How Radar Works | Start Learning About EW Here

Radar is pretty ubiquitous nowadays, but how does it really work? There's a lot more to it than you think and this series is here to explain it. In this video we'll go over the basics of radar waves. It'll teach you everything you need to understand more advanced topics like finding range, speed, and low RCS targets.

In future videos we'll also delve into the shadowy world of EW. That's Electronic or Electromagnetic Warfare depending on you ask. But either way it concerns the same thing. I don't see a lot of discussion on it, mostly because it's confusing and some areas are off limits to the public. But there's a vast swathe that can be talked about in public and that's what we'll cover.

So I hope you'll join me on this journey which all starts with Radar 101.

For further learning on radar I recommend watching this lecture series:

Obligatory disclaimers:

The presence of DOD Visual Information in this video does not constitute endorsement by the DOD or any of its departments. Any views expressed by the presenter are those of the presenter and do not represent the views of the DOD or any of its components.

Some images used in this video were created by the following:

Additional sources:

[athr_blu]

It was a clear and nice explanation. Please do not stop/limit this series to mechanical pulse doppler radars. I would love to see a pesa/aesa series and if possible more advanced engineering focussed videos too if possible !

[aeronexus_test]

ugh... that was one of the best videos on radar intro i have seen in a while....

[vyper]

As a radar operator, I would say this video is a great introduction and I wish I had it when I was first learning.

[MrAcecom]

This is by far one of the most informative videos I have seen to date on radar operation. Great job!

[dominicestebanrice]

This is a masterclass in how to use YouTube to introduce a complex subject. Superb content!

[lwrcfng]

Mike. I absolutely love this content. I tried going through an old video by Whitehorse via YouTube for basics of High, medium and low PRF lessons. They were methodological and patience in their presentation. I might have walked away with a mere 30 to 40% of their lesson plan. I have also gone through several more articles (some from the Navy graduate level lecture notes/PowerPoints, some from other articles explaining PRF and RADAR basics). Your video here is the greatest so far. I look forward to it, and sincerely hope you will develop this RADAR education series further. So many thanks to this. Thank you!

[DarkShadow-jypo]

Very well made video mate, from playing DCS for about 2 years now I knew how radars worked in practice but it is very interesting to know about the science behind it

[emmanuelrajah]

Golden Point - A receiver can only receive signals when a transmitter or plane is sending signals

[AlanGudgeon-ut]

Hi, in the film forbidden planet,
Spaceship identify yourself,
You are being tracked.
Always had interest in radar, great to learn, great vid😊

[exponentmantissa]

Very good. Well done from a retired electrical engineer.

[michaels.chupka]

standing o again. your channel has become my go-to for information on the elements in dcs which I only slimly understand. hoping you get to reap the benefits of your work with increased subscriptions.

[theFatMan]

This is one of the most important videos I've watched in my entire life. Thank you very much!

[sforza]

1:17 I’m sure Percy’s chocolate bar wasnt the only thing that was fried during his time researching radar emitters.

[Dimasterua]

This looks like an awesome series! Can't wait for more :)

You mentioned that PRF is going to be discussed is future videos - would you be able to touch on how the uncertainty principle affects those ranging calculations? I remember that this is primarily what dictates the use of MPRF vs HPRF but don't remember the exact explanation. Thanks for your videos, these are fantastic resources!

[charliebravo]

Thankyou for the great content! Came here for a crash course in radar before I got into the ELF antenna for submarine comms and was not disappointed. Thanks again 👍

[GoloGreis-in]

Micro waves and radio waves are in different frequency ranges

[SNTRY]

A+ as always. Very keen to see this progress.

Thanks again!

[hmabboud]

I wish everyone online would be as good as you explaining any topic :)

[samsmith]

You deserve more followers. Your channel is truly a reference for DCS. Keep up the good work!

[deepakkiran]

Every sentence of this video spits out important information