FCC Exam Question: 8-3A1

Frequencies generally used for marine RADAR are in the ___ part of the radio spectrum.

A. UHF
B. EHF
C. SHF
D. VHF
Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Marine RADAR systems predominantly utilize the Super High Frequency (SHF) band, which spans from 3 to 30 GHz. This band includes common radar frequencies such as S-band (around 3 GHz) and X-band (around 9 GHz). SHF frequencies offer several advantages crucial for marine radar: * **Resolution:** Their shorter wavelengths allow for much finer resolution, enabling precise detection and imaging of targets like other vessels, buoys, and shorelines, which is vital for navigation and collision avoidance. * **Antenna Size:** Shorter wavelengths also permit the use of smaller, more practical antenna sizes that can be easily mounted on ships. In contrast: * **VHF (Very High Frequency)** and **UHF (Ultra High Frequency)** have longer wavelengths, providing significantly poorer resolution for radar applications. * **EHF (Extremely High Frequency)**, while offering even higher resolution, suffers from very high atmospheric absorption and requires extremely complex and expensive components, making it impractical for general marine navigation radar.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.