements of ISO 8729-2 X and S Band Radar.

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