Contents

IMPORTANT NOTICES
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
1. OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
- 1.1 Controls Overview
  - 1.1.1 Control Unit RCU-014
  - 1.1.2 Control Unit RCU-015/RCU-016
- 1.2 How to Turn the Radar On/Off
- 1.3 How to Adjust the Brilliance
- 1.4 Display Indications
  - 1.4.1 InstantAccess bar buttons
  - 1.4.2 Radar display and shortcuts
  - 1.4.3 Information and settings
- 1.5 Menu Operations
  - 1.5.1 How to open and close the main menu
  - 1.5.2 How to operate the menus
- 1.6 How to Use the On-screen Box Menus
- 1.7 How to Use the CURSOR Menu
- 1.8 Cursor Data
  - 1.8.1 How to change the cursor data attributes (B/W-type only)
- 1.9 How to Set Up Function Keys
- 1.10 How to Customize Operation
- 1.11 How to Select the Interface for Heading Input
- 1.12 How to Set Own Ships Speed
  - 1.12.1 Automatic speed input (log or EPFS navigator)
  - 1.12.2 Manual speed input
- 1.13 How to Set the Own Ship Position
- 1.14 How to Adjust the Date and Time
- 1.15 User Settings
  - 1.15.1 How to reset the user settings
  - 1.15.2 How to save/load user settings
- 1.16 How to Start/Stop Transmission
- 1.17 How to Tune the Receiver (Magnetron Radars Only)
  - 1.17.1 How to select the tuning method
  - 1.17.2 How to initialize tuning
  - 1.17.3 How to tune the receiver manually
- 1.18 How to Select a Pulselength
  - 1.18.1 How to select a pulselength
  - 1.18.2 How to change the preset pulselength
- 1.19 How to Adjust Sensitivity
- 1.20 How to Reduce Sea Clutter
  - 1.20.1 How to select the method of clutter adjustment
  - 1.20.2 How to fine-tune sea clutter reduction
  - 1.20.3 How to manually reduce sea clutter
  - 1.20.4 How to use the BERTHING STC function
- 1.21 How to Reduce Rain Clutter
  - 1.21.1 How to select the method of rain clutter reduction
  - 1.21.2 How to manually reduce the rain clutter
- 1.22 Interference Rejector
- 1.23 Echo Stretch
- 1.24 Echo Averaging
- 1.25 Automatic Clutter Elimination (ACE) Function
  - 1.25.1 How to turn the Automatic Clutter Elimination (ACE) function on/off
  - 1.25.2 How to adjust the gain in Automatic Clutter Elimination (ACE) mode
  - 1.25.3 How to get high sensitivity
  - 1.25.4 How to suppress false echoes
- 1.26 Noise Rejector
- 1.27 Wiper
- 1.28 How to Preset Controls for a Specific Navigation Purpose
  - 1.28.1 How to select a customized echo
  - 1.28.2 How to edit a customized echo
  - 1.28.3 How to restore a user customized echo to the saved settings
  - 1.28.4 How to restore a user customized echo to the factory default settings
  - 1.28.5 How to edit the available customized echoes
- 1.29 How to Reject Second-trace Echoes
- 1.30 Orientation Modes
  - 1.30.1 How to select an presentation mode
  - 1.30.2 Description of presentation modes
- 1.31 How to Select a Range Scale
- 1.32 How to Measure Range
  - 1.32.1 How to show/hide the range rings
  - 1.32.2 How to measure range with the variable range marker (VRM)
  - 1.32.3 How to set the VRM unit of measurement (B-type only)
  - 1.32.4 How to show TTG to VRM
- 1.33 How to Measure Bearing
  - 1.33.1 Methods to measure bearing
  - 1.33.2 True or relative bearing
- 1.34 Collision Assessment by Offset EBL
  - 1.34.1 How to assess risk of collision using the offset EBL
  - 1.34.2 How to set the origin point reference for EBL OFFSET
- 1.35 How to Measure Range and Bearing Between Two Targets
- 1.36 How to Off-Center the Display
- 1.37 Target Trails
  - 1.37.1 True or relative trails
  - 1.37.2 Trail time
