Narrative:

Sav radar/ARTS was the problem. Upon assuming the sector; an abnormal amount of data block coasting and 'stitching' was detected and reported to the controller in charge; then the flm. I requested to confirm that we were on the mode south system as the amount of coasting and stitching was indicative that mode south had failed. The mode south monitor indicated green on ch a mode south; so flm was satisfied that all was well; but as the cpc/fpl tasked with separation aircraft; I did not have the tools to safely do so. I had to coordinate arrivals and over flights from ZJX sector; taking radar contact on those I could see primary radar returns in conjunction with their data blocks; but leave them on ZJX tags so the ZJX computer system could track them automatically. I was unable to track that many primary targets on my own; but this practice is unfair to the ZJX sector when it is the sav ARTS system that is the problem. After I continually reported that the current situation was unsafe; the controller in charge concurred and directed the flm to contact tech ops. I requested the controller in charge to please change the mode south from ch a to ch B in an attempt to reboot the mode south; which regardless of the TRACON mode south monitor; was not operating in the digital mode south. After completing the change over and a few minutes of the ch B digital data entering the sav arts system all data blocks began to track successfully. This confirmed what was suspected that the mode south display monitor is not correctly displaying the mode south status for the TRACON team. Request a replacement system for the current sav ARTS. The current ASR-8 is satisfactory and with the addition of mode south; the presentation can be acceptable. Without mode south; it is unacceptable and an unsafe product which impedes our ability to provide basic services to our users. As a quick fix to upgrading the whole ARTS system; we need some way to know for sure if mode south is or is not operating; the current display/monitor is not. Sav needs the next generation of displays and what ever is going to replace the antiquated ARTS system; and we need it as soon as possible! We have a good ASR 8; which already has a digitizer on both the secondary and primary portions and those signals also go through the mode south digitizer which runs to the sav base building; where it is dumbed down to an analog signal to go through our equipment. Any accident caused by this antiquated equipment in such complex airspace as we have here would greatly harm the FAA and our credibility.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SAV Controller voiced concern regarding RADAR/ARTS Mode S problems; describing a recent event and suggesting the replacement of some of the subject equipment. Reporter suggests improved trouble shooting and technical support.

Narrative: SAV RADAR/ARTS was the problem. Upon assuming the sector; an abnormal amount of Data Block coasting and 'stitching' was detected and reported to the CIC; then the FLM. I requested to confirm that we were on the Mode S system as the amount of coasting and stitching was indicative that Mode S had failed. The Mode S monitor indicated green on Ch A Mode S; so FLM was satisfied that all was well; but as the CPC/FPL tasked with separation aircraft; I did not have the tools to safely do so. I had to coordinate arrivals and over flights from ZJX Sector; taking RADAR contact on those I could see primary RADAR returns in conjunction with their Data Blocks; but leave them on ZJX tags so the ZJX computer system could track them automatically. I was unable to track that many primary targets on my own; but this practice is unfair to the ZJX Sector when it is the SAV ARTS system that is the problem. After I continually reported that the current situation was unsafe; the CIC concurred and directed the FLM to contact Tech Ops. I requested the CIC to please change the Mode S from Ch A to Ch B in an attempt to reboot the Mode S; which regardless of the TRACON Mode S monitor; was not operating in the digital Mode S. After completing the change over and a few minutes of the Ch B digital data entering the SAV Arts system all Data Blocks began to track successfully. This confirmed what was suspected that the Mode S display monitor is not correctly displaying the Mode S status for the TRACON team. Request a replacement system for the current SAV ARTS. The current ASR-8 is satisfactory and with the addition of Mode S; the presentation can be acceptable. Without Mode S; it is unacceptable and an unsafe product which impedes our ability to provide basic services to our users. As a quick fix to upgrading the whole ARTS system; we need some way to know for sure if Mode S is or is NOT operating; the current display/monitor is not. SAV needs the next generation of displays and what ever is going to replace the antiquated ARTS system; and we need it ASAP! We have a good ASR 8; which already has a digitizer on both the secondary and primary portions and those signals also go through the Mode S digitizer which runs to the SAV base building; where it is dumbed down to an analog signal to go through our equipment. Any accident caused by this antiquated equipment in such complex airspace as we have here would greatly harm the FAA and our credibility.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.