Is the radar altimeter affected by EMCON?

Is the radar altimeter affected by EMCON?

• A. No
• B. Sometimes
• C. Not at all
• D. Yes

Answer: (D)

EMCON restricts RF emissions, and a radar altimeter is an active RF sensor that emits pulses downward to measure altitude. If emissions are limited or suppressed, the altimeter cannot transmit the pulses (or is greatly reduced in capability), so its measurement function is compromised. Without those transmissions, it can’t reliably determine height, so it is affected by EMCON. In some cases, limited or non-emitting modes might be permitted, but the standard operation of a radar altimeter depends on emitting signals, which EMCON restricts.

EMCON restricts RF emissions, and a radar altimeter is an active RF sensor that emits pulses downward to measure altitude. If emissions are limited or suppressed, the altimeter cannot transmit the pulses (or is greatly reduced in capability), so its measurement function is compromised. Without those transmissions, it can’t reliably determine height, so it is affected by EMCON. In some cases, limited or non-emitting modes might be permitted, but the standard operation of a radar altimeter depends on emitting signals, which EMCON restricts.