ANTENNA BLIND CONE

The volume of space, usually approximately conical with its vertex at the antenna , that cannot be scanned by an antenna because of limitations of the antenna radiation pattern and mount. Note: An example of an antenna blind cone is that of an air route surveillance radar (ARSR). The horizontal radiation pattern of an ARSR antenna is very narrow. The vertical radiation pattern is fan-shaped, reaching approximately 70° of elevation above the horizontal plane. As the antenna is rotated about a vertical axis, it can illuminate targets only if they are 70° or less from the horizontal plane. Above that elevation, they are in the antenna blind cone. Synonym cone of silence.