🔍 Key Concepts

• Racon (radar beacon) operation and how it appears on different radar wavelengths (3 cm vs 10 cm) • Effect of rain clutter control and gain control on weak radar echoes • Interaction between two different radar sets on the same vessel and possible interference

💭 Think About

• Think about whether a racon signal is usually a strong or weak return and what settings help you see weak returns without washing out the screen. • Consider which controls, if set incorrectly, could actually hide or suppress a racon’s coded reply on your display. • Ask yourself if operating another radar (on a different wavelength) at the same time would affect your ability to see the racon on the 3 cm radar.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify how rain clutter control affects short‑range, low‑level echoes like racon replies. • Check whether turning the gain all the way up is recommended for identifying specific targets or might just increase background noise. • Consider whether any other radar equipment running simultaneously could interfere with or mask racon signals on your 3 cm radar.