1. What is Radar Line of Sight?

The radar line of sight is the maximum distance at which a radar can detect objects based on the height of the radar antenna and the Earth's curvature. It determines how far a radar can "see" over the horizon.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the radar line of sight formula:

Where:

• \( d \) — Distance in meters
• \( h \) — Height of radar antenna in meters
• \( r \) — Earth's radius (6.371 × 10⁶ m)

Explanation: The equation accounts for the curvature of the Earth, calculating how far the radar signal can travel before being blocked by the horizon.

3. Importance of Radar Line of Sight Calculation

Details: Accurate line of sight calculation is crucial for radar system placement, air traffic control, maritime navigation, and military applications to ensure proper coverage and detection range.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the height of your radar antenna in meters. The Earth radius defaults to 6,371,000 meters but can be adjusted if needed for specific applications.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does Earth's curvature affect radar range?
A: Radar signals travel in straight lines, so the Earth's curvature creates a horizon beyond which objects cannot be detected.

Q2: How does antenna height affect detection range?
A: Higher antenna placement increases detection range because it "sees" over more of the Earth's curvature.

Q3: What's the practical range for typical radar installations?
A: For a radar at 10m height, range is about 11.3 km; at 100m, about 35.7 km (assuming standard Earth radius).

Q4: Does atmospheric refraction affect this calculation?
A: Yes, in practice atmospheric conditions can extend radar range by about 15% due to refraction.

Q5: Can this be used for other line-of-sight calculations?
A: Yes, the same principle applies to radio communications, visual observations, and other electromagnetic transmissions.