Navigation Flashcards
Why are radar waves restricted in recording the range of low-lying objects?
A) Due to interference from other vessels
B) Because of the curvature of the Earth, limiting the radar horizon
C) Because radar waves cannot penetrate water
D) Due to limitations in the radar system’s power
B) Because of the curvature of the Earth, limiting the radar horizon
What factors determine the range of the radar horizon?
A) The frequency of the radar wave and the speed of the vessel
B) The type of radar system and the material of the radar antenna
C) The height of the antenna and the curvature of the Earth
D) The distance to the nearest coastline and the presence of other vessels
C) The height of the antenna and the curvature of the Earth
What distinguishes diffraction from refraction in terms of radar wave behavior?
A) Diffraction is caused by atmospheric conditions, while refraction is a property of electromagnetic waves.
B) Diffraction results from the curvature of the Earth, while refraction is due to the height of the radar antenna.
C) Diffraction is a property of electromagnetic waves, while refraction is influenced by atmospheric conditions.
D) Diffraction occurs when radar waves bounce off surfaces, while refraction occurs when radar waves bend due to the curvature of the Earth.
C) Diffraction is a property of electromagnetic waves, while refraction is influenced by atmospheric conditions
What is the definition of diffraction?
A) Diffraction is the bending of a wave as it passes through a medium.
B) Diffraction is the reflection of a wave from a surface.
C) Diffraction is the absorption of a wave by a material.
D) Diffraction is the bending of a wave as it passes an obstruction.
D) Diffraction is the bending of a wave as it passes an obstruction.
How does refraction affect the detection range of objects?
A) Refraction increases the detection range of objects.
B) Refraction decreases the detection range of objects.
C) Refraction has no effect on the detection range of objects.
D) Refraction may alter the detection range of objects depending on atmospheric conditions.
D) Refraction may alter the detection range of objects depending on atmospheric conditions.
What relationship between the radar horizon and the geometric horizon holds true in the absence of refraction effects?
A) They are always equal regardless of atmospheric conditions.
B) The radar horizon is always greater than the geometric horizon.
C) The radar horizon is always less than the geometric horizon.
D) They are the same for the specific antenna height in the absence of refraction.
D) They are the same for the specific antenna height in the absence of refraction.
What formula can be used to estimate the distance to the radar horizon ( d ) in nautical miles based on the height ( h ) of the antenna in feet, using a wavelength of 3 cm?
A) ( d = 1.22 \times h )
B) ( d = 1.22 \times \sqrt{h} )
C) ( d = 1.22 \times \frac{1}{h} )
D) ( d = 1.22 \times \frac{1}{\sqrt{h}} )
A) ( d = 1.22 \times h )
What determines whether echoes can be received from targets beyond the radar horizon?
A) The height of the reflecting surface of the target
B) The frequency of the radar waves
C) The speed of the vessel
D) The curvature of the Earth
A) The height of the reflecting surface of the target
What is the rate of decrease of pressure with height?
A) 3.6 mb/1000 ft
B) 10.13 mb/1000 ft
C) 36 mb/1000 ft
D) 1000 mb/36 ft
C) 36 mb/1000 ft
What is the rate of decrease of temperature with height?
A) 0.2°C/1000 ft
B) 1.5°C/1000 ft
C) 2.0°C/1000 ft
D) 15.0°C/1000 ft
C) 2.0°C/1000 ft
If the humidity is constant with height, what is the relative humidity at different altitudes?
A) It remains at 60% regardless of altitude.
B) It increases with altitude.
C) It decreases with altitude.
D) It fluctuates depending on atmospheric conditions.
A) It remains at 60% regardless of altitude.
In which conditions does sub-refraction occur?
A) When warm air overrides cold air
B) When cold air overrides warm air
C) When there is no temperature difference between air layers
D) When there is a temperature inversion
A) When warm air overrides cold air
What precautionary measures should be taken by the officer in charge of the watch in conditions of sub-refraction?
