RYA Radar (Theory)
There is a time and a place for everything and during times of thick fog in a traffic separation scheme is neither when it comes to learning how to use your radar correctly. Now we don’t deliberately set off in fog, that’s just wrong, but it can roll in, and quickly. We recommend this course to anyone who goes to sea on anything with a radar attached and there is absolutely no previous experience necessary.
It is highly recommended that students practice their new-found radar skills at sea in good visibility as the opportunities arise. There is no substitute for radar hours. As with all one day courses notes should be re-read 2 weeks after the course. Any radar orientated questions that may pop up or advice required in the future will be answered by your instructor.
Allabroad go the extra mile
Allabroad’s radar instructor is qualified RYA Radar instructors and experienced Marine electricians who are right up to date with all the latest developments in this Hi tech area. Allabroad has a dedicated Lightmaster Radar training suite with 7 stations networked together and a dedicated Raymarine E 120 radar and chart-plotter. And yet again Allabroad is the only school in Gibraltar that offers this level of equipment (in excess of £10,000) and expertise that both surpass the requirements of the RYA. Each radar station is networked together so you can actually see the other vessels in a virtual radar world. Scenarios can be created with rain and bad weather and in different geographical locations. Communications equipment is also networked to each station so it is possible to call up targets by their course speed and position.
In addition to the standard RYA Radar syllabus, Allabroad include:
- MARPA: a system for locking on to targets and revealing their course and speed.
- AIS: a system where ships transmit their course, speed and position and other data via a radio signal.
- Overlay: radar images can be overlaid on the chartplotter.
- Benefits
- It’s safer to practice with the radar in the safety of a classroom.
- The equipment can simulate many different crossing situations in a couple of hours and therefore consolidate radar time.
- Essential for radar plotting.
- A maximum of two people per simulator station.
- Skills gained in the RYA Radar course:
- Setting up the radar, tuning and gain
- An understanding of the use, pros and cons of the different modes of operation
- Interpreting the picture
- Correct and safe use of Rain control Sea clutter control FTC
- Calculate range or radar horizon
- An understanding of the effects of beam-width and antennae size on picture
- An understanding of the effects of pulse length on picture
- An understanding of relative motion
- Ability to plot radar targets on a plotting sheet and calculation of real course and speed
- Use of, and awareness of, the limitations of MARPA
- Use of true and relative vectors
- Equipment available for the RYA Radar course
- 7 Station Lightmaster Radar training suite
- 1 Raymarine E 120 Radar / Chartplotter linked to a plasma screen
- 1 White board
- 1 Dedicated air conditioned marina side training room within Allabroad’s shorebased facility
- RYA Radar exercise book (for you to keep)
- RYA Introduction to radar (for you to keep)
Course summary
- Minimum Pre-course Experience & Assumed Knowledge
- None
- Duration
- 1 day , 0930 to 1730
- Certificate
- RYA Radar
- Price
- £90
- Availability
- Course dates: Saturday 1st October (fully booked) & Saturday 5th November
- Groups of six may set dates at their convenience.
