McMurdo HEKLEO-SX Racon
Racon devices are used at sea to mark navigational hazards as RADAR targets for presentation on a ship navigational radar display. The word Racon comes from combining RAdar and beaCON. The McMurdo HEKLEO-SX Racon is a frequency agile all-weather radar transponder that works on both “X” band (3cm wavelength), and “S” Band (10cm wavelength) frequencies.
The McMurdo HEKLEO-SX Racon is a frequency agile all-weather radar transponder that works on both “X” band (3cm wavelength), and “S” Band (10cm wavelength) frequencies.
A HEKLEO-SX Racon responds to a radar interrogation by transmitting a Morse code character which appears on the passing ships radar display. When HEKLEO-SX Racon receives a ships interrogating radar pulse, it responds with a return signal on the same Radar frequency, this results in a special Radar target image icon appearing on the ships radar display. The icon takes the form of a short line of dots and dashes forming a Morse character radiating away from the fixed position of the HEKLEO-SX Racon as indicated on the ships radar display. The length of the line usually corresponds to the equivalent of a few nautical miles on the display. Once the Morse letter is displayed on screen, the bearing and distance of the HEKLEO-SX Racon from the vessel can be observed.
Even when numerous radar returns clutter the radar display, a coded Racon icon trace is an unmistakable feature on the radar display and provides the means for accurate and positive identification of a hazard to navigation.
McMurdo HEKLEO-SX Racons are often used as aids to navigation when marking:
- Lighthouses and navigation buoys (the majority are on buoys rather than lighthouses).
- Offshore oil platforms and other marine structures.
- Environmentally-sensitive areas such as coral reefs.
- Navigable spans under bridges.
- To identify centre lines and turning points.
In some parts of the World they are also used :
- To indicate temporary, new and uncharted hazards (with a Morse character “D”).
- As leading line Racons.
With more than 5,500km of coastline France has some of the highest numbers of Navigation equipment in the EU. McMurdo’s HEKLEO-SX Racon was originally developed to fulfill the environmentally demanding requirements of the French Lighthouse and Navigation Authorities (CETMEF), who went on to equip the French coast with this cost effective and efficient navigation aid.
- Latest technologies.
- Fully IALA compliant.
- Easy installation and programming.
- Maintenance free.
- Very low power consumption.
HEKLEO-SX e-Navigation Solutions
With more than 5,500 km of coastline, France is one of the countries in the EU which offers the highest amount of navigation equipment.
Full Compliance
Compliant with IMO/IALA regulations, HEKLEO-SX operates on both S and X bands and provides the indispensable service in all weather conditions.
Latest Technologies
This newly developed, product benefits from the latest technologies like field programmable arrays and programmable timers, widely used in the HEKLEO-SX, and resulting in a lightweight product.
Low Consumption Strategy
HEKLEO-SX has been designed for low power requirements by implementing a power saving strategy. In addition to low consumption performances during the active period, the HEKLEO-SX RACON observes idle periods which enable first the navigator to check the presence of echoes unintentionally hidden by the RACON response and second to save energy. Additionally, if no radar is detected in the vicinity, the RACON enters into a quiescent period where only the waking circuits are on duty.
Operation
HEKLEO-SX answers all active radars in the vicinity with a user programmed morse code which identifies its location by appearing on the radar display. HEKLEO-SX is fitted with a Side Lobe Suppression system to better discriminate the genuine pulses to be responded to. The length of the morse code response matches the display range setting by programming the duration of the answer according to the pulse length.
Easy Installation And Programming
HEKLEO-SX is fitted with a standard common user interface which can used without any dedicated terminal. A standard laptop can be connected to the user port to check and reprogram the RACON. HEKLEO-SX is fitted with a built-in-test which permanently scans the system. An automatic calibration is performed periodically to ensure that the RACON is working in its nominal conditions. The RACON is delivered with a user’s manual in English, a power supply cable and a programming cable.
Maintenance Free
HEKLEO-SX is very easy to install and program. It doesn’t require any specific tools or training.
Features
Radar Responding Beacon Aid to Maritime Navigation Compliant with Iala Recommendations.
S BAND 2.9 – 3.1 GHz
X BAND 9.3 – 9.5 GHz
• RACON – RAdar BeaCON
Technical specification
| FREQUENCY | X band (9300-9500 MHz), S band (2900-3100 MHz) |
| RECEPTION | S and X bands |
| Detected pulse widths | 50 to 2000 ns |
| Receiver sensitivity | 50 dBm, X band (adjustable) ; 50 dBm, S band (adjustable) |
| Response delay | 670 ns and <700 ns typical |
| Response Encoding | Programmable : In standard version 15 letters of Morse code available : 13 letters as recommended by IMO A530 and letters A & U, other letters can be implemented by request |
| EMISSION | S and X bands |
| Emitted power | X Band 1W typical, S Band 1W typical |
| Response duration | Selected by user according to interrogation pulse width (6 to 60 µsec) |
| POWER SUPPLY | |
| Voltage | 10 to 32V |
| Standby current | <20 mA (12 Vdc with two bands operation selected) |
| Listening current | <100mA (same conditions) |
| Operating current | 700 mA max with two bands in operation with radar answering in saturation 50% duty cycle. |
| COMMUNICATION | |
| User port | RS 232 serial link for programming and testing |
| Logical outputs | 3 dry contacts default X, default S, default power supply |
| Logical input | Inhibition for local radars |
| ANTENNAS | |
| Polarisation | Horizontal and vertical in S band, Horizontal in X band |
| Horizontal diagram (pan) | ±2 dB in X + S bands over 360° |
| Vertical diagram (tilt) | ±3 dB X + S bands over ±15° |
| FUNCTIONALITY | Response to several interlaced radars |
| Suppression of side lobes interrogations (SLS) in X and S bands | |
| Programming of active and idle periods. Cycle time programmable : active from 0 to 60 sec. and idle from 0 to 60 sec | |
| Quiescent cycle when no interrogation | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Operation temperature | 2 versions |
| -20°C at +60°C | |
| 40°C at +60°C | |
| Water and dust protection | P67 |
| Accessories | Programming cable, power supply cable |
| User’s manual in English | |
| MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS | |
| Dimensions | Diameter 28 cm, height 74 cm max |
| Weight | 9 Kg |
| Material | Polyethylene body anti UV |
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