Where can I...?

J

johnniethek

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
414
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 S
Hull Identification Number
FMLT29211617
Vessel Name
Salish Searcher
...take a class that will teach me how to operate a radar?

I take delivery of my new R-27 OB in May. It comes with a 4KW radar dome.

My 21-EC, the Red Ranger, has a radar reflector but no radar. So I want/need to take a class on how to read/operate a radar.

Can you folks kindly suggest where I can take a class to learn that stuff?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

J
 
I don't know where you can take a class, and not gonna say you shouldn't, but I never had radar before my Ranger, and it's really easy to learn.

Go out on a clear day and setup your dual Nav/Radar chart. The red shapes you see on the water are other boats/objects. The menu is very intuitive and you will quickly feel very comfortable using the radar with very little official training
 
Some suggestions...

1) Look around for a USCG Aux training class to see if "radar" is part of the agenda.

2) There are lots of books and info on the Web that should help.

3) Get out on your boat and start using it per the Garmin manual.

4) Discuss "radar" use with your dock neighbors.

5) Find a boat friend with good radar knowledge and ask for a ride for them to teach you how to use there/yours radar.

6) I think there are several Tugnut posts discussing radar use... so do a search for them.
 
Once you get an idea of what the radar can show you. You need to go into setup and change AUTO gain to MANUAL and then play with that as well. My understanding is that RT delivers the boat with the gain set to AUTO, which I believe is the default setting. During my test ride, radar was barely picking up boats that were 150ft in front of us. What I found was there was a cliff nearby behind us and the unit was setting the gain based on the reflection from the cliff. When I put the gain in Manual and readjusted it, I was then able to see the boats in front of us. There are lots of adjustments to play with, you won't break anything by adjusting things. If you really mess things up, set it back to default and start again. Getting some pointers from fellow boaters and then experimenting with the radar on a clear calm day is the best way to learn it.
 
Garmin has some u tube videos you could take a look at. As others have said the best thing to do is use it on clear days often. Comparing the contacts with the nav screen using a split screen you will then get to know what it is showing you. When you are in reduced visibility you will be more comfortable and trusting what the radar is showing you. The radar overlay screen is a good one to learn on.
When in fog turn the stereo off so you can hear horns from other boats, go slow and everyone on board should be acting as lookouts.
Enjoy your new boat!!
 
johnniethek":28d3dssh said:
...take a class that will teach me how to operate a radar?

I take delivery of my new R-27 OB in May. It comes with a 4KW radar dome.

My 21-EC, the Red Ranger, has a radar reflector but no radar. So I want/need to take a class on how to read/operate a radar.

Can you folks kindly suggest where I can take a class to learn that stuff?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

J
Click to expand...

Johnnie,

I see you are from WA, if you are doing the factory delivery we cover that in the orientation. Garmin has done a great job at making the radar and the whole system itself very easy to do without getting yourself into trouble or lost. If you can use a smartphone you can use the Garmin radar and plotter, it is very similar in that aspect. If you have any questions before or after your delivery we would be happy to help.

Thank you,
 
Unless you are a total dunce on electronics, and I doubt you are, you will find turning the thing on, watching a few you tubes and carefully reading the manual, that you will self train in a few hours on the basics. I was operating and using radar on my C-Dory over the period of a few days. Operating is a few minute deal. Interpreting what you see is best done by getting on your cruise type of waters in good weather and daytime and seeing what the radar presents compared to what you see with your eyes and binoculars. Modern radars take pretty good care of themselves. Again, interpretation is what you need to work on. Classes aren't bad if you can find them, but it is your brand of radar on your boat on your installation, mast etc. that can change interpretation issues in ways that a class can't help. Get out on the water, take the manuals, make sure you have a look-out and do some clear weather navigation. Eventually, along with your "sighted" look out, you can put on a long billed cap that will keep you from seeing outside and do navigation with radar and GPS alone. It is a lot of fun to learn that way. You will get so you can get back very close to your slip on radar and GPS alone. My big interest in radar is avoiding other vessels. It is magical for that along with a good "eye" watch.
 