  - 1.37.3 Trail gradation
  - 1.37.4 Trail level
  - 1.37.5 Narrow trails (B/W-type only)
  - 1.37.6 How to hide the trails temporarily
  - 1.37.7 Trail stabilization in true motion
  - 1.37.8 How to erase/restart trails
  - 1.37.9 How to prevent sea clutter in true trails
  - 1.37.10 How to show/hide OS trails
  - 1.37.11 How to show/hide land trails (B/W-type only)
  - 1.37.12 How to set the trail length (B/W-type only)
  - 1.37.13 How to set the trail color (B/W-type only)
  - 1.37.14 How to remove the colors from a section of a multicolor trail (B/W-type only)
  - 1.37.15 How to offset the colors for multicolored trail (B/W-type only)
- 1.38 Target Analyzer (B/W-type only)
  - 1.38.1 How to activate/deactivate the target analyzer
- 1.39 Target Alarm
  - 1.39.1 How to set a target alarm
  - 1.39.2 How to mute the target alarm
  - 1.39.3 How to deactivate a target alarm
  - 1.39.4 How to change target alarm attributes
- 1.40 PI (Parallel Index) Lines
  - 1.40.1 How to show/hide the PI lines
  - 1.40.2 How to set the maximum number of lines to display
  - 1.40.3 How to change PI line bearing and interval
  - 1.40.4 How to change the PI line bearing reference (B/W-type only)
  - 1.40.5 How to change the PI line orientation
  - 1.40.6 How to reset the PI lines to default (ships heading)
  - 1.40.7 How to change PI line length (IMO/A/B/R-types only)
- 1.41 How to Use the Net (Diamond) Cursor (B/W-type only)
  - 1.41.1 How to activate the net cursor
  - 1.41.2 How to set the net cursor dimensions and orientation
- 1.42 Zoom
- 1.43 How to Use Marks
  - 1.43.1 Heading line mark
  - 1.43.2 How to hide/show the stern mark
  - 1.43.3 North mark
  - 1.43.4 How to set up the own ship symbol
  - 1.43.5 How to set the barge marker
  - 1.43.6 Antenna mark
  - 1.43.7 Latitude/longitude grid
- 1.44 Drop Mark
  - 1.44.1 How to activate the drop mark
  - 1.44.2 How to inscribe a drop mark
  - 1.44.3 How to erase drop marks
- 1.45 Brilliance and Color Schemes
  - 1.45.1 How to select a brilliance and color scheme
  - 1.45.2 How to change the color and brilliance assigned to a palette
  - 1.45.3 How to change the color palette
- 1.46 How to Display and Set Up Navigational Data
  - 1.46.1 How to set up the navigational data
  - 1.46.2 How to display navigational data
- 1.47 How to Use the Information Box
- 1.48 Interswitch
  - 1.48.1 How to display antenna information
  - 1.48.2 How to preset antenna and display combinations
  - 1.48.3 How to clear the interswitch
- 1.49 Performance Monitor
  - 1.49.1 How to activate/deactivate the performance monitor
  - 1.49.2 How to check the radars performance
- 1.50 How to Change the Reference Position
- 1.51 Anchor Watch
- 1.52 Alerts
  - 1.52.1 What is an alert?
  - 1.52.2 How to interpret the [ALERT] box
  - 1.52.3 How to acknowledge an alert
  - 1.52.4 How to silence the alert buzzer
  - 1.52.5 Alert list
  - 1.52.6 Alert icons and their meanings
  - 1.52.7 Responsibility transfer alert
- 1.53 Icing Prevention
- 1.54 How to Select a Display Mode (B/W-type Only)
- 1.55 How to Manage SD Card Data
  - 1.55.1 Formatting the SD card
  - 1.55.2 Cautionary notes on handling SD cards
  - 1.55.3 Compatible SD cards
  - 1.55.4 How to insert SD cards
  - 1.55.5 How to remove SD cards
  - 1.55.6 How to save data to an SD card
  - 1.55.7 How to read (load) data from an SD card
  - 1.55.8 How to delete data from an SD card
- 1.56 How to Take a Screenshot
- 1.57 How to Use the Watch Alert (A/B/W-types only)
- 1.58 Dual Radar (A/B-types only)
