Simrad HALO-3 Pulse-Compression Radar 3 ft Array RI-12 20m Cable

The HALO-3 is the original Simrad HALO open-array radar in the 3-foot antenna configuration, a complete kit that includes the pedestal, the antenna, the RI-12 interface module, and a 20-meter power-and-Ethernet cable. It's the radar of choice for owners stepping up from a Halo20+ or Halo24+ dome to a true open-array, and the entry point into the HALO solid-state pulse-compression generation that defined Simrad's modern radar line.

Solid-state pulse compression is the technology that makes the HALO different from older magnetron-and-FMCW radar designs. The HALO combines the long-range detection characteristics of pulsed magnetron radar with the close-in detection and low-power transmission of FMCW broadband radar, in one transmitter that handles both jobs without compromise. The 25-watt solid-state output handles the full 48-nautical-mile true range envelope cleanly, with crisp returns from buoys close-in (around 20 feet minimum range) all the way out to weather cells, big ships, and shoreline returns at the long end.

The pulse-compression architecture also fundamentally changes how the radar handles clutter and target separation. Advanced digital signal processing in the RI-12 interface module wipes out sea clutter and rain attenuation without manual operator tuning, and Beam Sharpening tightens the horizontal beam beyond the antenna's native physical beamwidth so two targets close together at long range show up as two distinct returns. For a 3-foot antenna, the native beamwidth is around 1.8 degrees, with Beam Sharpening pulling it tighter than that under the right conditions.

Dual Range mode is the standard HALO feature that owners notice first. The radar transmits and processes at two different ranges simultaneously, so the chartplotter shows a short-range picture (for collision avoidance in busy waters) and a long-range picture (for weather and traffic awareness) at the same time, both fed from the same pedestal. The dual-range capability is built into the HALO solid-state architecture, you don't need to switch ranges manually to monitor both close and far.

The 3-foot antenna is the sweet spot for cruisers in the 30-to-40 ft range. It fits a typical radar arch without overhang issues, the horizontal beamwidth (about 1.8 degrees) is roughly twice the angular resolution of a 24-inch dome radar, and the swing circle (the diameter of the spinning arc the antenna sweeps) is approximately 3.75 feet (about 1.14 meters). For owners on smaller boats, a Halo dome is the right pick. For larger sportfishers or yachts running 60-nm-plus detection routinely, the 4-foot or 6-foot HALO open array is the upgrade path.

The RI-12 interface module is the heart of the radar's signal processing. It takes power from the boat (12V or 24V DC), generates the higher voltage the pedestal needs, processes the radar returns coming back from the antenna, and sends the processed data to the chartplotter over Ethernet. The RI-12 is the difference between this older-generation HALO and the newer HALO 2000 series, which uses an updated RI-50 module with additional features. The RI-12 is fully supported by current Simrad chartplotter firmware and integrates cleanly with NSS evo3, NSS evo3S, NSO evo2 and evo3, and the broader Simrad ecosystem.

The 20-meter power-and-Ethernet cable handles installations where the RI-12 mounts in a dry interior compartment up to 20 meters of cable run from the radar arch, which covers nearly all recreational installs. For shorter runs, the cable can be left coiled in the install location, no need to truncate.

Operating modes are the standard HALO preset list: Harbour for short-range clutter tuning in marinas, Offshore for long-range detection in open water, Weather for storm-cell tracking, Bird for finding flocks of feeding seabirds and bait fish below them, and Custom for hand-tuned situations. Each preset adjusts gain, sea clutter suppression, rain clutter suppression, and target detection sensitivity automatically.

Power up time is around 30-40 seconds from cold to transmit, with instant-on from standby (16-25 seconds). The pedestal rotates at 24 to 48 RPM depending on operating mode, with 48 RPM at the short-range modes producing near-real-time updates that aid close-in collision avoidance. Brushless motor with electromagnetic braking parks the antenna when the radar is unpowered. The kit is rated for the same harsh marine environment as the rest of the HALO line, IPX6 ingress protection on the pedestal and antenna, with operating temperatures from -25C to +55C.