Radar

[Macgregor the Hammer]

Originally Posted by KaleunMarco

while we are on the subject of Radar, why is it that in non-clear weather that Radar performs no better than Visual detection?
i have encountered numerous times, when the weather is between clear and rainy (light fog?), where a first contact with the enemy is well within the detection range of Radar...like range of 4000 yds. Much too close for an initial contact.

Radar should have picked up that contact much further out than 4000 yds.

is this lack of detection by Radar a game option or another example of Ubi design ineptitude?

Water (rain) & fog are excellent radar energy attenuators! A basic radar set doesn't have the power or the means to adjust for weather. Modern radars adjust frequency, change pulse repetition frequency and power when certain conditions appear in the returning signal. Newer radars can 'burn through atmospheric interference. Without computer controls, it's kind of crap shoot on what you're going get with the return signal.

The SJ radar used a very rudimentary magnatron for the output. The Brits invented the magnatron in the mid-thirties. The SJ set operated in the 2cm (4 Ghz) which is much better than the German sets which operated from 200-600 Mhz. Microwave is highly focused with very low dispersion. It was very high tech for it's day.
I think the radar model, which was tweeked by CapnScurvy is pretty close to real life.

I worked on fire control and navigation radar for the A-6 and F-4 in the Marines.