2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.

4 PRECAUTIONS

2.4.1 Installation of radar antenna

1) Precautions for transporting and storing the radar antenna
• A radar antenna is a heavy load. Be very careful about handling it.
• Do not allow the radar antenna fall on its side while it is stored or being installed.
• Do not apply rope to the radar antenna in the way that squeezes or deforms the radiating
section.
• When hoisting the radar antenna by a crane, do not hoist it by attaching a belt or a rope
only to the radar antenna's radiating section as shown in Fig 2-4 Improper way to hoist.
• When lifting the S-band radar antenna (Fig 2-5 S-band):
When lifting the radar antenna with the radiator by a crane, attach a rope (or belt/wire) to four
hoisting eyebolts attached to the radar antenna's chassis, and then lift the radar antenna so that a
protector attached on the radiator will be located between the rope and radiator.
Use suitable rope in length so that the distance from the crane's hook to the hoisting eyebolts will be
2.5m or more.
Use the protector attached on the radiator in factory, an additional protector should be not used.
Because excessive protector will cause damage to the radiator's radome. After installation of the
radar antenna, remove the protector from the radiator.
If the lifting rope is attached to the radar antenna's support section located at the bottom of the
radiator, a load is imposed to the joint between the radiator and the chassis, then this will cause
damage.
On lifting the radar antenna, if the lifting rope (or belt/wire) is short, or a protector is not used, it will
scratch the radiator's radome.
If, moreover, excessive protector is attached to the radiator’s redome, the redome will be overloaded
and possibly be damaged (cracked, for example). So care should be taken.
• When lifting the X-band radar antenna (Fig 2-6 X-band):
Wrap a cloth around the radar antenna's support section located at the bottom of the radiator, and
then attach a rope to it to lift the radar antenna.

Fig 2-4 Improper way to hoist

Fig 2-5 S-band

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

Fig 2-6 X-band

2) Installation procedures
a. Maintain a flat level surface on which to install the radar antenna.
• Use sufficiently thick steel material and reinforcement material for the radar
antenna's installation surface (mount base) to reduce vibration and impact.
Keep the mount base flat and smooth.
• If there is a partial gap between the mount base and the radar antenna chassis's
legs, work on the installation surface so that it becomes flat and smooth. If a
gap exists and the radar antenna is tightly clamped, the chassis will distort and
become damaged by vibration.

b. Avoid using vibration-proof rubber and resin

• Do not insert an elastic body, such as vibration-proof rubber or resin, between
the mount base and the radar antenna chassis' legs. If rubber or resin is
inserted, the amplitude of vibration increases, resulting in the possibility of
damage to the radar antenna. Furthermore, if installation bolts become loose
due to deterioration of rubber or resin, the radar antenna may be damaged or fall
from its mount.

3) Installation and clamping method

a. Installation direction
• Installation should be done so that the cable gland is oriented toward the stern.
b. Bolts, nuts and tightening torque to be used
• Use stainless steel bolts for the radar antenna and uniformly tighten all of the
bolts using double nuts for each bolt so that the bolts will not become loose
(Table 2-4 Length of radar antenna mounting bolts and tightening torque).
• Although the length of the bolt will differ according to the thickness of the mount
base, use a bolt long enough so that more than 4 millimeters of thread protrudes
beyond the double nuts after the double nuts have been tightened.

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

Table 2-4 Length of radar antenna mounting bolts and tightening torque

Thickness of Mount Bolt Torque(N-m)

Base(mm)

S-band 19 M12×65(mm) SUS304 65

X-band 12 M10×55(mm) SUS304 40

c. Use of washer and corrosion-resistant measures

• At the location where a bolt's head or nut comes in contact with the radar antenna chassis'
legs and the mount base, insert a plain washer which fits the bolt; and, at the location where
the nut comes in contact with the plain washer, insert a spring washer, and then securely
tighten the nuts (Fig 2-7 Use of washer and corrosion-resistant measures).
• To prevent corrosion due to the contacts between different metals, such as the radar antenna
chassis' legs, installation surface, bolts, nuts, etc., cover the bolt's head and nuts with sealant
(Fig 2-7 Use of washer and corrosion-resistant measures).

