Tri-lens radar reflector

[Ken13559]

I've a medium size Tri-lens Radar Reflector mounted about half way up the mast. Cruising chute and halyard do get caught on it occasionally but not a big deal. I was thinking of mounting the Tri-lens right up the mast as I've about slightly more than 1/2mtr of free mast space above the Cruising Chute rode mast exit slot.
Is this a good idea?

 

[chuckwayne]

Ken,
Ours is about 3-4ft above the spreaders under our radome... putting it up higher might put it above the reflection range of other radars on smaller boats but other than that I don't see any real issue. more weight higher on the mast, but not an issue IMHO

 

[Panamax]

I spent 26 years in the navy operating just about any kind of radar you can imagine. Trust me when I say that on a pleasure craft of any sort, it would not be possible to mount the reflector high enough to interfere with any surface radar to see it.

 

[Panamax]

Let's try that again in English. On a pleasure craft, it is not possible to mount the reflector high enough to avoid the vertical beam pattern of a surface mounted radar. To prove this, next time your see a helicopter buzzing around, or a low flying aircraft, just look at your radar. I guarantee that you will see the aircraft tracking on the radar.

 

[Ken13559]

Ok so the higher up I put the better. The standard Tri-lens weighs only 5.5lbs so I guess its not going to affect heeling much. It may even double as a flotation to right the boat when capsize? Just kidding

 

[chuckwayne]

Panamax is correct - the vertical field of view of a typical recreational radar will certainly cover your entire mast