In article t,
Hilton wrote:
Orval Fairbairn wrote:
There is another factor not mentioned here. About 10 years ago, a friend
did some radar surveying for San Jose and found a radar hole in the
vicinity of South County, up to about 3000 ft. It is possible that the
pilot, thinking he would have instantaneous radar, took off, attempted
to raise SJC Approach and maintained heading right into the hills.

I have flown in that area MANY times (I fly out of RHV) and never heard of
that radar hole, I've also never heard ATC even mention it to me or anyone
else. Do you have any additional information on it? have they 'plugged the
hole' by now?

Climbing out of South County, Norcal usually can't pick me up on
radar until Morgan Hill or so. Overflying South County I've had
no trouble being seen on radar at 3000ft and above. I haven't
flown out of South County in awhile, so my data point is probably
a few years old.

It would be interesting to know where the radar transmitters are
in the area. If the radar transmitters covering South County are at
SJC and MRY, they would have a hard time seeing traffic down low
near South County.

John
--
John Clear - http://www.clear-prop.org/