Echomax reflectors use a symmetrical arrangement of interacting corners. Whilst its centreband response pattern is maintained at 15° tilt RCS is -5dB. To counter this, and avoid 'mast shadow'.

Pass a bight over the yardarm via a dead eye. Return bight through reflectors eye and secure taking lines through bight. Take tails through reflectors bottom eye and then to separate cleats via loops at --xx--.

IMPORTANT
yachtsmen will be aware of the need to trim the reflector when on the reverse tack, failure to do so will result in compounding the angle of heel rendering the reflector inefficient.

Note: Reflector trimmed to leeward 15°. Mast heeling to 30°.
Echomax 230mm response = 6m².

Echomax may be fitted in any position around the mast (i.e fore or aft).
Hypothetical figures on mast shadow may be viewed here.

Utilising Echomax stainless steel mast brackets fit reflector as high as possible on the mast, using Monel or stainless steel rivets (3/16 x 1/2" 4.8 x12.7mm). To avoid electrolytic action use zinc chromate paste between bracket and mast or closed cell foam tape. Firstly fix top bracket to mast in the required position, measure distance vertically between centres, mark position of lower bracket then drill and fix. Use two stainless steel hexagonal bolts 8mm dia x 30mm long to fix Echomax to the mounting brackets.

The best position to mount your radar will be on a frame loop over the radar, which can utilise other antenna, spot lights etc. This would allow 360-degree response.

Second best position is on the same frame as the radar providing it is below the rotating array horizontal beam width of 22/25 degrees. The Midi base mount is 432mm high. Perhaps you would draw a scale metric drawing to see if and how far away the reflector could be mounted so as not to interfere with the radar transmissions. If you were able to mount the reflector on the same frame as the radar then you would have considerable shadow from the reflector when transmitting.

With the above in mind you will not have any loss of performance by mounting the units close together as the Echomax Midi is a passive device. Typical installations by Sunseeker and Hardy are shown below with Echomax mounted above the radar on a custom made structure

Will the reflector affect VHF performance?

Being a passive device, Echomax will not affect your VHF response, however since VHF is line of sight loss of signal may occur if situated between aerial and transmitter.

Echomax should not be mounted on the same plane as a radar horizontal beam width transmission of 22/25 degrees. Install ideally above the radar on a purpose made loop, see Hardy – Sunseeker installations .

Being a passive device mounting in close proximity to other antenna will not affect their performance electrically but may restrict/shadow their reception/transmission of the signal particularly VHF which is in line of sight, if concerned check with the manufacturer of the equipment in question.

CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN DRILLING ALUMINIUM MASTS IN CASE INTERNAL WIRING EXISTS