Radar Display Orientation Question

[Evergreen]

Hello:

We are writing from Shelburne, Nova Scotia. During our travel up here from Maryland we became familiar with our radar unit (an older Raytheon RL9 unit).

For a while we could not make head or tail out of what we were seeing on the screen and thought perhaps the unit was broken. Finally we realized that it was indeed working appropriately, HOWEVER, the display is rotated 45 degrees to the left (counter clockwise). The direction of travel indicator line still points straight up, however, the display of the objects is rotated to the left. As long a we remember that the unit is useable. We read the manual several times and even a separate guide book but have not been able to figure out how to correct the problem. Outside the unit appears to be mounted correctly.

Has anyone else ever experienced this problem and do you know how to correct it?

[Russell]

Sounds like the radome is installed wrong. Reguardless of how the casing looks. When you buy a radome, you have to put the guts inside of it oriented correctly for the installation you plan. Likely, your solution is going to be to remove the radome, open it and turn the antenna.

[Bill Cochrane]

Check the bearing alignment instructions on page 5-12 of the manual.

In brief, you'll need a target at about 2-3 miles that you can line up on your bow for zero relative bearing. You then measure the bearing to the target with the EBL; open setup mode (press MENU and GUARD at the same time), select "BEARING", press MENU and GUARD again; put the EBL on the target (keeping it visually aligned on the bow), select MENU, set the EBL to read the same bearing as first measured, then press MENU to end setup.

[dugout]

This is normal, or I should say, normal for a radar that has not been set up. Do you have the installation and OPS manuals? You need to do a heading alignment. There will probably be a set up menu. If the heading is off, the timing is probably not set up either and both will drastically affect the target range and bearing. These are settings you can do at the display. Typical procedure is to head the boat at a mark, buoy, or something that it a good target. Then adjust the heading on the radar display so your heading mark is on the target. Do this at different ranges so it is refined. Timing is a different issue. Position the boat near something you know is straight. Bridges or long bulkheads and breakwaters work well. Adjust the timing so the the straight object is straight and not curved out, pushing, or in, pulling, convex or concave.
This is a very basic outline and applies to most all radars. Consult the manual for better instructions.

Good Luck,

[dugout]

Check the bearing alignment instructions on page 5-12 of the manual.

Bill, I thnk we were typing at the same time.

[Russell]

Hmm, guess my newer radar is a bit different, never had a bearing alignment to do, but I did have to orient it properly in the radome. Ignore my post, these guys know better .

[Evergreen]

Thanks for everyones responses. We just assumed that the unit had been set up right in the past. But, it was just a "marina boat" and rarely used on the Chesapeake, so no one probably even used it or much less noticed that the setup had not been done. We will give the setup a try. Thanks again.