Array Size/Power/Birds

[Anonymous]

I did a search and read all the various prior posts about using the radar to find flocks of birds offshore. I am in the process of outfitting a new boat and am trying to decide whether to go to a 12kW or 25kW unit and whether to fit a 4' or 6' array.

My prior experience is with a 6kW 4 foot array and it did pretty well locating birds up to 4-6 miles. Perhaps there is no answer to this question, but realistically just how much better performance could I expect if I went to a 25kW over a 12kW (I am already leaning to at least 12kW)? And which is more important for this function, array size or power? I know that for collision avoidance and navigation, the 6' array will provide better target separation and that higher power should penetrate precipitation better and show weaker targets better but not sure how that relates to birds.

Is it just a pure "more is better" thing where 25kW and 6 foot array is going to be significantly better and show smaller groups of birds at greater distances and just a question of how much of a dent to put in my wallet for a little extra capability?

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Melville]

CC32-
If your moniker is an indication of your boat, (32' center console) I'd definitely stick to the 12kW. Based on antenna height the extra distance will be of little value unless you are tracking migratory species.

If you can swing a 6' antenna it might help picking out the individual Frigate birds when looking for the Yellowfin, but you'd be sacrificing a great deal of space on the top for what might be little advantage.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, the CC is for "Carolina Classic" so it is an express sportfishing boat with a tower, not a center console. A 6 foot array will be tight due to the tower pipework. Your point may still apply because the radar mounting height is probably only a couple of feet higher than a typical center console. I have a feeling that the best compromise is probably a 12kW 4 foot array.

In New England, the birds we see are flocks of shearwaters and storm petrels -- very small next to a frigate bird, especially the little petrels!

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a NNvx1 with 4ft array, 6kw and can pick up single terns (pretty small water birds). I usually cruise at a 6nm distance and adjust the contrast, return color and trail color to help pick up birds. With your new equipment, I would expect you to outperform my setup using a 4ft with 12kw. I hope this helps.