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They say the old ones are the best, but In not so sure! The older CRT radars were good, although modern technology such as ARPA, performance testing, radar overlay etc make your life a little easier.
The big problem with the older CRT radars were the fact that you always nearly had to have your head stuck in a rubber tube in order to see the picture, new daylight screens mean you can look at a radar picture and look out the window at the same time!
Of course the other problem with CRT radars is the life of the screen, too much gain and it actually burns the centre of the screen meaning no screen no picture.
The ability to plot multiply targets with ARPA in seconds means although not 100% accurate it is still as good as the old fashioned way of manual plotting with a chinograph pencil, especially when changes of course and speed are involved. The modern radars sometime allow you to use a 'Trial manoeuvre' function to experiment with speed and or course changes which will display the new vectors on the radar screen without actually altering course or speed.
The new technology, although more complicated, is far superior in its detection capability and image. The picture is often digitally enhanced and offers greater user control in how you want to see the picture in terms of motion and vectors. Interestingly, even with super radars that cost upwards of £40k I always used to tune it and adjust the clutter levels manually!
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