  - 1.58.1 How to toggle control of each dual radar display
  - 1.58.2 Operating considerations for the dual radar display
- 1.59 Wave Mode
- 1.60 Doppler Feature (X-band Solid State Radars only)
2. RADAR OBSERVATION
- 2.1 General
  - 2.1.1 Minimum range
  - 2.1.2 Maximum range
  - 2.1.3 X-band and S-band
  - 2.1.4 Radar resolution
  - 2.1.5 Bearing accuracy
  - 2.1.6 Range measurement
- 2.2 False Echoes
- 2.3 SART (Search and Rescue Transponder)
  - 2.3.1 SART description
  - 2.3.2 How to show SART marks on the radar display
  - 2.3.3 General remarks on receiving SARTs
- 2.4 RACON
- 2.5 Radar Target Enhancer (RTE)
- 2.6 Solid state radar
3. TARGET TRACKING (TT)
- 3.1 Precautions when Using Target Tracking
- 3.2 TT Controls
- 3.3 TT Box Overview
- 3.4 How to Select the TT mode
- 3.5 How to Acquire and Track Targets
  - 3.5.1 How to manually acquire a target
  - 3.5.2 How to automatically acquire targets
- 3.6 How to Enter Own Ship Speed
  - 3.6.1 Echo-referenced speed input
- 3.7 How to Cancel Target Tracking
  - 3.7.1 How to cancel tracking for individual TT targets
  - 3.7.2 How to cancel tracking for all TT targets
- 3.8 Lost Target
  - 3.8.1 How to set the lost target filter
  - 3.8.2 How to enable/disable the lost target alert
- 3.9 TT Symbols and Attributes
  - 3.9.1 How to adjust symbol brilliance
  - 3.9.2 How to set the symbol color
  - 3.9.3 How to select a TT symbol (B/W-types only)
- 3.10 How to Display/Remove Target Data
  - 3.10.1 TT pop up information
  - 3.10.2 How to show/remove target data in the data display area
  - 3.10.3 How to display, hide and sort the target list
- 3.11 How to Assign a Preset Name to TT Targets (B/ W-type only)
  - 3.11.1 How to activate the preset name function
  - 3.11.2 How to setup preset names
  - 3.11.3 How to assign a name to a TT
- 3.12 Vector Modes
  - 3.12.1 Description of vectors
  - 3.12.2 Vector mode and length
- 3.13 Past Position Display
  - 3.13.1 How to display past position points and select the plotting interval
  - 3.13.2 How to select the number of past position points to be displayed
- 3.14 Set and Drift
- 3.15 Collision Alarm (CPA, TCPA)
  - 3.15.1 How to set the CPA and TCPA ranges
  - 3.15.2 How to acknowledge the TT collision alarm
- 3.16 Acquisition Zone
  - 3.16.1 How to enable the acquisition zones
  - 3.16.2 How to activate the first acquisition zone (AZ1)
  - 3.16.3 How to set a polygon acquisition zone (AZ2)
  - 3.16.4 How to sleep/deactivate an acquisition zone
  - 3.16.5 How to acknowledge the acquisition zone alert
  - 3.16.6 How to select the target type to acquire (B/W-types only)
  - 3.16.7 How to change the acquisition zone reference
  - 3.16.8 How to set acquisition zone shape and stabilization (B/W- types only)
- 3.17 Trial Maneuvers
  - 3.17.1 Types of trial maneuvers
  - 3.17.2 How to perform a trial maneuver
  - 3.17.3 How to stop the trial maneuver
- 3.18 TT System Messages
- 3.19 TT Simulation Mode
- 3.20 Criteria for Tracking Target Selection
- 3.21 Factors Affecting Target Tracking
4. AIS OPERATION
- 4.1 Controls for AIS
- 4.2 AIS Box Overview
- 4.3 How to Select the AIS Display Mode
- 4.4 AIS Symbols and Their Meanings
- 4.5 How to Use the AIS Display Filter
- 4.6 How to Activate AIS Targets
  - 4.6.1 How to activate specific targets manually
  - 4.6.2 How to set the AIS auto activate function
- 4.7 How to Sleep AIS Targets
  - 4.7.1 How to sleep individual AIS targets
  - 4.7.2 How to sleep all AIS targets
- 4.8 How to Set Up For a Voyage
  - 4.8.1 How to access the VOYAGE DATA menu