A) Increase speed and rely solely on radar for navigation.
B) Reduce speed and post extra lookouts.
C) Ignore the condition and maintain normal watch procedures.
D) Use only visual navigation methods and disregard radar information.
B) Reduce speed and post extra lookouts.
What conditions lead to super-refraction?
A) When warm air overrides cold air
B) When cold air overrides warm air
C) When there is no temperature difference between air layers
D) When there is a temperature inversion
A) When warm air overrides cold air
Under what conditions does super-refraction typically occur?
A) In calm weather with little or no turbulence
B) In stormy weather with high winds
C) In polar regions with extreme cold
D) In regions with frequent hurricanes
A) In calm weather with little or no turbulence or tropics
What phenomenon occurs when energy radiated at angles of 1˚ or less is trapped in a layer of the atmosphere?
A) Super-refraction
B) Sub-refraction
C) Surface radio duct
D) Radar horizon
C) Surface radio duct
What is the primary reason for the reduced chances of detecting targets above the surface radio duct?
A) Loss of energy in the radar rays escaping the duct
B) Interference from other vessels
C) Poor radar equipment quality
D) Atmospheric turbulence
A) Loss of energy in the radar rays escaping the duct
What effect can ducting have on radar range?
A) Ducting increases the effective radar range.
B) Ducting has no effect on radar range.
C) Ducting reduces the effective radar range.
D) Ducting improves radar accuracy.
C) Ducting reduces the effective radar range.
In which areas do ducting conditions occur?
A) Atlantic, Western Europe, Mediterranean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Pacific Ocean
B) Arctic, Antarctic, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Caribbean Sea
C) Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean
D) Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, Equatorial regions, Polar regions, and Subtropical regions
A) Atlantic, Western Europe, Mediterranean, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Pacific Ocean
What term describes the reduction in intensity of a wave as it propagates along its path?
A) Refraction
B) Reflection
C) Attenuation
D) Diffraction
C) Attenuation
What are the typical effects of weather on radar operation?
A) Weather increases the ranges at which targets can be detected and reduces unwanted echoes.
B) Weather has no effect on radar operation.
C) Weather reduces the ranges at which targets can be detected and produces unwanted echoes.
D) Weather improves radar clarity and enhances target detection.
C) Weather reduces the ranges at which targets can be detected and produces unwanted echoes.
What causes attenuation in radar waves?
A) Absorption and scattering of energy by precipitation
B) Reflection off solid surfaces
C) Refraction due to temperature changes
D) Diffraction around obstacles
A) Absorption and scattering of energy by precipitation
At what wavelength does the effect of precipitation start to become of practical significance?
A) Longer than 10 cm
B) Shorter than 10 cm
C) Exactly 10 cm
D) It is not affected by wavelength
B) Shorter than 10 cm
When does the effect of precipitation become significant in radar operation?
A) At wavelengths longer than 10 cm
B) At wavelengths shorter than 10 cm
C) At wavelengths longer than 100 cm
D) At wavelengths shorter than 100 cm
B) At wavelengths shorter than 10 cm
Which radar band typically suffers less attenuation in precipitation conditions?
A) S-band (10 cm)
B) X-band (3 cm)
C) L-band (15 cm)
D) C-band (5 cm)
A) S-band (10 cm)
How does encountering areas with industrial pollution, such as smog, affect radar signals compared to encountering sea fog?
A) Industrial pollution causes less attenuation than sea fog.
B) Industrial pollution causes more attenuation than sea fog.
C) Industrial pollution has no effect on radar signals.
D) Sea fog causes more attenuation than industrial pollution.
B) Industrial pollution causes more attenuation than sea fog.
Why are clouds typically not detected by radar at a 3 cm wavelength?
A) Cloud droplets are too large to produce a detectable response.
B) Cloud droplets are too small to produce a detectable response.
C) Clouds absorb radar waves at this wavelength.
D) Clouds reflect radar waves away from the radar system.
