6.4    FALSE ECHOES 
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6.4  FALSE ECHOES 
 
The  radar  observer  may  be  embarrassed  with  some  echoes  that  do  not  exist  actually.    These  false  echoes 
appear by the following causes that are well known: 
 
 
[I]  Shadow 
When the radar scanner is installed near a funnel or mast, the echo of a target that exists in the direction of 
the funnel or mast cannot appear on the radar display because the radar beam is reflected on the funnel or 
mast.    Whether  there  are  some  false  echoes  due  to  shadows  can  be  checked  monitoring the  sea clutter 
returns, in which there may be a part of weak or no returns. 
Such  shadows  appear  always  in  the  same  directions,  which  the  operator  should  have  in  mind  in  radar 
operation. 
 
 
[II]  Side Lobe Effect 
A broken-line circular arc may appear at the same range as the main lobe of the radar beam on the radar 
display.    This type of false echo can easily be discriminated when a target echo appears isolated.    (See 
Figure 6.5.) 
HL
 
Figure 6.5 
 
 
[III]  False Echo by Secondary Reflection 
When a target exists near own ship, two echoes from the single target may appear on the radar display. 
One of those echoes is the direct echo return from the target and the other is the secondary reflection return 
from a mast or funnel that stands in the same direction as shown in Figure 6.6. 
 
Radar 
scanner
Funnel
HL
Direct microwave
Secondary reflection
of microwave
Actual target
False echo from funnel
 
Figure 6.6 
False echo from funnel