BEYOND-THE-HORIZON RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION AND SURFACE OBJECTS RADAR OBSERVATION IN THE NORTH-WESTERN AREA OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN

Abstract

In general, the coverage range of vessel navigation radars in different areas of the World Ocean is determined by radio wave propagation conditions in these areas. Therefore, the experimental data introducing clarity into diagnosis and prognosis methodology of radio wave attenuation factor is of a great interest. The paper presents the results of experimental researches on radio wave attenuation factor distance dependences and coverage range of vessel navigation radars in the north-western part of the Pacific Ocean. The attenuation factor of direct and reflected signals was studied simultaneously with meteorological researches and investigations of formation conditions of surface ducts and inverse layers. Attenuation factor distance dependences, statistical distribution functions of evaporation duct heights, and data on vessel navigation radar coverage ranges were obtained. The results of the researches promote deeper understanding of the processes in the lower atmosphere layer above the ocean surface that determine the conditions of radio wave propagation and coverage range of vessel navigation radars in different areas of the World Ocean.

Keywords

• attenuation factor
• coverage range
• inverse layer
• statistical distribution function
• surface duct