The Switch to Broadband

If you’ve seen the newer radar systems, you can’t help but appreciate how much better they are than the older pulse radars they are replacing.

As technology has advanced over the years, so has radar technology. Now known as solid-state broadband and CHIRP radar, these new marine radar systems outperform their replacements in many ways. Although the technology is impressive, using these new radars is easier than ever.

The basics

To fully understand the advantages of the new radar systems, it helps to understand the basic technology behind them and the technology they are replacing.

Older radar systems use pulse technology, transmitting a single strong microwave pulse produced from a device known as a magnetron. This is similar to the technology that is used in a microwave oven. The magnetron sends this signal out and waits for a reflected signal to return. The radar then processes this information and displays it on a screen as an image. It takes a lot of power, and the pulse it transmits can be a messy signal, making it harder to create a clear and sharp image return.

Newer solid-state or broadband radars operate on the same principle of sending signals out and creating an image from their returns, but how they accomplish this is different. Instead of a single brief and very high-wattage burst of microwave energy, the newer radars use a solid-state transmitter to transmit a wide range of progressive frequencies (broadband) at much lower power levels with clean, sharp frequencies.

Instead of just one burst, it sends a constant and increasing range of frequencies known as a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave or FMCW. When the signals return, it’s not just one frequency response but multiple layered frequencies that can draw a much clearer image of what it reflects off. Instead of just measuring the time it took for the one signal to return, the processor can determine what frequency is being received while knowing what frequency was transmitted when it received the original signal (an excellent multitasker, unlike myself). This translates to a much sharper and better-defined image. This type of radar works very similarly to CHIRP sonar, which produces excellent sonar images for fishermen.

So many advantages

This new technology has multiple advantages. The most obvious is improved radar imagery. With multiple continuous returns being processed and displayed, the images and definitions of markers, boats, weather and other returns are much sharper and more defined. For example, with this new technology, it is easier to see two channel markers that are close together, whereas older technology would have shown as only one return.

The technology also lends well to defining a smaller, weaker target, even when in front of a more substantial, solid target.

Another benefit is much lower power consumption. The power required to accomplish this is drastically lower because it’s not sending out one large pulse of energy but rather a constant lower power range of frequencies. An older 4kw radar was transmitting bursts at 4000 watts instead of just a few watts for a broadband transmission. This translates to much less demand on onboard batteries, which is appreciated in all vessels requiring more power or available power for longer durations. A little-known positive of the lower power consumption is also much-reduced radiation exposure.

Another advantage of these new radars is they are instantly available to use. There is no warm up time, as with older systems. The older magnetrons build up power internally to send the high burst or pulse, which is unnecessary with new radars. These radars are instantly on and ready to work when you need them.

This new technology works well within close quarters of the boat. It allows a signal return much closer to the boat than older radars, with some as close as 20 feet. This can be invaluable for seeing cans, markers and buoys near the boat in poor visibility. It’s a feature that once you get used to it, you wonder how you would have lived without it, especially in trap-laden waters.

With great new radar offerings from Garmin, Simrad, Lowrance, B&G, Raymarine and others, upgrading to a new radar has never produced better results. Once you have one of these new radars aboard, you can enjoy unparalleled situational awareness and make your time on the water much more stress-free and enjoyable.