- 9 GHz (X-band)
- A radar SART answers only 3 cm (X-band) radar, 9.2–9.5 GHz. An S-band (10 cm) radar does not trigger it.
- 12 dots
- On the searcher's radar it shows as a line of 12 dots about 0.6 nm apart, pointing away from the SART along its bearing. The SART is at the dot nearest the radar's own ship.
- Arcs and circles
- Somewhere between about 1 and 5 nm the dots spread into arcs. Very close, they become circles round the centre of the screen.
- Range
- About 8–10 nm from a ship's radar (SART at least 1 m above the sea). About 30–40 nm from an aircraft. Height matters: hold it at least 1 m up, on its pole.
- Battery
- 96 hours on standby, then at least 8 hours answering radar. Replace by the expiry date on the label.
- Indicator
- The light or beeper changes when a radar reaches the SART, so survivors know a ship or aircraft is close.
- Radar range
- Use the 6 or 12 nm range so the line of dots fits on the screen. On 3 nm the SART may be off the edge.
- Carriage
- SOLAS cargo ships of 300–500 GT carry one SART; passenger ships and cargo ships of 500 GT and over carry two. An AIS-SART (ID starting 970) can be carried instead.
- Testing
- Test briefly with your own X-band radar: you should see rings round the centre of the screen. Keep tests short, as nearby ships see the rings too.
- Switched on by mistake
- Switch it off. Other ships' radars will show it as a distress signal.