NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

— A REVIEW— Manufacturers of shipboard electronics equipment continue to improve their products in an effort to make navigation more precise and safer, and to provide easier, faster communications—both on a costeffective basis.

The editors of MR/EN asked the manufacturers and suppliers of marine navigation and communications equipment and services to tell us about their latest products and marketing plans. The following review is based on the information we had received at press time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION If you wish to receive additional information on any of the products described in the review, circle the appropriate reader service number^) listed under each company's name, using the postage-paid card bound into the back of this issue.

ALDEN The first of a new series of Marinefax weather chart recorders was introduced by Alden Electronics, Inc., Westboro, Mass. Designated the Marinefax TR 1, the new recorder features a high-quality thermal printer for crisp, white dry paper recordings and a microprocessor- based programmable memory that lets the operator select not only the time and frequency of desired charts but various transmitters as well. The Marinefax TR 1 will automatically turn itself on, select the desired frequency, select the desired transmitter, receive the chart and turn itself off. This cycle can be programmed to occur for up to 250 on/ off sequences. A scrolling LCD display provides all necessary prompts.

The Marinefax TR 1 also incorporates two unique memory functions.

One function is permanent and is used to store all worldwide radiofax frequencies for easy two-step recall, the other function is used as a local memory to store up to ten frequencies for single-button recall. Any HF frequency in the world may also be manually entered into the receiver.

The Marinefax TR 1 also features a highly stable radio that can be tuned as precisely as 0.1 kHz for optimized reception without fine tuning. This feature makes it easier to program the radio to receive from transmitters using odd frequencies of half a cycle above whole kHz stops.

The Marinefax TR 1 shares all the features, such as compact size and light weight, as previous Marinefax recorders. It operates off 110 and 220 VAC as well as 12, 24, 32 VDC.

Circle 10 on Reader Service Card ATKINSON DYNAMICS Atkinson Dynamics, a division of Guy F. Atkinson Company, offers several industrial intercoms for the marine industry, which deliver clear dependable voice communication under the most severe operating conditions.

Solid-state components enable the intercoms to withstand vibration or rough usage, while cast aluminum cases prevent internal damage to operating components from dirt, corrosive fumes or moisture, as well as allow stations to be installed in unprotected outdoor locations.

Typical installations of Atkinson intercoms include onboard ship— bridge to deck or engine room, control center to diving bell—on offshore oil platforms—and throughout repair yards, drydocks, piers and storage areas.

Atkinson Dynamics intercoms perform well regardless of high ambient noise, weather or temperature extremes. Each unit is self-contained station that receives, amplifies and transmits, making it possible for the intercom systems to include almost any desired number of stations and to extend over very long distances. Installation is simple, since each unit plugs into a nearby AC or DC power source and then is connected by an ordinary low voltage two-wire cable.

Circle 11 on Reader Service Card AT&T AT&T Communications offers the at-sea communications service, "AT&T High Seas Calling." According to the company's slogan, "Out to Sea Doesn't Have to Mean Out of Touch," shipowners and operators can communicate while at sea via a High Seas phone call to clients or associates on shore or vice versa. High Seas Calling offers reliable, quality transmissions and AT&T operator service.

Circle 12 on Reader Service Card FRANK L. BEIER Frank L. Beier Radio, Inc., is the exclusive distributor of the Robertson Multipurpose Pilot RMP, On- Line-Monitor OLM, and the U.C.

Controls Sentinel.

The Robertson Multipurpose Pilot is a single station from which the ship's master can control a vessel under the following operating conditions: vessel maneuvering— three-axis joystick controls vessel position, heading and speed; automatic tracking—input from a navigation system will allow the vessel to track along a predetermined track, with joystick override; remote steering— steer one vessel from another or have the surface vessel follow a sub automatically or manually; and transit—autopilot control.

The On-Line-Monitor is a solid state monitor which provides constant monitoring of insulation values of generators, compressor, pumps, motors and supply cables, in either the running or stand-by mode. As insulation resistance deteriorates due to moisture, cable damage, carbon build-up, etc., an alarm is flashed and sounded.

Secure radio remote control of a barge or rig from a tug or a remote point is available with the U.C. Control Sentinel. The Sentinel is a computer control system which allows the master station to monitor the status and remotely control barge steering, navigation lights, anchor windlass, pumps, motors, compressors, thrusters, generators, ballast control and more.

Circle 45 on Reader Service Card COMSAT MARITIME COMSAT Corporation of Washington, D.C., is celebrating this year the 10th anniversary of the world's first commercial maritime communications satellite system. The first commercial telephone transmission through the company's MARISAT System took place on July 9, 1976.

According to COMSAT Maritime Services officials, the first call passed routinely through the system.

It was a business call between the seismic ship Deep Sea Explorer, searching for oil in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar, and the home office of Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Okla.

The MARISAT System was designed and developed by COMSAT General, a subsidiary of COMSAT Corporation. COMSAT General successfully launched three MARISAT satellites in 1976, one over each ocean region, which allowed cost-effective sharing of satellite telecommunications services for both military and commercial maritime interests.

In the 10 years since the initiation of maritime satellite communications, the system has grown dramatically along with the range of services available. In 1982 the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) was formed, and now 46 countries are members.

More than 4,000 vessels and offshore oil platforms have been equipped with ship earth stations, allowing more than 300,000 people per day to have access to satellite communications on the high seas.

COMSAT Corporation was selected to represent the U.S. in INMARSAT, and currently utilizes and therefore owns 29 percent of the system. COMSAT Maritime Services oversees the company's role in INMARSAT, and has been instrumental in developing and marketing new services for the seafaring community.

It was responsible for the first live television satellite broadcast to a ship at sea when it transmitted the Super Bowl game to the Queen Elizabeth 2 off the coast of Peru early this year.

Circle 14 on Reader Service Card COMSAT TELESYSTEMS COMSAT Telesystems, a COMSAT technology products company, offers the MCS-9100 SatCom, a reliable satellite communications unit which has space age sensors and servos to drive its dome-enclosed antenna.

Below-decks electronics employ VLSI micro-miniaturized circuits on quick-change PC boards.

The MCS-9100 is rugged, passing MIL STD 167 testing, and is INMARSAT type approved.

The MCS-9100, weighing a mere 99 pounds with a 44-inch diameter antenna dome, provides voice, telex, facsimile, medium and high speed data capability. The unit, which stands 58 inches high, can be mated to shipboard and shoresiide computer systems. The below-decks module is the size of a sound system tuner- amplifier.

Circle 15 on Reader Service Card FURUNO With an ever increasing number of vessels now sailing outside convenient loran C coverage, Furuno has introduced the FSN-90, a new satnav receiver with some of the most popular performance features.

The FSN-90, after automatically acquiring the satellite signal, shows position in the lat./long. on a bright green, three-line fluorescent display.

The system will also show date and time, the last 20 fixes and the next 100 satellite forecasts. It alerts the user for a multitude of operating conditions. For example, arrival and cross-track error alarms, satellite acquisition, fix computation, etc.

The FSN-90 will accept manual entry of up to 10 waypoints and computes a wide range of navigational data, including range/bearing on either Great Circle or Rhumb Line course, set and drift, and distance run, as well as range/bearing, course to steer and time to go to any waypoint. The unit is completely self checking and permits easy entry of both speed and magnetic heading.

The FSN-90 has standard interfaces for speed and either gyro or magnetic heading inputs, plus standard outputs to Furuno GD-170 or GD-2000 video plotters or ZR-394 printer. It will also operate as a hybrid navigation system with either the LC-80 or LC-90 loran receivers.

A built-in keep-alive system protects stored data in case of power failure, and the FSN-90 operates from a standard 12 or 24 VDC supply, requiring just 14 watts.

The company also has an extensive line of navigational equipment, including Loran, satnav, and Omega receivers, a variety of paper and video plotters, several ADFs, and completely automatic weatherfax receivers with either 10- or 14-inch paper widths. Furuno also offers both VHF and SSB communications systems.

Circle 16 on Reader Service Card HARRIS Harris Corporation RF Communications Group, a world leader in the design, manufacture, installation, and support of advanced HF/ VHF-FM radio communications equipment, turnkey systems and networks, recently introduced the compact-design RF-755 10 kw HFISB Transmitter for critical long distance communications.

This transmitter is contained in a rack only 32 inches wide, with automatic BIT for surveillance of operational readiness and modular-level diagnostic test to isolate any fault.

The RF-7405 or RF-777 Remote Control Systems may be used, providing remote BIT and operating control. This transmitter may also be housed in a shorter cabinet for shelter installations. When observation of displays is required, but accidental control changes are to be prevented, an optional front closure panel may be installed.

Also available in a 5-kw version (RF-765), this transmitter is adaptable to coastal stations, diplomatic networks, shipborne installations, and shelterized or fixed station networks.

Circle 17 on Reader Service Card HENSCHEL Henschel Corporation of Newburyport, Mass., a unit of General Signal, is a leader in the design, development, and manufacture of ship control and interior communications equipment and systems for both commercial and naval ships.

For more than 60 years, Henschel has supplied reliable equipment meeting the unique demands of the marine environment.

Recognized for decades as expert in synchro and servo engineering, the company is a leader in the development of solid-state instrumentation for shipboard use. Its latest products use the special capabilities of microprocessors to full advantage.

Henschel's products include engine order telegraphs, sound-powered telephone systems, bell loggers, whistle timers, throttle control levers, engineer's alarm panels, shaft speed indicator systems, navigation light panels, fire alarm systems, audible signals, digital master clock systems, and rudder angle systems.

Circle 18 on Reader Service Card HOSE MCCANN The Hose-McCann Telephone Co., Inc., one of the pioneers of sound-powered telephones for marine usage, has expanded their product line to include a variety of U.S.

Navy electrical and mechanical products. The assortment of Hose- McCann products includes the Call Signal Station IC/D, Symbol No.

2988; Sound-Powered Telephone Jack Box G15A/B/C; Sound-Powered Telephone Handset H203/U; Handset Holder Z33A/B; Sound- Powered Head-Chest H200/U and H202/U; Head-Chest Set Stowage Box, Symbol 2924.1 (1 to 6 compartments); Alarm Bells and Buzzers IC/B2S4 (Other types available); and Horns and Sirens IC/H1S4 (Other types available).

All Hose-McCann Navy products are manufactured, tested and qualified in accordance with the latest military specifications.

Circle 19 on Reader Service Card HULL ELECTRONICS The Hull Electronics Company of San Diego, Calif., offers two of the latest SSB telephones available to the marine market. Hull offers the Model 924 and Model 1324 SSB radio telephones which incorporate state-of-the-art electronics, including a special Random Access Memory (RAM) to store individual channels.

The units are designed to provide clear, dependable communications between ships, and from ships to private or public shore stations.

The Model 924 includes a built-in automatic antenna tuner, while the Model 1324 includes a Hull automatic antenna coupler.

Circle 20 on Reader Service Card JAPAN RADIO Japan Radio Company, Ltd., is marketing two new products—the JLR-4000 GPS Navigator and the GSC-80 On-Board Data Automatic Recording System (ODARS).

The GPS NAVSTAR system with timing and ranging is completely new and will eventually use 18 satellites to pinpoint a ship's position and speed anywhere in the world with great accuracy. The system currently uses seven satellites now in orbit, allowing measurement of positions for about three to five hours a day. Twenty-four-hour service will be available in 1987.

The JLR-4000 navigator is said to be one of the most compact and lightweight units in the world, with a unique time-sharing feature. As the GPS navigator receives signals from four satellites to measure a position, four or five receiving channels would normally be required.

However, the time-sharing system developed by JRC permits the receiver to receive the signals from all four satellites on a single channel for instant position fixing. The GPS receiver determines not only latitude, longitude, speed, and bearing— the basic functions—but it can also indicate such navigational data in memory as destination, bearing and distance to destination, required time to it, off-course alarm, etc.

The GSC-80 ODARS has been developed to meet demands for automated data communications through the INMARSAT from ship to shore. It is an automatic data reporting system to collect various types of onboard information and to automatically transmit the newest data to the shipowner's office ashore via the INMARSAT telex link.

The system consists of a multidata interface and a telex channel interface that are connected to an existing or new INMARSAT ship earth station. The GSC-80 can transmit data to shore using three modes—fully automatic, semiautomatic, and manual. The onboard data received at the shore office is analyzed and processed to send a relevant sailing plan back to the ship.

Circle 21 on Reader Service Card KRUPP ATLAS New-generation navaids available from Krupp Atlas Elektronik (KAE), with U.S. operations in Railway, N.J , include the Atlas 7600- 8600 16-inch rasterscan radars, which offer continuous televisiontype viewing under all conditions.

Comprising RM, TM and two ARPA models, all are FCC type- approved and are designed to meet IMO, USCG and other leading specifications.

Over 500 of these radars have already been sold worldwide. U.S.

customers include the New Jerseybased Sealand Company who are to install a series of 7600 X and S-band RM and TM units on new container vessels destined for the Alaskan trade.

Principal features of these advanced radars include a centered TM display mode for maintenance of own ship position fixed on PPI while indicating targets with their true trails; adjustable lengths of target trails may also be generated for rapid orientation to given traffic situations.

A newly developed 12-inch variant of the 7600-8600 series, the Atlas 5600, is also available. Suitable for small ships of any size or class, it is designed to operate over nine ranges extending from 0.3 to 72nm.

Available with either X or S-band transceiver/slotted array antennae, the 5600 can be interswitched for cross-connection as well as masterslave operation.

The 7600-8600 radars also have been adapted for vessel traffic control applications, allowing for transmission of radar data from remote sites to central control. For these uses, KAE has adopted narrow band compression techniques in which signals from the radar transceiver, such as antenna angle pulses, north reference pulse, radar trigger and video, are all reduced to a common signal and then shaped to conform with any standard industrial TV transmission format using coaxial cable, fiber optic systems, twin-wire connections or microwave links of differing frequencies.

The radars also form an integral part of KAE's advanced NACOS 20 modular navigation bridge control system designed for single manning and which is already beginning to attract considerable U.S. interest. A basic configuration comprises an 8600 ARPA and either a 7600 TM or ARPA, an Atlas Dolog 23 doppler log, echo sounder and an adaptive radar-controlled autopilot, or ARCAP, for which the 8600 also provides input and monitoring facilities.

Also included is a full-color navigation information display (NID) console together with interfaces for other sensors and bridge equipment.

Circle 22 on Reader Service Card MAGNAVOX Magnavox is offering the new MX 4400 GPS Positioning and Navigation System, designed as a full-featured two-channel C/A code receiver.

The unit has been designed by Magnavox for use with the current interim GPS constellation and with increasing utility as more satellites are employed.

The two-channel receiver provides continuous GPS navigation, without interruption, whenever sufficient satellites are available. The MX 4400 can navigate with as few as two visible satellites when an external atomic frequency standard is interfaced and altitude is known (sea level) or determined from the receiver's altimeter. This capability extends the number of hours per day that the MX 4400 receiver can be used. To provide navigation during GPS coverage gaps, the MX 4400 will automatically dead reckon using inputs from external speed and heading sensors.

Magnavox plans to introduce software in 1987 to permit the MX 4400 to accept GPS differential corrections in the standard RTCM SC- 104 format. The differential inputs will result in enhanced dynamic accuracy in real time.

In order to provide continuous, optimum navigation and positioning information, the MX 4400 employs an 8-state Kalman filter which evaluates and weighs satellite data.

A 16-bit numerical co-processor provides position, speed and heading updates every 1.2 seconds. The system has the capability of providing GPS data to integrated survey systems such as the Magnavox Series 5000 Geophysical Survey System.

In addition, the Magnavox Advanced Products & Systems Company recently announced the creation of a program for worldwide rentals of its navigation, communication and survey products. NAV-COM Inc., a Magnavox subsidiary, will be the rental agent for the program.

Circle 23 on Reader Service Card MICROLOGIC Micrologic of Chatsworth, Calif., are the manufacturers of the simpleto- use ML-7500 navigation system, which, according to the firm, can be mastered by the average user in just a few hours.

This new Loran has 125 waypoints that can be called by name or number, a 26-point "SAVE" function, a backspace key for easy correction of keyboard inputs, and a submersion-proof case. Standard automatic features include: chain and secondary selection; acquisition of master and up to five secondaries; magnetic variation; ASF (land mass) correction; waypoint sequencing for 99 waypoints; route following for 99 route points; enveloper calibration; and computer memory test.

In addition, the ML-7500 has LL to TD and TD to LL conversion; a yacht racing countdown timer; waypoint arrival, anchor watch, and cross track error alarms; six notch filters; range and bearing to 99 waypoints; cross track error/time-to-go; speed over the bottom/course made good; elapsed distance; and twopoint range and bearing.

Made portable with an optional rechargeable battery pack, the ML- 7500 can also be used on several vessels without permanent installation.

The battery pack powers the unit for five hours of continuous operation.

The basic Loran is six inches wide, six inches high, and three inches deep; weight is approximately four pounds.

Circle 24 on Reader Service Card MOTOROLA Motorola, