North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

What can high sensitivity settings result in when using radar?

1. Only tracking large vehicles

2. Monitoring multiple targets

3. Detecting weaker signals

4. Increased false readings

The correct answer is: Detecting weaker signals

High sensitivity settings on radar equipment are designed to enhance the ability to detect signals, making it possible to identify weaker returns that might otherwise go unnoticed. This enhancement is particularly crucial in environments where smaller targets or those at greater distances might be present, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the radar's surroundings. When sensitivity is increased, the radar can pick up smaller objects or those that reflect less energy. This means that even faint reflections from pedestrians, small vehicles, or debris can be detected. While this allows for a broader range of measurements, it is essential to consider that such heightened sensitivity may lead to the detection of signals that could be too weak to be meaningful or accurate, resulting in a higher chance of false positives. In contrast, monitoring multiple targets typically requires a balance between sensitivity and the ability to discriminate against clutter, and only tracking large vehicles would not leverage the benefits of high sensitivity effectively. Increased false readings can occur as a secondary effect of heightened sensitivity but are not the primary result of adjusting settings to detect weaker signals.