Marine Radar on Terra Firma?

[vabiro]

Hi,

I have been looking at some of the marine radar systems, such as the Garmin GMR-18, and wodering about the applicability for weather observation or storm chasing on land.

I was wondering if anyone uses, or knows if it can be used on land for real-time observation of weather?

Are there legal implications for use on land?

4KW is a heck of a lot of power. At what frequency, and will I find that I am being cooked from the inside out ?

Just curious.

Thanks
Victor

[rdale]

It's illegal due to FCC regulations (has to be on water) and it interferes with research radars.

Other than that - okay

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by vabiro

Hi,

I have been looking at some of the marine radar systems, such as the Garmin GMR-18, and wodering about the applicability for weather observation or storm chasing on land.

I was wondering if anyone uses, or knows if it can be used on land for real-time observation of weather?

Are there legal implications for use on land?

4KW is a heck of a lot of power. At what frequency, and will I find that I am being cooked from the inside out ?

Just curious.

Thanks
Victor

Installation Manual Page 2
It is recommended that the radar radome be mounted out of range of personnel (horizontal beam width above head height). When the
radome is transmitting, do not look directly at the antenna at close range; eyes are the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic
energy. When properly installed and operated, the use of this radar conforms to the requirements of ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992 Standard for
Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.


Installation Manual Page 8
FCC Compliance
The GMR 18/24 and GMR 18 HD/24 HD comply with Part 80 of the FCC rules. It has received a grant of equipment authorization, issued under
the authority of the FCC.

FCC Part 80
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/w...7cfr80_00.html

(all this in depth research took less than 5 minutes)

[brad_ramsey]

rdale:

Do you have a reference for that? I can't find anything in 47CFR80 that prohibits using marine radiodetermination equipment on land.

Thanks.

[keepitsimple]

People use radars all the time on boats, often mounted right above their heads on a pole. From what I understand, just make sure it's above you. Oh, and I would make sure no neighbors are in the beam at all. This assumes you won't have it on all the time.

No idea on the legal aspect of using it on land. Guess you'll have to buy boat.