7-7  Section 7 True and False Echoes on Display 
 
 
 
 
 
7.4  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: 
 
7.4.1  Shadow 
When the radar antenna  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, 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. 
 
7.4.2  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. 
 
 
  False Echoes 
When a radar antenna for the solid-state radar is connected, a false echo may occur in the range 
direction of the target image. This false echo normally means a range side lobe, which is generated as 
a result of pulse compression processing when a large target such as a vessel is at a short distance. 
 
 
 
False 
echo