- 4.9 How to Display AIS Target Data
  - 4.9.1 AIS pop-up information
  - 4.9.2 How to display basic AIS target data
  - 4.9.3 How to display expanded AIS target data
  - 4.9.4 How to remove target data from the display area
- 4.10 How to Change AIS Symbol Attributes
  - 4.10.1 How to adjust the AIS symbol brilliance
  - 4.10.2 How to change the color of the AIS symbol
  - 4.10.3 How to change the color of the ATON symbol
  - 4.10.4 How to change the size of the AIS symbol
- 4.11 Past Position Display
  - 4.11.1 How to display past position points and select the plotting interval
  - 4.11.2 How to select the number of past position points to be displayed
  - 4.11.3 Past position display orientation
  - 4.11.4 Stabilization in true motion
- 4.12 Lost Target
  - 4.12.1 How to set the lost target filter
  - 4.12.2 How to enable/disable the lost target alert
- 4.13 ROT Setting
- 4.14 AIS Collision Alarm (CPA, TCPA)
  - 4.14.1 How to set the CPA and TCPA ranges
- 4.15 How to Associate TT and AIS Targets
- 4.16 How to View Own Ship Data
- 4.17 How to Use AIS Messages
  - 4.17.1 How to create and save messages
  - 4.17.2 How to transmit messages
  - 4.17.3 How to view messages
  - 4.17.4 How to set up the AIS message notification
  - 4.17.5 How to display AIS alert messages
- 4.18 AIS System Messages
5. VIDEO PLOTTER OPERATION
- 5.1 Orientation Modes
- 5.2 How to select a mark type
- 5.3 How to select the mark inscription position
- 5.4 Radar Map
  - 5.4.1 How to show/hide radar map marks
  - 5.4.2 How to select the mark color (B/W-type only)
  - 5.4.3 How to inscribe marks
  - 5.4.4 How to delete marks
  - 5.4.5 How to align the radar map
- 5.5 Origin Mark
  - 5.5.1 How to inscribe origin marks
  - 5.5.2 How to set origin mark stabilization
  - 5.5.3 How to delete origin marks
- 5.6 How to Change the Shape of the Own Ship Mark
- 5.7 How to Use ECDIS Chart Marks
- 5.8 Own Ship and Other Ships Track
  - 5.8.1 How to show/hide tracks
  - 5.8.2 How to set the plotting interval
  - 5.8.3 How to set the track color (A/B/W-types only)
  - 5.8.4 How to automatically plot target tracks (A/B/W-types only)
  - 5.8.5 How to delete tracks
- 5.9 How to Use Waypoints
  - 5.9.1 How to set the data source for waypoints
  - 5.9.2 How to enter waypoints
  - 5.9.3 How to erase waypoints
  - 5.9.4 How to display the waypoint list
  - 5.9.5 How to show/hide the waypoint name/number
- 5.10 Routes
  - 5.10.1 How to set/edit an internal route
  - 5.10.2 How to display routes
  - 5.10.3 How to delete internal routes
  - 5.10.4 How to view the routes list
  - 5.10.5 How to use the waypoint arrival distance function
- 5.11 Chart Functions
  - 5.11.1 How to show/hide the chart
  - 5.11.2 How to align the chart position
  - 5.11.3 How to select the chart type
  - 5.11.4 Chart settings menu
  - 5.11.5 How to show/hide land mass emphasis
  - 5.11.6 How to check your charts/symbol versions
6. MAINTENANCE, TROUBLESHOOTING
- 6.1 Periodic Maintenance Schedule
- 6.2 How to Replace the Fuse
- 6.3 Life Expectancy of Major Parts
- 6.4 Trackball Maintenance
- 6.5 Easy Troubleshooting
- 6.6 Advanced-level Troubleshooting
- 6.7 Diagnostics
- 6.8 Sentence Monitor
- 6.9 Fallback Arrangements
APPENDIX 1 MENU TREE
APPENDIX 2 LONGITUDE ERROR TABLE (96 NM SCALE)
APPENDIX 3 ALERT LIST
APPENDIX 4 DATA COLOR AND MEANING
APPENDIX 5 ABBREVIATIONS
APPENDIX 6 SYMBOLS
APPENDIX 7 PARTS LOCATION
APPENDIX 8 RADIO REGULATORY INFORMATION
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Declaration of Conformity

