Echomax EM230 stainless steel Mast Bracket holder sold in pairs.
Echomax
Echomax Radar Reflectors are based on an invention by John Firth.
Concerned about the performance of radar reflectors, in the seventies John Firth patented a design which, as licensees, Firdell was jointly established to market. Firdell stopped selling Pentland Firth reflectors and continued to market another design which they sold as the Blipper. Connections with that company severed and John then patented an improved design which was sold as the Gillie-Firth for 25 years. The Echomax was a revolutionary design of the stacked array principle and was his third patent.
As a member of ISO committee in Paris in 1980, considering amendments to Marine Radar Reflectors Regulations, John drafted performance paragraphs subsequently incorporated into ISO 8729.
For many years the Octahedral reflector has been accepted as the basis for the ISO 8729, RORC and ORC specification. However, at a 15° tilt its serious failings are a lack of response over 140° azimuth.
The Echomax EM 230 Radar Reflector
Echomax EM 230 weighs approximately four pounds, and comprises six identical sectors each responding with peaks to 24M2, 10M2 - 70% az., 5M2 - 100% az. When the reflector is tilted, with yaw pitch and roll, 'glint' also ensures an all round performance is maintained.
Comprised of a three stack array of laser cut aluminum or stainless steel enclosed in a glass fibre or polyethylene case. At each end 8/10mm diameter fixings enable a halyard hoist or mast mounting. Echomax inflatable reflectors fold down into a neat pocket size, an ideal addition to the emergency grab bag.
Increased Radar Cross Section
Tests carried out in the QinetiQ (DERA) anechoic chamber at Funtington confirm that the designs reflective area is nearly four times greater than similar size products using orthogonal corners. The only symmetrical reflector with modified corners the Echomax directs optimum power perpendicular to its major axis. With minimum movement of that axis mutual interference (glint) occurs between incorporated lobes of response.
Increased Heel Response
This vertical response is most important where the grazing angle of a searching airborne radar beam may be large.
High S Band Response
MCA/QinetiQ sea trials at 5 miles plus the EM 230 gave 100% paints at X Band and 80% paints at S Band. Two EM230's were sent to QinetiQ at their request for echoic tests which confirmed the sea trial results.
Increased 360° Response Cycle
The Echomax gives a significant centreband response over 360° azimuth and does not have the characteristic peaks and nulls of other corner reflectors since the stacked array ensures that there is always a fully opened corner facing the horizon.
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