Shipboard measurements of the modulation characteristics of 3.2 cm radar signals scattered by the sea surface

The results of shipboard measurements of the modulation characteristics of 3.2 cm radar signals scattered by a rough sea surface at low grazing angles are reported. The experiments were carried out from on-board a drifting research vessel in the Atlantic trade wind zone at wind speeds of 7–10 m s⁻¹ and coinciding directions of the wind and waves. Azimuthal isotropy of the modulation spectra was observed. It is emphasized that the ‘sea surface-scattered signal’ modified modulation transfer function is somewhat larger for horizontal polarization than for vertical polarization. Translated by V. Puchkin.