Basic Marine Electronics & SONAR Technology Clinic

After installing your marine electronics, have you ever dedicated a day on the water solely to dialing them in?
The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo is excited to present a comprehensive, two-hour Marine Electronics and SONAR Technology Clinic led by veteran electronics engineer and sonar expert Jim Wargo. This clinic isn’t tailored to a single species like salmon or walleye, nor does it promote one brand over another. Instead, it focuses on the core principles that empower you to master your gear, eliminate guesswork, and become a more effective angler. Designed for everyone from beginners to tournament veterans, this masterclass covers:

SONAR Fundamentals & Optimization

  • How SONAR Actually Works: Acoustic wave fundamentals made simple
  • Traditional vs. CHIRP: Key differences and when to use each
  • Frequency Selection: Matching low, medium, and high frequencies to water depth and structure
  • Dialing in Key Settings: Frequency, scroll speed, ping rate, gain, noise rejection, and power levels
  • Screen Interpretation: Dissecting arches, bottom hardness, thermoclines, and false returns

    • Imaging & Real-Time Technology
    • Side & Down Imaging: Mechanics, transducer orientation, and interpreting shadows
    • Forward-Facing & Live SONAR: Best practices for Garmin Panoptix/LiveScope and Lowrance ActiveTarget

      • Rigging, Networking & Troubleshooting
      • Transducer Placement & Installation: Avoiding dirty water, turbulent flow, and cavitation
      • Interference Mitigation: Identifying and eliminating electromagnetic (EMI), acoustic, bubble, and multipath interference
      • Clean Power Management: Dedicated wiring, battery selection, and mitigating voltage drops
      • Marine Networking: NMEA 2000 and Ethernet backbones for seamless multi-unit integration

        • Helm Integration & Vessel Safety
        • GPS Charting & Map Options: Choosing layers, contours, and shading for your home waters
        • Autopilot Systems: Integration and practical boat-control strategies while fishing
        • Auxiliary Sensors: Speed, surface temperature, and downrigger/probe units
        • Marine Electronics: VHF, EPIRB, RADAR, Apps for cell phones, and essential onboard safety gear

          • Open Q&A Session

Meet the Speaker

Meet the Speaker

Jim Wargo

For more than 35 years, Jim Wargo has worked at the cutting edge of Radio Frequency (RF) and defense engineering, designing and troubleshooting advanced radar systems for military programs. While defense applications are serious business, the core physics behind modern radar and digital marine sonar are remarkably similar: it is all about sending a clean signal, receiving a faint return, and translating raw data into an accurate picture of what is hidden beneath the surface.

As both an engineer and an avid angler, Jim understands how frustrating it can be to look at a high-end multifunction display and wonder whether the screen shows fish, thermoclines, interference, or electrical noise. His goal in leading the Basic Marine Electronics and SONAR Technology Clinic is to demystify that technology, translating complex RF and acoustic principles into practical, plain-English techniques anyone can use on the water. Beyond screen interpretation, he specializes in proper equipment installation, electrical noise isolation, and interference mitigation-ensuring anglers' units perform at peak potential every time they leave the dock.

Registration Information

Admission to this clinic is free with general admission to the Expo. Seating is limited and will be closed when it reaches capacity to ensure a productive, hands-on learning environment for all. The clinic will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2027.