Fig 2-7 Use of washer and corrosion-resistant measures

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

d. Grounding and corrosion-resistant measures

• Ground the radar antenna chassis and the installation surface (hull) by using an earth line.
Apply sealant to the connection portion of the earth line to prevent corrosion and damage by
vibration (Fig 2-8 Grounding and corrosion-resistant measures).

Fig 2-8 Grounding and corrosion-resistant measures

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

2.4.2 Routing coaxial cable and flexible wave guide

In the case of the three-unit system consisting of the display unit,
transmitter-receiver, and the radar antenna, use a Coaxial cable, shown in
Fig 2-9 Coaxial cable, between the transmitter-receiver and the radar
antenna for the S-band, and use a Flexible wave guide, shown in Fig 2-10
Flexible wave guide, for the X-band.

1) Protecting coaxial cable and flexible wave guide

• Since cables and wave guides are hollow inside, when mounting them by using electric wire
bands, try not to fasten the bands too tightly around the cables and wave guides. If they are
fastened too tightly, the inside will become deformed or blocked, which may cause the
receiving sensitivity to decrease or the transmitter-receiver to be damaged.

Fig 2-9 Coaxial cable Fig 2-10 Flexible wave guide

Stabilize the coaxial cable and the flexible wave guide by supporting members that are at
maximum intervals of 1000 millimeters. Mount an angle whose height is 300 mm to 400 mm
as a supporting member for the horizontal wiring portion on the compass deck, and put a
protective metal cover over the cable and wave guide.

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

2) Preventing the connecting portion from becoming detached due to

vibration
• So that the connecting portions between the coaxial cable, the flexible wave guide and the
radar antenna's chassis stay level, and in order to prevent the connecting portion from
becoming detached due to vibration, provide supporting members, as shown in Fig 2-11
Position of S-band supporting member and Fig 2-12 Position of X-band supporting
member.
• The distance from the connecting portion and the supporting member should be 400
millimeters for the S-band and 300 millimeters for X-band.
• If the distance from the connecting portion and the supporting member is longer than the
above distance, vibration may cause metal fatigue, resulting in the occurrence of malfunction
even if the connecting portion is not removed.

Scanner terminal
Connecter MPDW00297

Be straight from connecter to first support clamp

HF coaxial cable support clamp Waveguide Clamp

Coaxial tube ground

Fig 2-11 Position of S-band supporting

Fig 2-12 Position of X-band supporting
member
member

• For the cable end processing, refer to the procedure manual which comes with the cable.

3) Permissible bending radius

• The permissible bending radius R of flexible wave guide is 200mm/400mm (E-bent/H-bent).
More sharp bending with less radius than this must be avoided.
• The permissible bending radius R of coaxial cable is 350mm. More sharp bending with less
radius than this must be avoided.

R=400mm(MIN)
R=200mm(MIN)
(a) E-bent (b) H-bent
E面曲げ半径 H面曲げ半径

Fig 2-13 The permissible bending radius of flexible wave guide

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

Fig 2-14 The permissible bending radius of coaxial cable

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

2.4.3 Radar antenna installation position

1) Physical selection criteria
• Install the radar antenna at the center of the mast on the keel line.
• If the radar antenna cannot be installed at the above position for some reason, the amount
of deviation must be minimized. And, reinforce the mount base and the platform and take
precautions to protect the radar antenna from vibration and impact at the installation
position. To avoid the radiating section coming in contact with other installed objects while it
is rotating, ensure that there is at least 200 millimeters from the swing circle (turning radius)
to other installed objects (Fig 2-15 Installation of radar antenna). The swing circle of the
JMR-7200/9200 radar's scanner is as shown in Table 2-5 Swing circle. See “SN.1/Circ.271
6.2(b)”.

