We went out yesterday for the first trip with a ch-600. Was trying to use it to locate tuna. I was having a difficult time getting rid of the clutter. I know there isn't an exact setting that works in every condition but I'm looking for a starting point that is good for tuna in the top 200' of the water column.
Ch-600 initial settings for tuna
- Thread starter cshank23
- Start date
The clutter settings based on the mode you are in are set to a Factory Default of 0, which is no clutter reduction whatsoever. Put the SONAR in the mode you want, set the train and tilt, and adjust the Gain up to get low-level noise on the screen. Then back the gain down a bit until there are just a few speckles on the screen. If after doing this, you still see too much clutter, then and only then increase the clutter setting one notch at a time to clear it up some.
cshank23,
I always tell new sonar operators to keep a brief sonar log on what are the current settings that you are using, including what sea conditions that you are operating the sonar in. Over time, you’ll learn to really get dialed in on what settings work for your specific fishery.
Here are a few basic settings that may help you get started:
COM 1
TX Power: MAX.
Pulse length: LONG.
TX Rate: 10
INT Rejection: ON (only if there are other vessels that are operating sonars within your fishery…)
AGC: OFF
Audio Level: Set for Operator’s preference if there is an optional remote speaker installed.
COM2
Deleting Track: NO
White Marker: OFF
Signal Level: OFF
Colors: 16
Background Color: 1, 2, or 3 (Usually this setting is for Operators Preference)
HORZIZONTAL
TVG Level: 2 - 5 But keep in mind that using too much TVG will eliminate those short-range echoes. So, using less TVG will show you more short range targets.
TVG Distance: 1.5 - 3.5
Gain Adjust: -1
RES. Color: Linear
Clutter: 2-3 (This can be adjusted later…)
Track Key: Echo.
Track Mode: AUTO
Auto Tilt: OFF
A-Scope: OFF
GAIN: Start with between 4 - 6, then fine tune once you are in the fishing grounds. If you are fishing for tuna/albacore in deep water, then the sonar range should be set no more than 500 feet, with a tilt angle of 26° degrees. If you are fishing tuna/albacore in shallow water, then sonar range should be set at no more than 300 feet, with a tilt angle set at 12° degrees.
Sector Size: 144° or 120° degrees. Always adjust this once you are on the fishing grounds.
Scan Speed: Normal
For FISHING: Steer toward the targets
For NAVIGATION: Steer away from the targets
- Deep Blue
I always tell new sonar operators to keep a brief sonar log on what are the current settings that you are using, including what sea conditions that you are operating the sonar in. Over time, you’ll learn to really get dialed in on what settings work for your specific fishery.
Here are a few basic settings that may help you get started:
COM 1
TX Power: MAX.
Pulse length: LONG.
TX Rate: 10
INT Rejection: ON (only if there are other vessels that are operating sonars within your fishery…)
AGC: OFF
Audio Level: Set for Operator’s preference if there is an optional remote speaker installed.
COM2
Deleting Track: NO
White Marker: OFF
Signal Level: OFF
Colors: 16
Background Color: 1, 2, or 3 (Usually this setting is for Operators Preference)
HORZIZONTAL
TVG Level: 2 - 5 But keep in mind that using too much TVG will eliminate those short-range echoes. So, using less TVG will show you more short range targets.
TVG Distance: 1.5 - 3.5
Gain Adjust: -1
RES. Color: Linear
Clutter: 2-3 (This can be adjusted later…)
Track Key: Echo.
Track Mode: AUTO
Auto Tilt: OFF
A-Scope: OFF
GAIN: Start with between 4 - 6, then fine tune once you are in the fishing grounds. If you are fishing for tuna/albacore in deep water, then the sonar range should be set no more than 500 feet, with a tilt angle of 26° degrees. If you are fishing tuna/albacore in shallow water, then sonar range should be set at no more than 300 feet, with a tilt angle set at 12° degrees.
Sector Size: 144° or 120° degrees. Always adjust this once you are on the fishing grounds.
Scan Speed: Normal
For FISHING: Steer toward the targets
For NAVIGATION: Steer away from the targets
- Deep Blue
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