From a maintenance point of view, modern WXR has a pencil beam radiation produced by the slotted design of the antenna plate.
It only radiates away from the A/C in a 180 deg arc. The power levels today are in the order of 75 watts compared with the
hundreds / thousands of watts of the older units with many side lobe beams.
Predictive Windshear Operation included in new units operates below about FL200 and would be desirable
to have this function working at altitudes below this.
I have not seen proof of antenna icing up and not scanning, but if it did it would be due to low motor torque due to wear & tear
not to mention very poor seals in the radome.
If your SOP’s allow for turning off (stby) it will extend the life of the servomotors particularly during Your current flight.
P.S. Most A/C the OFF or STBY the T/R's are powered up but transmit is inhibited & antenna stationary
Last edited by Short_Circuit; 17th Nov 2007 at 23:56.
Reason: PS