Typically, there are two sets of radar parameters per system; one longer range for target tracking, and one for missile lock on or target acquisition that guides the missile to the target. All radars can be detected the catch is that some AD systems have "wartime only" frequencies that are unknown to opposing RWR systems.

[ I thought that TVM systems like Patriot (and SA-10)could track targets without giving themselves away to RWRs. You would only get a spike in the pit once the missle went terminal and then....BOOM....its too late. What am I confusing here ] Don't believe all the hype from either Raytheon or the Rooskies. TVM? Track via Missile, or what is that supposed to mean? "TVM has nothiong to do with search and initial detection of a target.

True story on the event, been confirmed

When patriot is in the passive mode it only receives tracking info from third party links( AWACS for example) during active it scans at random places in the sky( if you have ever seen a patriot radar up close you will notice the array consists of hundreds of antennae, each seperate from the other.) when the radar " aquires a target" more than one of these antennae are dedicated to that target, but they are not constantly illuminating the target. the fire control center estimates the speed and trajectory of the target and " reaquires " at intermittant times to constantly update the flight data. The only time a patriot radar constantly illuminates a target is in the case of a TBM threat or; when at the end of a patriot missle's flight , the seeker head cannot " see" the target.If the f-16 was warned of a missile radar lock it must have been very sensitive to an intermittant radar illumination.