Health risks from Radar

[Oisre]

I was wondering would anybody more know about the possible health risks of standing beside (within 2m) a radome (2kw Antenna) for periods of up to 4-5hrs?

[Hightower]

I know that your eye's start boiling with high power units and that long exposure to lower power ones cause cataracts in ya eye's, so it's pretty certain to me that it's not going to be too safe for your body. Radar like any radio wave is a form of RADIATION! Get it above your head as it's a very directional beam.

Andy

[Oisre]

..... I will have a Raymarine unit (Compact 18" High Performance Pathfinder 2KW Radome Antenna) on our A frame and will have the console within a couple of feet of the A frame. Just thinking long term about the bit of a brain that i do have left!!

[jwalker]

Remember, you've got more that 20° vertical beam width.

Gives a new meaning to the saying, "Go boil ya heed.".

[Swifty]

How close would you like to get to a microwave oven? The radar is chucking out twice the power of a microwave oven!

Read the instructions. And stick to them.

I have to ask why you want a radar on a rib? I doubt you would be able to 'watch' the radar properly and use all the features of a set. Or do you just use it in bad visibility.

Be interested to know.

[Louise]

This was discussed a few months ago so this thread may be of interest. HTH.

[Oisre]

Thanks for that Louise.
Swifty, we do a bit of night diving and have to travel a couple of NM to get there, bit unnerving traveling at 20+knots and not being able to see much. Thought this might help in traveling a wee bit safer. Also almost got caught out when out diving one day on our return a heavy sea fog (real pea souper) came in and we nearly hit the headland! and we were only doing a couple of knots! With the new rib on the way we hope to do a bit more spinning and if it keeps us out of trouble in some way or another then its worth it IMHO. Was just concerened about the poor old grey matter thats all! Have subsuquently decided to raise the height of the dome by about a foot or so.
RM

[Swifty]

[QUOTE=Oisre] Swifty, we do a bit of night diving and have to travel a couple of NM to get there, bit unnerving traveling at 20+knots and not being able to see much.

Yeah we go out at night but rarely more than 5M out, and there is usually a bloom to show which way land is. Had a play with radar on a couple of bigger boats, 15M+, and it was hard enough at 20kn in a comfy cabin.

All the best.

[jwalker]

I had radar on my 6.5mtr rib and it was fine. My favourite piece of kit. Learn to use it before you go out in the dark.

[Oisre]

Thanks JW will do Its to late now cause its here!! Time to fry 'em up.
RM