Another learning tool is to turn your radar on when you head out onto the water on nice days, this of course after you've read the manual, watched a few youtube videos, etc. By observing how the radar performs on clear calm days, seeing where other vessels and shore are highlighted, you'll be gaining knowledge you'll be able to use once you're out in fowl weather. Practice, practice, practice.

Jim F
 
I worked on RADAR in navy 50 years ago. You had to learn how to operate and interpret what you saw. The modern Garmin is very easy. I run auto, use when you can see and you will soon learn how to correlate yellow trace to what you see. I like chart with photo overlay.
 
John: Your R-27/OB will not be in your hot sticky hands until May. Suggest you come down to my R-27/OB in Port Of Edmonds and we can both go out and radar track Ferry boats, Sail boats, Tankers, etc and I'll act as the 'lookout' for you and while you gawk at the radar screen display. I need a 2nd hand to record some operational performance numbers. :lol:
 
I might add, that take a radar friend along and do an actual fog run. It is quite educational with a great learning curve, and you radar friend will help interpute what's on the radar. I found there is a difference between a clear day and clear fog!
 
Thanks, one and all.

Barry, I will take you up on your kind offer whenever it works best for you...

By the way, any word on whether the Garmin 7612 chartplotter in the 27-footer is of the xsv variety?

Cheers,

J
 
The actual radar unit is somewhat easy to use. Knowing what it shows and what it doesn’t show is a much more complex issue. Most radar has limitations in terms of what it will show you in low in the water (buoys crab traps etc.),short boatsdirectly behind you and limitations as to showing things very close to you in all directions. Small boats with a low profile are often missed. Knowing how to set your radar to pick up these most critical obstacles to navigation in the most pressing circumstances-entering or leaving a Harbor in dense fog- is tricky and really important to assure you that what you see is everything around you. Don’t forget that the more things you store on top of your boat in line with your radar beam the less reliable it could be (bicycles,crab traps etc.).
 
Bellevue sail and power squadron will be hosting two radar seminars this spring. Seminars are 2 hours long and are presented at Bellevue West Marine on Wednesday evenings. The first is Scheduled for March 21 and the second for June 27. Check out http://bellevuepowersquadron.org/ for registration information. The Radar seminar is scheduled to be taught by a very experienced boater who also has worked as a radar engineer.

I’m guessing this may not help you a bunch given you are in Enumclaw, but I thought I’d throw it out. There are USPS chapters closer to you, but I don’t know their seminar schedule. USPS.org is a good place to start.

I have also found the book the book The Radar Book 2nd edition by Kevin Monahan to be pretty decent now that it comes with a 2017 addendum that makes the book more current. The book is available on Amazon, and if you take the radar seminar, they give you a copy.
 
Before you take a class I suggest you learn the basics on your own... Terminology and basic screen function... This can be done on youtube.. Once you have the basics take the class...and then find someone locally that known the radar you have and let them cruise with you for a while...RADAR is like reading the Charts or reading weather...Lot of Knowledge (Booklearning) and Wisdom (ScrewingUP and Fixinit)...
 
The Radar Book 2nd Edition Kevin Monahan
 
johnniethek":t8d61u8u said:
...take a class that will teach me how to operate a radar?

I take delivery of my new R-27 OB in May. It comes with a 4KW radar dome.

My 21-EC, the Red Ranger, has a radar reflector but no radar. So I want/need to take a class on how to read/operate a radar.

Can you folks kindly suggest where I can take a class to learn that stuff?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

J
Click to expand...

I see Waggoners is offering a Cruisers College Seminar specifically on how to use radar...

http://waggonerguide.com/flotillas/crui ... -seminars/

In Anacortes. $45. January 13th.
 
Thanks, and I plan to attend this workshop.

JtK
 
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