Dave

Your words brought back memories. TNX. Should have remembered.

I still think homebuilders can build a Stealth bird.

Some shielding like in the 117 might be an easy way to reduce return
from areas that are not 'glass'.

Big John


On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:06:41 -0500, Dave Butler
wrote:

Big John wrote:

I'm not up to speed on current traffic control radar and if they both
'skin paint' and look at transponder returns?.

What you're calling 'skin paint' is what ATC calls "primary radar". The ATC
system that processes transponder returns is called "secondary radar", also
known as ATCRBS (Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System).

Both kinds of radar operate simultaneously and using antennas that rotate together.

Occasionally you'll hear that either primary or secondary radar is out of
service at a particular facility. If secondary radar is out of service they have
to use some other means of identifying the primary radar returns. If primary
radar is out of service, they can see only transponder-equipped aircraft.

Remove SHIRT to reply directly.
Dave