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the whole of the reduced band, the effectiveness of the SART in causing detection on
nearby radars would not be impaired.
4.3.3 Radar Target Enhancers (RTEs)
4.3.3.1 Technology description
A Radar Target Enhancer (RTE) is designed to respond to an interrogating radar with an
amplified signal, which is transmitted on the same frequency with minimal time delay in an
omni-directional manner. The effect of this is to provide the structure on which it is
mounted with a consistent radar return where otherwise, without enhancement, it would
have become intermittent, difficult or impossible to detect.
4.3.3.2 Operational Requirements
IMO Regulation 19 paragraph .2.1.7 requires radar reflectors or other means to enable
detection by ships navigating by radar at both 3 and 9 GHz to be carried, where
practicable, by ships less than 150 Gross Tonnes. For UK-flagged this includes pleasure
vessels. Under this regulation, RTEs are regarded as ‘other means’.
4.3.3.3 Regulatory and Standardisation Issues
Reflectors meeting the standards laid down in British Standard BS 7380:1990 (ISO
standard 8729: 1987) meet IMO performance standards. Radar reflectors which were
type tested and approved to the earlier Department for Transport (DfT) Marine Radar
Reflector Specification, published in 1977, also comply with the IMO standards.
Recommendation ITU-R M.1176 gives the technical parameters for RTEs.
4.3.3.4 Possible Improvements to existing technology
Though not strictly an improvement, RTE’s only respond on the frequency on which they
are interrogated. It is therefore possible that changes could be made to the frequencies
allocated to the interrogating radar such that the response of the RTE was also modified.
4.3.3.5 Possible New Technologies (in-band)
Older technologies such as passive radar reflectors are still in use on some vessels,
where there is sufficient space (RTEs providing a similar reflection in much less physical
space). RTEs are currently required to operate in both the 3 and 9 GHz bands (but not
the 5 GHz band), however there is a clear move by the maritime community to
considering the 9 GHz band as the mandatory requirement, with 3 GHz as a back up and
where required by vessels that encounter diverse environmental and weather situations. It
may thus be possible, to remove the requirement for RTEs to operate at 3 GHz (as has
been suggested for RACONs).
4.3.3.6 Alternative Technologies or Spectrum (other or none)
None identified.
4.3.3.7 Allocation Sharing Opportunities
No sharing opportunities specific to RTEs have been identified.
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