Furuno FAR-2218 Operator's Manual

Pages 318

Year 2017

Language(s)

of 318

Operator's Manual

318 pages

Operator's Manual

426 pages

Furuno FAR-2218 Radar Specification

The Furuno FAR-2218 Radar is a highly advanced marine radar system designed for professional maritime navigation, offering exceptional performance and reliability. It operates on the X-band frequency, providing high-resolution imaging and enhanced target detection capabilities suitable for diverse maritime conditions. The system features a 12 kW output power, ensuring long-range target detection up to 96 nautical miles, making it ideal for extensive sea journeys. The radar is equipped with a high-definition 21-inch color LCD display, delivering crisp and clear visuals that allow for easy interpretation of radar images.

The FAR-2218 employs advanced signal processing technology to enhance target discrimination and minimize interference from sea clutter and precipitation, ensuring accurate and reliable data presentation. Its automatic clutter suppression and echo stretch functions improve target visibility in challenging environments. The radar supports ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) functionality, with the ability to track up to 100 targets simultaneously, providing comprehensive situational awareness and collision avoidance capabilities.

The system's intuitive user interface is designed for ease of operation, featuring customizable display modes and settings to cater to user preferences and operational requirements. The radar also integrates seamlessly with other navigation systems, supporting NMEA 0183 and Ethernet connectivity for data sharing across the vessel's bridge network. Built to withstand harsh marine environments, the FAR-2218 is housed in a robust, weatherproof casing, ensuring durability and longevity. This radar system is ideal for commercial vessels requiring reliable navigation support and advanced tracking features, enhancing safety and operational efficiency at sea.

Furuno FAR-2218 Radar F.A.Q.

How do I perform a radar self-test on the Furuno FAR-2218?

To perform a self-test on the Furuno FAR-2218, press the 'MENU' button, select 'TEST', and then choose 'RADAR SELF TEST'. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

What should I do if the radar display is not turning on?

Ensure that the power cable is securely connected and that the power supply is operational. Check the circuit breaker and fuses. If the problem persists, contact technical support.

How can I adjust the gain settings for optimal performance?

Access the gain settings by pressing the 'GAIN' button. Adjust the gain knob until the background noise is minimized while ensuring clear target display. Experiment with both manual and automatic gain settings for best results.

What is the procedure for updating the radar software?

Download the latest software update from the Furuno website onto a USB drive. Connect the USB drive to the radar's USB port, then navigate to 'MENU > SYSTEM > SOFTWARE UPDATE' to initiate the update process.

How do I calibrate the heading sensor on the FAR-2218?

To calibrate the heading sensor, go to 'MENU > SETUP > HEADING CALIBRATION'. Follow the on-screen instructions, which typically involve making a series of turns to allow the radar to calibrate the sensor accurately.

Why is the radar showing a weak signal return?

Check the antenna for obstructions and ensure it is properly aligned. Verify that the radar is not set to a lower power mode and that the gain settings are appropriate. Consider environmental factors such as weather conditions as well.

How can I troubleshoot if the radar image is not updating?

Ensure that the antenna is rotating and check for any obstructions. Verify that the radar is not in 'STANDBY' mode. Restart the radar system to see if the image updates correctly.

What maintenance checks should be performed regularly on the FAR-2218?

Regularly inspect the antenna for physical damage or obstructions. Clean the display screen and ensure all connections are secure. Perform system diagnostics periodically and check for software updates.

How do I set up guard zones on the Furuno FAR-2218?

Access the 'MENU', select 'GUARD ZONE', and configure the desired parameters such as range and angle. Use the controls to place the zone on the radar display as needed.

What is the best way to clean the radar antenna?

Use a soft, damp cloth with mild detergent to gently wipe the antenna surface. Avoid using abrasive materials or solvents that could damage the radar's exterior.