Radar radiation hazard?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 310
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From: United states of Europe
Radar radiation hazard?
Gents,
I have recently accepted a bit of freelance work on a piston twin equipped with a side-looking-airborne-radar (SLAR). This is mounted inside and underneath the aircraft. My limited knowledge of technical installations and radars in particular drives me to ask a few questions.
The radar appears to be of a "mature" age. From the setup in the aircraft I would guess early 80's (or from an episode of Startrek). I would not be surprised if this thing has a very high output.
Should I rule out any radiation danger as pilot on this aircraft? Is this type of radiation dangerous and should I assume that the radar head is shielded in a sufficient manner?
I would appreciate some insight on the subject before I possibly nominate myself for the Darwin Award.
Regards
MAS
I have recently accepted a bit of freelance work on a piston twin equipped with a side-looking-airborne-radar (SLAR). This is mounted inside and underneath the aircraft. My limited knowledge of technical installations and radars in particular drives me to ask a few questions.
The radar appears to be of a "mature" age. From the setup in the aircraft I would guess early 80's (or from an episode of Startrek). I would not be surprised if this thing has a very high output.
Should I rule out any radiation danger as pilot on this aircraft? Is this type of radiation dangerous and should I assume that the radar head is shielded in a sufficient manner?
I would appreciate some insight on the subject before I possibly nominate myself for the Darwin Award.
Regards
MAS
Cunning Artificer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,125
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From: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
As it says on the box - "Side Looking Radar" It radiates to the side, not up into the aircraft.
There used to be weather radars that used an antenna that rotated through 360-degrees but in these cases the crew compartment (and more to the point, the receiver!) was protected by radar absorbent material. I haven't seen one in operational use since 1985 though. I hardly think the Darwin awards come into it...
There used to be weather radars that used an antenna that rotated through 360-degrees but in these cases the crew compartment (and more to the point, the receiver!) was protected by radar absorbent material. I haven't seen one in operational use since 1985 though. I hardly think the Darwin awards come into it...
That reminds me of a joke about what 9v batteries and a certain part of a ladies body have in common!Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Scotland
All antennas have side lobes. It's unavoidable so not all the radiation will be directed in the desired direction. Some will no doubt be directed towards the aircraft. A metal aircraft skin should provide some sort of sheilding though.
