Selecting The Scanner Unit Site - Raymarine Pathfinder Radar Scanner Owner's Handbook Manual

1.3 Selecting the scanner unit site

This section provides information that affects the possible locations of the
scanner, and its position relative to the display unit and to the power supply.
The dimensions of the each scanner unit are shown in the following diagrams.
Selecting the best location for the scanner unit requires careful consideration of
the following points, to ensure reliable and trouble free operation:
In order to minimize potential interference to other systems on board ship (EMC), it
Note:
is advisable to mount the scanner on a part of the boat that is insulated from the ship's bat-
tery negative. If you cannot do this, and encounter problems, you can fit insulating bushes
between the scanner and its mounting bracket.
• Height: The scanner unit should normally be mounted as high as practical
above the waterline, for three reasons:
• For safety reasons the scanner should be out of range of personnel, pref-
erably above head height. This avoids mechanical danger and electro-
magnetic contact, particularly with the eyes.
• Radar operates at the line-of-sight, so a high mounting position gives bet-
ter long range performance.
• Surrounding large objects, in the same horizontal plane, can interfere
with the radar signal and cause blind areas or shadow sectors and false
targets on the radar screen (see below).
However, do not mount the scanner so high that it is affected by the pitching
and rolling of the vessel. In addition, you may need to lower the scanner to
avoid creating a shadow sector underneath the scanner's beam.
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