HF Radar

HF RADAR deployed in Dubai is a network of two SeaSonde radial sites and one SeaSonde combining station to produce surface current maps between Port Rashid and Umm Suqeim. The HF-RADAR system operates on the mechanism of Bragg scattering of the electromagnetic radiation over a rough sea. This mechanism is based on the property that an electromagnetic wave at a given frequency scatters on the ocean waves of exactly half the wavelength. For the HF-Radars this means that a 7 m wave (corresponding to a 43.75 MHz transmitting frequency) is backscattered from the 3.6 m sea surface waves. The SeaSonde radars deployed in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are operating at 43.75 megahertz and have a range between 15 and 20km. The surface current data are obtained at a spatial resolution of about 215m from shoreline to offshore water depths down to 15-20m and are available every 30 minutes. The system is also capable of measuring wave period, wave height, wave direction and wind speed every 10 minutes.

It should be noted that this unique technique will contribute significantly to the understanding of the physical processes associated with the impact of waves and currents on the natural changes along the coastline.