What is the effect called when the pointing of the radar antenna affects reading accuracy?

The situation described, where the angle at which the radar antenna is pointed affects the accuracy of speed readings, is referred to as the panning effect. This occurs when the radar unit is not properly aligned with the target vehicle, potentially causing the recorded speed to be inaccurate due to the angle of reflection of the radar waves.

If the radar antenna is angled away from the direction of the vehicle's movement or if the antenna is swept across the target incorrectly, this can lead to underestimations or overestimations of speed. For instance, if the antenna is pointed too far to the side of the direction of travel, it may not capture the true speed, leading to erroneous readings.

Understanding the panning effect is crucial for speed measurement professionals, as ensuring proper alignment and positioning of the radar is vital to obtaining accurate speed determinations. Other options such as sweep error and scanning effect pertain to different radar anomalies or measurement techniques but do not specifically address the angle of the radar antenna in relation to the target's movement.