1. What is Radar Horizon?

The radar horizon is the maximum distance at which a radar can detect objects at low altitudes due to the curvature of the Earth. It's determined by the height of the radar antenna and the Earth's geometry.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the radar horizon equation:

Where:

• \( d \) — Radar horizon distance in nautical miles
• \( h \) — Antenna height in feet

Explanation: The equation accounts for standard atmospheric refraction and the Earth's curvature to estimate how far radar can "see" based on antenna height.

3. Importance of Radar Horizon Calculation

Details: Knowing the radar horizon is crucial for maritime navigation, air traffic control, and military applications to understand detection limits of radar systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the antenna height in feet above sea level. The height must be a positive number.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the radar horizon important?
A: It determines the maximum detection range for surface targets and low-flying objects, critical for navigation and collision avoidance.

Q2: Does weather affect the radar horizon?
A: Yes, atmospheric conditions can extend or reduce the actual radar horizon through phenomena like ducting or sub-refraction.

Q3: What's the difference between radar and optical horizon?
A: The radar horizon is typically about 15% greater than the optical horizon due to atmospheric refraction of radio waves.

Q4: How does target height affect detection?
A: The total detection range is the sum of the radar horizon from both the antenna height and the target height.

Q5: Can radar detect objects beyond the horizon?
A: Normally no, but certain atmospheric conditions and over-the-horizon radar systems can sometimes detect beyond the standard horizon.