B) Cloud droplets are too small to produce a detectable response.
How does hail typically affect radar detection compared to rain?
A) Hail reflects radar energy more effectively than rain.
B) Hail reflects radar energy less effectively than rain.
C) Hail has no effect on radar detection.
D) Hail causes more attenuation than rain.
B) Hail reflects radar energy less effectively than rain.
When is falling snow typically observed on radar displays?
A) Falling snow is observed on both 3 cm and 10 cm radar displays.
B) Falling snow is observed only on 10 cm radar displays.
C) Falling snow is observed only on 3 cm radar displays.
D) Falling snow is not typically observed on radar displays.
C) Falling snow is observed only on 3 cm radar displays.
When might attenuation due to heavy snowfall be observed on radar displays?
A) Attenuation due to heavy snowfall is observed on both 3 cm and 10 cm radar displays.
B) Attenuation due to heavy snowfall is observed only on 10 cm radar displays.
C) Attenuation due to heavy snowfall is observed only on 3 cm radar displays.
D) Attenuation due to heavy snowfall is not typically observed on radar displays.
A) Attenuation due to heavy snowfall is observed on both 3 cm and 10 cm radar displays.
How does dust typically affect radar detection?
A) Dust particles produce detectable responses and cause significant attenuation.
B) Dust particles rarely produce detectable responses and cause minimal attenuation.
C) Dust particles produce detectable responses but cause minimal attenuation.
D) Dust particles rarely produce detectable responses but cause significant attenuation.
B) Dust particles rarely produce detectable responses and cause minimal attenuation.
In what range of pulses per second do the majority of modern marine radars operate?
A) 40 to 400
B) 400 to 4000
C) 4000 to 40,000
D) 40,000 to 400,000
B) 400 to 4000
How is the maximum measurable range typically determined in radar systems?
A) By dividing the radar’s wavelength by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF)
B) By multiplying the radar’s wavelength by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF)
C) By dividing the speed of light by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF)
D) By dividing 80,915 (radar nautical miles per second) by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF)
D) By dividing 80,915 (radar nautical miles per second) by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF)
How many pulses will a radar set produce for each degree of antenna rotation if the antenna is rotating at 15 revolutions per minute and the pulse repetition rate (PRR) is 800 pulses per second?
A) Approximately 6 pulses
B) Approximately 9 pulses
C) Approximately 12 pulses
D) Approximately 15 pulses
B) Approximately 9 pulses
How is pulse length typically defined in radar systems?
A) The distance traveled by the radar wave in one pulse
B) The duration of the transmitted radar pulse, usually measured in microseconds
C) The time it takes for the radar wave to return to the radar system
D) The frequency of the transmitted radar pulse
B) The duration of the transmitted radar pulse, usually measured in microseconds
What is the minimum range of a radar set with a pulse length of 1 microsecond?
A) 82 yards
B) 164 yards
C) 328 yards
D) 656 yards
B) 164 yards
What does it mean if a radar set has a minimum range of 164 yards with a pulse length of 1 microsecond?
A) Targets within this range will be displayed with reduced accuracy.
B) Targets within this range will not be detected due to masking by the transmitted pulse.
C) Targets within this range will be displayed with enhanced clarity.
D) Targets within this range will produce unusually strong echoes.
B) Targets within this range will not be detected due to masking by the transmitted pulse.
What is the approximate distance traveled by radio-frequency energy in 1 microsecond?
A) 0.082 nautical mile or 164 yards
B) 0.162 nautical mile or 328 yards
C) 0.328 nautical mile or 656 yards
D) 0.656 nautical mile or 1312 yards
B) 0.162 nautical mile or 328 yards
Why is the minimum detectable range for a target typically set at 164 yards when using a pulse length of 1 microsecond?
A) Because echoes from closer targets are too weak to be detected.
B) Because echoes from closer targets are masked by the transmitted pulse.
C) Because echoes from closer targets arrive after the radar pulse has already been transmitted.
