Lowrance HDS-12 Gen3 Installation Manual US - Page 40

Autopilot setup

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Sidelobe suppression (Broadband radar only)  Note: This control should only be adjusted by experienced radar users. Target loss in harbour environments may occur if this control is not adjusted correctly. Occasionally, false target returns can occur adjacent to strong target returns such as large boats or container ports. This occurs because not all of the transmitted radar energy can be focused into a single beam by the radar antenna; a small amount of energy is transmitted in other directions. This energy is referred to as sidelobe energy and occurs in all radar systems. The returns caused by sidelobes tend to appear as arcs: When the radar is mounted where there are metallic objects near the radar, sidelobe energy increases because the beam focus is degraded. The increased sidelobe returns can be eliminated using the Sidelobe Suppression control in the Radar installation menu. By default, this control is set to Auto and normally should not need to be adjusted. However, if there is significant metallic clutter around the radar, sidelobe suppression may need to be increased. The control should be adjusted as follows: 1. Set Radar range to between 1/2 nm to 1 nm and Sidelobe Suppression to Auto. 2. Take the vessel to a location where sidelobe returns are likely to be seen. Typically this would be near a large boat, container port, or metal bridge 3. Traverse the area until the strongest sidelobe returns are seen. 4. Change Auto sidelobe suppression to OFF then select and adjust the sidelobe suppression control until the sidelobe returns are just eliminated. You may need to monitor 5-10 radar sweeps to be sure they have been eliminated. 5. Traverse the area again and readjust if sidelobes returns still occur. 6. Exit the installation menu. Restore radar to Factory Default This can be used to revert all user adjustments to factory settings. Autopilot setup Autopilot features will be enabled when a pilot computer is connected. No special setup is required. See the operator manual for further details. 38 | Software setup | HDS Gen3 Installation Manual

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38 |
Software setup |
HDS Gen3 Installation Manual
Sidelobe suppression (Broadband radar only)
Note:
This control should only be adjusted by experienced radar
users. Target loss in harbour environments may occur if this control is
not adjusted correctly.
Occasionally, false target returns can occur adjacent to strong target
returns such as large boats or container ports. This occurs because
not all of the transmitted radar energy can be focused into a single
beam by the radar antenna; a small amount of energy is transmitted
in other directions. This energy is referred to as sidelobe energy and
occurs in all radar systems.
The returns caused by sidelobes tend to appear as arcs:
When the radar is mounted where there are metallic objects near
the radar, sidelobe energy increases because the beam focus is
degraded. The increased sidelobe returns can be eliminated using
the Sidelobe Suppression control in the Radar installation menu.
By default, this control is set to Auto and normally should not
need to be adjusted. However, if there is significant metallic clutter
around the radar, sidelobe suppression may need to be increased.
The control should be adjusted as follows:
1.
Set Radar range to between 1/2 nm to 1 nm and Sidelobe
Suppression to Auto.
2.
Take the vessel to a location where sidelobe returns are likely to be
seen. Typically this would be near a large boat, container port, or
metal bridge
3.
Traverse the area until the strongest sidelobe returns are seen.
4.
Change Auto sidelobe suppression to OFF then select and adjust
the sidelobe suppression control until the sidelobe returns are just
eliminated. You may need to monitor 5-10 radar sweeps to be sure
they have been eliminated.
5.
Traverse the area again and readjust if sidelobes returns still occur.
6.
Exit the installation menu.
Restore radar to Factory Default
This can be used to revert all user adjustments to factory settings.
Autopilot setup
Autopilot features will be enabled when a pilot computer is
connected. No special setup is required. See the operator manual
for further details.