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Anybody thought of trying something similar to the fractal antennas to reduce the size, match frequencies, or increase the apparent size of the reflector?
I know this is an old thread, but it is also the latest one I can find on the radar detectable SMB called the Seeker. The last post says its a DEMA and that's it, but they are selling them on their website. Has anyone tried one? I realize you probably can't test the radar reflectiveness, but how about as an SMB?
Considering, as others have said, even making a small boat show up as a blip in the open ocean can be hard, is this really a feasible idea? Won't even a sausage be too close to the surface of the water, especially in rough conditions, to show up on radar?
Maybe a better option, would be a small AIS transmitter for divers? Of course you'd have to get over the current hurdle that you can only register a vessel, not a person.
As a side note I have seen some things advertising radar reflectors. Several of the Navy and Coast Guard Helicopter have radars (specifically the SH-60 B and R SeaHawks and the Coast Guard Jayhawk) All of which are very sensitive. I have picked up Dolphins at 15 miles, 3/4 submerged 55gal drums from 40miles and other small objects from over 60miles. The actual reflectivity of these items is not known but I would be checking out any returns I got if I knew you had something radar reflective. I was actually thinking about carrying a small (or piece of a)space blanket which would not take up much room but could (probably) give off large returns. But the searchers MUST know you have it or they might think you are a boat if the return is large enough.
Custom Divers, the maker of the Seeker SMB claims 1.5 miles for surface craft and 2 miles for air craft. I don't know how they came up with that data, but I will take radar detectable over not just in case. Particularly because of Navy OnStar's comments in the quote above.
What is an AIS? I have a PLB (personal locator beacon) in a water proof canister. It is registrable to people or ships.
I'll take diving from my own boat, and knowing I set the hook, and won't leave without me.
Here you go. Way better than I could explain it. Currently only registrable to boats and required on large ships. But it's a type of technology I could easily see adapted for this purpose.
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Originally Posted by Navy OnStar
