Quickly calculate the radar horizon or line of sight distance for your radar system. Our easy-to-use tool accounts for antenna height, the curvature of the Earth, and atmospheric refraction, crucial for accurate planning in aviation, marine navigation, and surveillance applications.
Formula:
The radar horizon distance (d) can be calculated using the fundamental formula:
d = √(2 * Reff * h)
Where:
- d = Radar Horizon Distance
- Reff = Effective Earth Radius (approximately 8494.67 km or 5280 miles for standard atmospheric conditions, which often assumes Reff ≈ 4/3 * REarth)
- h = Antenna Height above ground
This formula helps determine how far a radar signal can travel before being obstructed by the Earth's curvature and accounts for atmospheric bending of the signal.