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racon An active radar beacon located on a buoy or other structure which transmits back to your radar a signal which identifies it on your radar screen whenever it is struck by your radar beam. These are very valuable aids to navigation as they are unmistakable when triggered. The signals appear as bright broad (5° or so) signal on your radar, often divided into sections to represent a Morse code letter. The radial length of the signal can be a mile or more, and if seen for the first time up close at night in the wheelhouse alone, they can be startling.

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