Furuno Radar Compatibility
TZ Coastal Monitoring is compatible with the 2 main Furuno Radar ranges:
NavNet DRS Series
Note This range can be directly connected to a PC running TZ Coastal Monitoring. This direct capability significantly reduces the hardware cost as no dedicated radar screen and/or processor is required (this will only require a specific « PSU » power supply).
FAR2xx8, FAR 2xx7, FAR15x3/x8 and FAR3000 Series
X-Band Radar / Up to 8ft Antenna / Up to 25kW
S-Band Radar / Up to 12ft Antenna / Up to 60kW
Solid State S-Band available (FAR3000)
Note In order to be interfaced to TZ Coastal Monitoring, this range requires a complete radar set including dedicated processor, screen and keyboard.
Radar Specifications
Radar resolution mainly comes from the antenna size. The bigger the antenna is, the higher the radar resolution will be and consequently the ARPA targets acquisition will be more accurate.
Example of difference between a 6ft antenna (at the top) and a 24 inch Dome (at the bottom)
The two others factors which strongly affect the radar coverage are:
its power: the higher the power is, the farther the microwaves will reach
the height of the antenna location: the higher the antenna is located the farther the microwaves will reach
Example: Whatever its power and height are, a radar will be able to detect a 10m height target at maximum of 15NM.
The curvature of the Earth prevents the radar to "see" farther.
Radar : Power Vs Ranges
| FURUNO DRS4D (Dome) |
Detection Distance in NM |
| Detection of a small target (1 m ²) |
1 NM |
| Detection of a medium size target (10m²) |
2 NM |
| FURUNO DRS12A (6ft Antenna) |
Detection Distance in NM |
| Detection of a small target (1 m ²) |
3 NM |
| Detection of a medium size target (10m²) |
5 NM |
| FURUNO DRS25A (6ft antenna) |
Detection Distance in NM |
| Detection of a small target (1 m ²) |
4 NM |
| Detection of a medium size target (10m²) |
6 NM |
| FURUNO FAR2127 (8ft Antenna) |
Detection Distance in NM |
| Detection of a small target (1 m ²) |
6 NM |
| Detection of a medium size target (10m²) |
10 NM |
| FURUNO FAR2137 (12ft Antenna) S Band |
Detection Distance in NM |
| Detection of a small target (1 m ²) |
7 NM |
| Detection of a medium size target (10m²) |
12 NM |
Note: The next « solid state » Furuno Radar range will certainly offer bigger coverage.
Target Types in m²:
Aids to Navigation without radar reflector < 1m²
Small Open Boat (Fiber Glass, Wood) with 2 persons and outboard: 1m² to 5m²
Small Sailing Boat and fishing vessels: 3m² to 10m²
Aids to Navigation with radar reflector > 10m²
Fishing Vessels, Patrol Vessels: 10m² to 100m²
Flock of Birds: up to 3m²
DRS DUAL RANGE feature
DRS range offers a very powerful (and patented) DUAL RANGE feature. This very advanced feature enables the radar to scan and display two different real time ranges at each antenna rotation. This allows keeping high short range resolution and long range detection with one single radar antenna.
DRS or FAR
| FURUNO DRS RANGE |
| PROS |
CONS |
| Best value for money |
Limited to 6tf Antennas |
| Ease of installation |
X Band only |
| Dual Range Feature |
| Low maintenance cost |
| Low power consumption |
| FURUNO FAR2XX7 |
| PROS |
CONS |
| World class Commercial Radar |
Higher Cost |
| Up to 12ft Antennas |
Requires dedicated display, processor and keyboard |
| X Band and/or S Band |
| Bigger Coverage |
| Available with High Speed Rotation Antennas |
