PBI: Microwave ovens and radar

[swaghauler]

Originally Posted by Silent Hunter UK

Could you use a satellite dish for that?

No. for the older (not digital/solid state) radars, you need a rotary emitter in a particular range band. ironically, the "armature" that emits the radiation inside a microwave (the little "T" shaped spindle located on top of or underneath the cooking surface) is designed exactly like a pulse radar's emitter. It's just a bit too small for that application.

For determining the detection range of a radar target you can use the following equation:

(1.22 Nautical Miles X the square root of the radar emitter's height off the water) + (1.22 Nautical Miles X the square root of the radar target's height off of the water) = Detection Range in Nautical Miles

If you want more information on radar (especially small Marine Radars), check out West Marine's Q&A on marine radars for more information on old school "pulse radars," "digital solid state," and "new wave" hybrid radars.

[CDAT]

Just out of curiosity what does the PBI in the title stand for? I have only ever seen it stand for Poor Bloody Infantry.