beasleym
Contributor
Anybody thought of trying something similar to the fractal antennas to reduce the size, match frequencies, or increase the apparent size of the reflector?
Radar-reflective SMB or Safety Sausage
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Radar Detectable SMB
A new product at DEMA ... Quality Diving Equipment by Custom Divers - SEEKER - RADAR DETECTABLE SMB
Quality Diving Equipment by Custom Divers - SEEKER - RADAR DETECTABLE SMB
DEMA video ... DEMA '09 Part 2 ... at 5:32
A new product at DEMA ... Quality Diving Equipment by Custom Divers - SEEKER - RADAR DETECTABLE SMB
Quality Diving Equipment by Custom Divers - SEEKER - RADAR DETECTABLE SMB
DEMA video ... DEMA '09 Part 2 ... at 5:32
ScubaVideo
Contributor
I know this is an old thread, but it is also the latest one I can find on the radar detectable SMB called the Seeker. The last post says its a DEMA and that's it, but they are selling them on their website. Has anyone tried one? I realize you probably can't test the radar reflectiveness, but how about as an SMB?
Any info? Do they even sell it in the US?
Any info? Do they even sell it in the US?
grouchyturtle
Contributor
Considering, as others have said, even making a small boat show up as a blip in the open ocean can be hard, is this really a feasible idea? Won't even a sausage be too close to the surface of the water, especially in rough conditions, to show up on radar?
Maybe a better option, would be a small AIS transmitter for divers? Of course you'd have to get over the current hurdle that you can only register a vessel, not a person.
Maybe a better option, would be a small AIS transmitter for divers? Of course you'd have to get over the current hurdle that you can only register a vessel, not a person.
ScubaVideo
Contributor
From the sticky: Best signalling equipment from the searchers point of view:
Custom Divers, the maker of the Seeker SMB claims 1.5 miles for surface craft and 2 miles for air craft. I don't know how they came up with that data, but I will take radar detectable over not just in case. Particularly because of Navy OnStar's comments in the quote above.
What is an AIS? I have a PLB (personal locator beacon) in a water proof canister. It is registrable to people or ships.
Custom Divers, the maker of the Seeker SMB claims 1.5 miles for surface craft and 2 miles for air craft. I don't know how they came up with that data, but I will take radar detectable over not just in case. Particularly because of Navy OnStar's comments in the quote above.
What is an AIS? I have a PLB (personal locator beacon) in a water proof canister. It is registrable to people or ships.
grouchyturtle
Contributor
I'll take diving from my own boat, and knowing I set the hook, and won't leave without me.
Here you go. Way better than I could explain it. Currently only registrable to boats and required on large ships. But it's a type of technology I could easily see adapted for this purpose.
Here you go. Way better than I could explain it. Currently only registrable to boats and required on large ships. But it's a type of technology I could easily see adapted for this purpose.
Zeagle Eagle
Contributor
What about a transponder, a small portable one like on a airplane?
Sanpaku
Registered
Instructables: Really Lightweight Radar Reflector built with CDs
Zeagle Eagle
Contributor
Sanpaku
Registered
CDs are fine maritime radar reflectors, given the correct orientation to the transmitter and elevation above the waves.
CDs: The Ideal Surface-Detection Aid?
Elevation above the surface may be more important than correct reflector geometry. Tinfoil hats beat out dedicated radar reflectors in the following test, due to elevation:
Radar, Reflectors and Sea Kayaks: A Visibility Study
The suggestion for CDs at the top of a SMB was inspired by this excellent post on a spearfishing board:
Lost at Sea...survival equipment discussion
My thought was that his CD array could be improved as right-angle radar reflector with a bit of jigsaw cutting.
On reflection (er) considering the sea kayak article, its possible the lightest and most flexible emergency radar reflector would be a crumpled space blanket (those aluminized mylar emergency blankets), tied with some extra line to the top of an SMB. For daytime aerial detection the blanket could be cut into strips and tied at corners to make a budget RescueStreamer, and some could be used as midday shade to avoid sunburn.
CDs: The Ideal Surface-Detection Aid?
Elevation above the surface may be more important than correct reflector geometry. Tinfoil hats beat out dedicated radar reflectors in the following test, due to elevation:
Radar, Reflectors and Sea Kayaks: A Visibility Study
The suggestion for CDs at the top of a SMB was inspired by this excellent post on a spearfishing board:
Lost at Sea...survival equipment discussion
My thought was that his CD array could be improved as right-angle radar reflector with a bit of jigsaw cutting.
On reflection (er) considering the sea kayak article, its possible the lightest and most flexible emergency radar reflector would be a crumpled space blanket (those aluminized mylar emergency blankets), tied with some extra line to the top of an SMB. For daytime aerial detection the blanket could be cut into strips and tied at corners to make a budget RescueStreamer, and some could be used as midday shade to avoid sunburn.
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