Tuning Radar

flatbottom · 11-23-2007, 02:40 AM

How do you tune your radar to pick up birds? I have heard of this but how is it done. Do all radars have this capacity or are some better than other ?. Generic tuning instruction or machine specific is appreciated. What radar units are better than others at this and why ?

Jagsare1 · 11-23-2007, 03:24 PM

High power, open array. In my opinion, 6KW is absolutely the bare minimum and if you are serious, it needs to be 10KW or above. Others may argue that they use a 4KW dome and see birds and they might but my personal experience is that any birds I can see with a lower power dome...I can also see with the naked eye.

Tuning is a whole other issue.

Wasabi · 11-23-2007, 07:01 PM

Brands may be a factor. With that said, the minimum I know of is an open array 4kw Raymarine. Domes will definitely not do it.

LuckyLady · 11-23-2007, 08:26 PM

Furuno is the # 1 radar open array is better than the 4kw dome
We have Simrad on the boat and I like it a lot. Very clear but Simrad is the hardest to use

Both Furuno and Simrad open array a fully capiable of fine tuning birds. I just do not do it that much to explain in detail.

We using it for running in the dark, fog etc and I use it to watch boats where they are going and where people the overall group is at.

Can't really comment on the Raymarine or Northstar to much, never tinkered with it enough

Garmin sucked in my opinion was not clear at all. Not sure what dome/array they are showing when its in demo. When I asked if it was any better out of demo mode, they got a little pissed with me. I do understand that thier array is much better

Banshee · 11-25-2007, 09:50 PM

If you want to see birds, dial the range in tight, twek the gain till you see the snow then back it off a a touch. Also depds on the sea conditions and ther size of the bird. I have to agree that an open array works the best.
JW

TunaTeaser1 · 09-17-2008, 07:08 PM

Did a search on how to tune in on birds and this popped up. Can anyone else comment on how to dial in the birds? I use a Furuno 48mi open array, not sure the kw...Bottom line is I don't trust it for birds because I'm not experienced in dialing them in consistently.

Questsportfishing · 09-17-2008, 07:18 PM

sit down one night and figure you will be there for 1 hour at least! turn on the radar. start with basic settings. Go through aall the ranges from 3 miles up and I want you to turn the gain up a small amount each time. then it on at sea . at sea you will see a sea shore and the bouys. go up and down on the gain here also! birds can be seen up to about 12 miles just due to the radar used you also have to use your head on where they are supposed to be!!! bank or very deep hole! next turn up the gain till you see green specs some in the background and start watching for more dence patches . feed the hell out of the birds down the beach and turn the radar on ... play with it thats what all of us did! you at least get tips! learn something every day!

TunaTeaser1 · 09-18-2008, 11:54 AM

Quest,
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Questsportfishing · 09-18-2008, 12:30 PM

but if your tuna fishing you'd better have chunks and extra bait for them! we have carried 6 dozen hoos and 10 dozen pilchards once to west end ..the live hoos were the best!

Questsportfishing · 10-07-2008, 02:13 PM

.....................???............

11-23-2007, 02:40 AM	#1
flatbottom Fish the Edge Team Sportfishermen.com Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bear, DE Posts: 8,096 Credits: 18,167.8 Boat: 232 center console Home Port: Indian River, De Best Catch: off the shot gun Occupation: jackleg	Tuning Radar How do you tune your radar to pick up birds? I have heard of this but how is it done. Do all radars have this capacity or are some better than other ?. Generic tuning instruction or machine specific is appreciated. What radar units are better than others at this and why ? __________________ New Rules To Live By Don’t invade Russia in the winter, and don’t conduct a short raid on Goldman Sachs when the former CEO is the Treasury Secretary.

11-23-2007, 03:24 PM	#2
Jagsare1 Salon puppy Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 116 Credits: 4,026.1	High power, open array. In my opinion, 6KW is absolutely the bare minimum and if you are serious, it needs to be 10KW or above. Others may argue that they use a 4KW dome and see birds and they might but my personal experience is that any birds I can see with a lower power dome...I can also see with the naked eye. Tuning is a whole other issue. __________________ We're baaack.....

11-23-2007, 07:01 PM	#3
Wasabi Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Puerto Aventuras, MX Posts: 410 Credits: 1,319.3 Boat: 32' Blackfin Flybridge Occupation: Fishing, Diving, Fishing, Diving	Brands may be a factor. With that said, the minimum I know of is an open array 4kw Raymarine. Domes will definitely not do it. __________________ Rico tailwalker@wasabiloco.com http://www.wasabiloco.com Fishing the Riviera Maya !

09-17-2008, 07:08 PM	#6
TunaTeaser1 Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Raleigh/Manteo/Richmond Posts: 309 Credits: 1,529.0	Back to the top... Did a search on how to tune in on birds and this popped up. Can anyone else comment on how to dial in the birds? I use a Furuno 48mi open array, not sure the kw...Bottom line is I don't trust it for birds because I'm not experienced in dialing them in consistently.

09-17-2008, 07:18 PM	#7
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 628 Credits: 2,196.7 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	radar 101 for birds.. sit down one night and figure you will be there for 1 hour at least! turn on the radar. start with basic settings. Go through aall the ranges from 3 miles up and I want you to turn the gain up a small amount each time. then it on at sea . at sea you will see a sea shore and the bouys. go up and down on the gain here also! birds can be seen up to about 12 miles just due to the radar used you also have to use your head on where they are supposed to be!!! bank or very deep hole! next turn up the gain till you see green specs some in the background and start watching for more dence patches . feed the hell out of the birds down the beach and turn the radar on ... play with it thats what all of us did! you at least get tips! learn something every day!

11-23-2007, 08:26 PM	#4
LuckyLady "Life is what you make it!" Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Manahawkin, NJ Posts: 3,678 Credits: 13,077.1 Boat: CONTENDER 36 CUDDY 23 OPEN 36 FISHAROUND Home Port: EAST COAST Best Catch: There is always something better!	Furuno is the # 1 radar open array is better than the 4kw dome We have Simrad on the boat and I like it a lot. Very clear but Simrad is the hardest to use Both Furuno and Simrad open array a fully capiable of fine tuning birds. I just do not do it that much to explain in detail. We using it for running in the dark, fog etc and I use it to watch boats where they are going and where people the overall group is at. Can't really comment on the Raymarine or Northstar to much, never tinkered with it enough Garmin sucked in my opinion was not clear at all. Not sure what dome/array they are showing when its in demo. When I asked if it was any better out of demo mode, they got a little pissed with me. I do understand that thier array is much better

11-25-2007, 09:50 PM	#5
Banshee Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 439 Credits: 1,452.3	If you want to see birds, dial the range in tight, twek the gain till you see the snow then back it off a a touch. Also depds on the sea conditions and ther size of the bird. I have to agree that an open array works the best. JW

09-18-2008, 11:54 AM	#8
TunaTeaser1 Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Raleigh/Manteo/Richmond Posts: 309 Credits: 1,529.0	Quest, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

09-18-2008, 12:30 PM	#9
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 628 Credits: 2,196.7 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	I was of course messing with ya about feeding the birds.. but if your tuna fishing you'd better have chunks and extra bait for them! we have carried 6 dozen hoos and 10 dozen pilchards once to west end ..the live hoos were the best!

10-07-2008, 02:13 PM	#10
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 628 Credits: 2,196.7 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	Tuna ...whats the deal? any birds yet? .....................???............

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