On a jet there are other factors to consider, as well. At speeds of
several hundred knots, the impact of rain on the radome can tear up the
paint and possibly the fiberglass, as well. Radome manufacturers
specify the proper coatings for these applications. Even the thickness
of the coating is critical at radar frequencies.
Remember K7LXC's prime directive!
73,
Bob N7XY
Radome designer (retired)
On Sun, Apr 13, 2003 at 05:25:13PM -0500, Dick wrote:
> Quite a few years ago we decided to dress up our jets with new paint
> jobs and the radome was included. Nice, black, and glossy, the radome
> looked real nice against the new paint job. Then we started getting
> complaints from the aircrews that the radar wasn't getting distant
> contacts like it used to. We checked the receivers of the jets that
> were being written up but found they were were seeing as well as they
> ever did. For the nuts of it we did a radome off /on test and found the
> source of the problem.... it was the paint that was attenuating the
> signal and by several db. We had the paint stripped and confirmed that
> was the source of the problem. The paint was a good quality paint, it
> had to be to stay on the nose as well as it did. As I recall, the paint
> shop contacted the depot and found out what was recommended and obtained
> the correct stuff. Now I know paint has come a long way since those
> days and the frequency was considerably higher but it makes me still
> question if painting the fiberglass is a good idea unless you know for
> sure the paint won't cause some attenuation.
>
> Open for comments... 73
> Dick, N0IM
>
> --
> Dick Bodine
> mailto:rbodine@cpinternet.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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--
Bob Nielsen, N7XY n7xy@n7xy.net
Bainbridge Island, WA http://www.n7xy.net
IOTA NA-065, USI WA-028S
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