Fundamentals of Radar

Question 1

What are the two types of radar?

Answer 1

Primary radar and secondary radar

Question 2

What is primary radar?

Answer 2

Radar without beacons, echo only

Question 3

What is secondary radar?

Answer 3

Radar with beacons (transponders)

Question 4

What is resolution?

Answer 4

Ability to distinguish between targets

Question 5

What are the 5 elements of primary radar?

Answer 5

Transmitter, Receiver, Duplexer, Antenna, Display

Question 6

What control can eliminate ground clutter?

Answer 6

MTI (Moving Target Indicator)

Question 7

What control can eliminate precipitation?

Answer 7

Circular Polarization

Question 8

What is Anomalous Propagation?

Answer 8

Radar signal bent by moisture creating false returns

Question 9

What is Temperature Inversion?

Answer 9

Radar signal bent by warm air over cool air creating false returns

Question 10

What are false targets?

Answer 10

Spurrious targets produced by anomalous propagation or temperature inversion

Question 11

What is electronic radar interference?

Answer 11

Unintentional interference with the radar

Question 12

What is radar jamming?

Answer 12

Intentional interference with the radar

Question 13

What are the two types of radar jamming?

Answer 13

Passive (chaff) and active (electroninc interference)

Question 14

What are target fades?

Answer 14

Targets in areas with weak radar returns

Question 15

What equipment is added to make secondary radar?

Answer 15

Interrogator

Question 16

What transponder suffixes are used to indicate transponder with altitude readout?

Answer 16

/U does not have DME
/A has DME
/P TACAN capable
/I RNAV capable
/G GNSS (GPS) capable
/W (/A with RVSM)
/Z (/I with RVSM)
/L (/G with RVSM)

Question 17

What is ring around on a radar?

Answer 17

Improperly adjusted transponder causes radar to show multiple returns ringing around the radar

Question 18

What are some advantages of secondary radar?

Answer 18

Better target reception, longer range, not bothered by ground clutter or weather

Question 19

What are some disadvantages of secondary radar?

Answer 19

Doesn’t pick up primary targets, does not provide weather information, can get echos

Question 20

What types of items are on a video map?

Answer 20

Airports, airways, boundaries, approach courses, obstructions, range marks

Question 21

What is radar sweep?

Answer 21

Movement of the radar in a circular motion as it updates the display

Question 22

What transponder suffixes are used to indicate RVSM capable?

Answer 22

H - Transponder or mode C inoperative
W - VOR navigation
Z - RNAV navigation
L - GPS navigation