Radar Observer · Aids — Racon
A racon paints on the radar as:
- AA flashing own-ship marker
- BA solid ring around the screen center
- CA coded signal (often a Morse character) extending radially outward from just beyond the aid's position✓ Correct
- DNothing — it only works with GPS
Explanation
A racon is a radar transponder beacon: when triggered by a ship's radar it transmits a coded reply that appears as a bright Morse-coded flash radiating outward from a point just beyond the racon's location on the same bearing. It identifies the aid and confirms radar operation; the slight outward offset is the transponder's response delay.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9); Light List
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