Too many target returns...

[Max]

I have a 1944C which I recently had serviced. I believe a board was replaced in the display unit. When I received the unit back from the authorized Furuno repair center, the unit had been factory reset and all previous setting had been reset.

I've gone through the installation wizard process per posts on this site, but I must be missing something. I set the radar antennae to D (1944C). Heading to "True." Did the heading adjustment. Did the radar optimization away from land. But now, even with gain at 0, I get way too many target returns. It looks like I'm surrounded by a hundred hard target returns. It's impossible to discern between actual return and fake return. It was somewhat rough seas when I did the optimization and the boat was pitching and rolling quite a bit. Perhaps that messed up the optimization process.

I uploaded a pic. Hopefully it shows.

 

[Johnny Electron]

It looks like you don't have your sea clutter (A/C Sea) turned on.
You might give our tech support a call while you are on the boat to talk you thru some settings.

 

[Max]

Oddly enough, when I turned up AC Sea setting, the clutter on the screen actually increased. Same for AC Rain. The only setting which reduced clutter was AC AT.

 

[Max]

Would the pitching and rolling of the boat impact the radar's ability to properly optimize itself?

 

[Johnny Electron]

When adjusting your A/C Sea and RAIN manually, the AC AT should be off.

I would recommend you backup your waypoints/routes and then factory clear the radar settings. To do this you need to hold MENU on power up and select INST MODE, to get into the installation setup mode. Once the unit is up; hit MENU - SYSTEM CONFIG - INSTALLATION SETUP - RADAR SETUP - NEXT PG softkey - then hold the forth softkey down (with dots on them) and no there wont be anything written next to it; while pressing CLEAR 5 times. This will cause a pop-up to appear. "FACTORY DEFAULT - Yes/No". Select YES and clear the radar info from memory.

Check that your radar antenna type is still setup for the 1944 (D) and then take the unit out to run the optimization again. It should be a fairly nice day without rain or lots of white caps. It doesn't have to be a long way from shore, I would suggest .25 nm or better. When you setup to run the optimization setup the radar in the following manor first. Gain = Manual 10 ; AC Seaclutter = Manual 10; Rain = Manual zero; AC AT = OFF; Range to 1.5 NM. Ensure the radar is setup for auto tuning. (MENU - RADAR DISPLAY SETUP - TUNING = AUTO) Now run the radar optimization twice. After complete, take the Gain and AC Seaclutter to AUTO MODERATE and change your radar range to something closer in like .25 NM. It should look good. You can also turn on the AC AT to see how it changes it.

Based on your description, I think you got your radar optimization all out of whack and you need to just bring everything back into line.

 

[Max]

Ok, I followed your instructions for factory reset and optimization and it made a dramatic difference. Much better. However, I still have the big orange center blob which, even through main bang suppression adjustment, I have been unable to suppress. On close range, it takes up nearly the first two range rings (clicks). After the factory reset and optimization, I noticed that when I went to the MB Suppression screen, it was already set at 21. I would think the reset would have zeroed it out, but maybe the optimization reset MB back to 21. Any suggestions on how to reduce this center MB clutter?

 

[Johnny Electron]

With a Mainbang that large it sounds like something is wrong. What is the length of your scanner cable? Has anyone checked the array for water?

 

[Max]

Cable length shouldn't be the issue since the radar was working well for many years prior to the board in the display unit being replaced last year.

Is checking the array for water something that could reasonably be accomplished by an owner? Or should a Furuno authorized tech handle inspecting the array for water?

 

[Johnny Electron]

Maybe you can post a new photo with the MB suppression at zero?

A user can check for water normally. With the system off, open the gear box and look at the waveguide in both the lid and where it meets the RTR with a flashlight. Ensure you see no water drops in either. With the lid open take the array in your hands and gently rock it back and forth to see if you hear water.

Since the scanner cable hasn't changed, it sounds like water or maybe the timing adjustment being way off. A new photo could help use see what it looks like now.