Fig 2-15 Installation of radar antenna

Table 2-5 Swing circle

Radar antenna (length) Swing circle

NKE-1696-6 (6ft) 1880 mm

NKE-2103-6/6HS, NKE-1125/A-6, NKE-2254-6HS (6ft) 1910 mm

NKE-1129/A-7 (7ft) 2270 mm

NKE-2632/A, NKE-2632-H (8ft) 2770 mm

NKE-1696-9 (9ft) 2810 mm

NKE-1125/A-9, NKE-1129/A-9 (9ft) 2825 mm

NKE-1130/A, NKE-1139/A, NKE-1632/A (12ft) 4000 mm

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

• Avoid having a rope or signal flag from winding around the radiating section thereby
preventing it from rotating.
• Avoid the effects of dust and heat caused by smoke from a chimney.
• When determining the appropriate radar antenna height and installation location, take into
consideration the reduction of vibration, the strength of the hull and the radar antenna mount
base, and maintenance properties.
• Provide for maintenance space: platform, safety link, hand rail, steps, etc. The lower edge
of a radar antenna should be a minimum of 500 mm above any safety rail. See
“SN.1/Circ.271 6.1(b)”.
• When installing the radar antenna, select a location where there are the fewest structural
objects in the surrounding area so that the capability to drive the motor will not be depressed
by the non-equability wind which is likely to rotate the radar antenna.

2) Electrical selection criteria

• The installation height of the radar antenna relates to the maximum detection distance. The
higher, the better. However, if it is too high, radio wave energy greatly attenuates above the
radar antenna's vertical beam width (the point -3dB from the peak of the main lobe). As a
result, it is difficult to detect a close-in target. Sea clutter also increases. Determine the
installation height by taking into consideration the weight, maximum length of the cable, and
maintenance after installation. See “SN.1/Circ.271 6.3(b), 7.1”.
• If the installation height of the radar antenna is low, it is difficult to detect a long distance
target. The ship's mast, derrick, and chimney interfere with radiating beam causing the
range that cannot be viewed on the radar display to increase.
Generally, the lowest radar antenna installation position is supposed to be on the A-B line
shown in Fig 2-16 Lowest radar antenna installation height.
- In the case of the JMR-7210/7225/7296/9210/9225/9296 type radar, 2θ equals 20°.

- In the case of the JMR-7230/7272/7282/9230/9272/9282 type radar, 2θ equals 25°. Specifically, the
radar antenna position is normally elevated so that the chimney and the shrine-gate type mast do not
interfere with radiating beam.

- The A-B line shown in Fig 2-16 Lowest radar antenna installation height, or L line of sight from the
radar antenna to the bow of the ship should hit the surface of the sea in not more than 500 m or twice
the ship length, depending which value is smaller, for all load and trim conditions.

- See “SN.1/Circ.271 6.3(a)”.

JMR-7210/7225/7296/9210/9225/9296：θ = 10° B
JMR-7230/7272/7282/9230/9272/9282：θ = 12.5°

θ
A

Fig 2-16 Lowest radar antenna installation height

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

• If it is considered that sufficient installation height cannot be provided when the radar antenna
is installed directly on the roof of the wheelhouse, use a mounting rack or radar mast (Fig
2-17 Mounting rack and mast for the radar antenna). Normally, when the radar antenna
installation height is less than 2 meters from the roof of the wheelhouse, provide a mounting
rack assembled with angles to install the radar antenna. When the radar antenna installation
height is 2 meters or higher from the roof of the wheelhouse, provide a cylindrical radar mast
to install the radar antenna.
Consider the convenience of the service staff who take care of installation, maintenance,
adjustment, and repair of the radar antenna by providing adequate footholds to the mounting
rack and the radar mast.

Installation
Installation
Height
Height

Fig 2-17 Mounting rack and mast for the radar antenna

• When installing the radar antenna, select a location where there are the fewest structural
objects in the surrounding area so that false echoes which interfere with target detection will
not be generated by signal reflection from other radar antennas, deck structures, and cargo.
Only as a guide, note that structural objects should not exist within the range of the vertical
beam width (Fig 2-18 Radar antenna and the surrounding structural objects). See
“SN.1/Circ.271 6.2(a)”.
- Vertical beam width of X-band: Approx. 20° (±10.0° when the height of the radiating section
is 0°)

- Vertical beam width of S-band: Approx. 25° (±12.5° when the height of the radiating section
is 0°)

ビーム幅

Beam width

Fig 2-18 Radar antenna and the surrounding structural objects

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

• When installing two or more radar antennas, radar antennas in close proximity should have a
minimum vertical elevation separation angle of 20° and a minimum vertical separation of 1m
where possible, so that those radar antennas do not enter each other's vertical beam width
range. See “SN.1/Circ.271 6.1(c)”.

1m (min)

20°(min)

• To avoid interference with other equipment and to prevent radio noise from generating, do not
place the VHF antenna, GPS antenna, and INMARSAT's redome within the range of the
vertical beam width. See “SN.1/Circ.271 6.1(a)”.

• Keep a record of installation height data. The data is necessary for the initial setting of the
display unit.

• Minimize the blind sector, and ensure the adequate view angle so that the blind sector does
not exist in the range 22.5° from side to rear (Fig 2-19 Ensuring view angle). Specifically,
ensure a sufficient view field in the straight front (relative bearing 000°). See “SN.1/Circ.271
6.3(c)”.

• Individual blind sectors of more than 5°, or a total arc of blind sectors of more than 20°, should
not occur in the remaining arc, excluding the arc in Fig 2-19 Ensuring view angle. See
“SN.1/Circ.271 6.3(d)”.

• For radar installations with two radar systems, where possible, the antennas should be
placed in such a way as to minimize the blind sectors. See “SN.1/Circ.271 6.3(e)”.
Heading
0°direction

Make no blind sector

22.5° 22.5°

Individual blind sectors of more than 5°, or a total arc of blind

sectors of more than 20°, should not occur in the remaining arc.

Fig 2-19 Ensuring view angle

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2.Installation of Radar Antenna > 2.4 PRECAUTIONS

• Magnetron which has strong magnetic force is included in the radar antenna. Install the
radar antenna at least 6 meters away from nautical instruments including magnetic
compasses and chronometers. See “SN.1/Circ.271 6.2(c), 7(c)”.

*If there is a concern that structural objects existing within the vertical beam width may generate
false echo, equip the structural objects with a radio wave absorber. (There are two types of ab-
sorbers: broadband type having no specific resonant frequency and narrowband type which can
absorb a band with a specific frequency. Use those where applicable.) Furthermore, it is effec-
tive to install a metal reflector, which reflects radio waves upwardly, between the radar antenna
and a structural object so that the radar's radio wave will not directly come in contact with the
structural object.
When the structural objects exist in the surrounding area of radar antenna, the false echo may
appear. The sector blank function is effective to reduce the signal reflection from the structural
objects. Because it can stop transmission. Therefore, it may reduce the false echo appearance.

Because most radio wave absorbers have poor durability, some must be replaced every
year. When installing a reflector, the area to the rear of the reflector becomes a blind
sector. Therefore, minimize the size of the reflector.
When the sector blank function set to on, ensure a sufficient view field in the straight front.

*The above procedures for selecting a radar antenna installation position are described based on
the radar's scanner. Comprehensively select the radar antenna position by considering other
radar antenna's installation procedure manual, hull's structure, strength of the selected position,
and vibration.

2.4.4 Confirmation during test run

If the radar antenna vibrates a lot during test run, try to reduce or prevent vibration by
reinforcing the radar antenna mount base or using wire stays attached to the radar mast.

2.4.5 Others
• The design of the mounting platform for the radar antenna should take into
account the vibration requirements of resolution A.694(17) and furthermore
defined by IEC 60945. See “SN.1/Circ.271 7(d)”.
Vibration 2 to 13.2Hz Amplitude +/-1mm +/-10%

13.2 to 100Hz Acceleration 7m/s2

• All installations should facilitate protection of equipment, including cabling, from damage.

• The cables should be kept as short as possible to minimize attenuation of the signal. See
“SN.1/Circ.271 7.2(b)”.

• Crossing of cables should be done at right angles(90°) to minimize magnetic field coupling.
See “SN.1/Circ.271 7.2(e)”.

• All cables of the radar are to be run away from the cables of other radio equipment as much
as possible, thereby eliminating the interference on frequencies used for other radio
equipment due to the radar operation. Especially, radar antenna equipment cables should not
be run parallel with the cables of other radio equipment. See “SN.1/Circ.271 7.2(h)”.

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• Cable, coaxial cable and flexible wave guide should not be exposed sharp bends. See also
section 2.4.2 (4) “3) Permissible bending radius”. See “SN.1/Circ.271 7.2(g)”.

• Radar antennas and transmitter-receivers should be installed securely according to their

installation instructions. See “SN.1/Circ.271 7.2(i)”.

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