Radar power specification

[Mark Redmon]

My Lowrance LRA-4000 open array radar magnetron uses 12v * 8a = 96watts.  How is it that it is rated at 4kw?
Thanks,
Mark

[Capt. Bob]

I would think that the 96 watts is the input and the 4 kw is the output.
Sorta like a transformer only with microwaves.
As you can tell, I know nothing about radar but here's a link that has more than most people (like myself) would ever want to know.

http://www.radartutorial.eu/08.transmitters/tx08.en.html  

[RickK]

"Magnetrons function as self-excited microwave oscillators. Crossed electron and magnetic fields are used in the magnetron to produce the high-power output required in radar equipment. "
That's all I could make sense out of before my eyes started glazing.  

Let me see now, you give this guy named Magnetron a copy of Playboy magazine and the rest is easy to figure out  

[Capt. Bob]

I think the key here is..
Don't stand too close if you have a pacemaker or skull plate. :o

[GoneFission]

Hold a small florescent bulb up in front of the antenna - if it glows each time the antenna turns toward it, it's about right...     If it blows up, you may want to put that radar unit back on the aircraft carrier you stole it from...  

[DOCREED]

Another thing to remember, traditional Radars are pulsed.  So it maybe 4kw on a pulse.  The total time the radar is actually transmitting, per min, is quite low.  I bet the display draws more then the transmitter.  The old CRT display drew a lot of power compared to the new LCD displays.