| Feature | Bridgemaster 180/250 (1990s) | Modern Radar (e.g., Furuno, Garmin) | |---------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Tracking | Analog Autotrack (20 targets) | Digital ARPA (100+ targets) | | Display | CRT or early LCD | High-res color LCD | | Clutter suppression | Manual STC/FTC | Automatic, Doppler, dual-range | | Integration | None | AIS, chart overlay, network | | Target storage | Volatile | Solid-state with replay |
Before the advent of modern ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) integration, "Autotrack" was a revolutionary feature. It allowed the radar to lock onto a specific target and automatically track its course and speed, calculating the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) and Time to CPA (TCPA). racal decca bridgemaster 180 250 series x band autotrack pdf
In the pantheon of marine electronics, few names command as much respect as Racal Decca. For decades, the company was synonymous with reliable navigation aids, guiding vessels through the world’s oceans with robust, state-of-the-art technology. Among their most celebrated contributions to maritime safety are the radar systems. | Feature | Bridgemaster 180/250 (1990s) | Modern Radar (e
Racal Decca was later absorbed into Kelvin Hughes and Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine . For original PDF manuals, search for: For decades, the company was synonymous with reliable
| Parameter | Value | |-----------|-------| | Frequency | 9410 ± 30 MHz (X-band) | | Pulse Lengths | 0.05 µs (short), 0.2 µs (medium), 0.8 µs (long) | | PRF | 1500–3000 Hz (pulse-dependent) | | Horizontal Beamwidth | 1.8° (4ft antenna), 1.2° (6ft antenna) | | Vertical Beamwidth | 22° | | Range Scales | 0.125 to 96 NM (standard) | | Minimum Range | 25 m | | Range Resolution | 35 m on short pulse |