D) Because echoes from closer targets interfere with echoes from farther targets.
B) Because echoes from closer targets are masked by the transmitted pulse.
What trade-off occurs when using a shorter pulse length in radar systems?
A) Maximum detection range capability is improved.
B) Maximum detection range capability is sacrificed for better range accuracy and resolution.
C) Maximum detection range capability remains unchanged.
D) Better range accuracy and resolution are sacrificed for maximum detection range capability.
B) Maximum detection range capability is sacrificed for better range accuracy and resolution.
What is the term for the useful power of the transmitter, contained in the radiated pulses?
A) Average power
B) Peak power
C) Pulse power
D) Transmit power
B) Peak power
What is the relationship between pulse repetition time (PRT) and pulse repetition rate (PRR)?
A) They are directly proportional.
B) They are inversely proportional.
C) They are equal.
D) They are unrelated.
B) They are inversely proportional.
What is the formula for average power in radar systems?
A) Average Power = pulse length / pulse repetition time
B) Average Power = pulse length * pulse repetition time
C) Average Power = pulse length + pulse repetition time
D) Average Power = pulse length - pulse repetition time
A) Average Power = pulse length / pulse repetition time
Sure, here’s a multiple-choice question based on the provided information:
For a radar with a pulse length of 2 microseconds and a pulse repetition rate of 500 cycles per second (pulse repetition time = 2,000 microseconds), what is the average power of the radar?
A) 0.5 watts
B) 1 watt
C) 2 watts
D) 4 watts
C) 2 watts
Who issues Broadcast Notices to Mariners?
A) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
B) United Nations (UN)
C) International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
D) United States Coast Guard (USCG)
D) United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Who issues Local Notices to Mariners?
A) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
B) United Nations (UN)
C) International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
D) Local United States Coast Guard (USCG) district
D) Local United States Coast Guard (USCG) district
Who prepares Notices to Mariners in collaboration with the USCG and NOS and publishes them?
A) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
B) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
C) United States Coast Guard (USCG)
D) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
B) National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
What is a common practice in marking lateral buoys to maintain approximate sequence?
A) Omitting numbers
B) Adding numbers
C) Repeating numbers
D) Changing colors
A) Omitting numbers
In maritime navigation aids, what do letters signify when used alongside numbers?
A) A change in the navigational channel
B) An increase in the navigational hazard
C) The addition of lateral aids after a numerical sequence
D) A decrease in the water depth
Letters may be used to augment numbers where lateral aids are added after a previously
completed numerical sequence.
C) The addition of lateral aids after a numerical sequence
How are letters typically used in marking lateral buoys when aids are added after a numerical sequence?
A) Letters replace numbers
B) Letters are used to augment numbers
C) Letters are used instead of numbers
D) Letters are used to indicate priority
B) Letters are used to augment numbers
Which types of marks are always designated using letters rather than numbers?
A) Preferred channel, isolated danger, and special marks
B) Safe water, isolated danger, and special marks
C) Preferred channel, safe water, and information and regulatory aids
D) Preferred channel, safe water, isolated danger, and information and regulatory aids
D) Preferred channel, safe water, isolated danger, and information and regulatory aids
What does “discontinue” typically mean in the context of aids to navigation?
A) To relocate the aid
B) To repair the aid
C) To permanently or temporarily remove the aid from operation
D) To upgrade the aid
C) To permanently or temporarily remove the aid from operation
What does “withdraw” typically mean in the context of aids to navigation?
A) To relocate the aid
B) To repair the aid
C) To discontinue the aid during severe ice conditions or for the winter season
D) To upgrade the aid
C) To discontinue the aid during severe ice conditions or for the winter season
What does the term “Physical: fitted to an aid to navigation” imply?
A) The physical attributes of an aid to navigation
B) Equipment or components physically installed on an aid to navigation
C) The material composition of an aid to navigation
D) The geographical location of an aid to navigation
B) Equipment or components physically installed on an aid to navigation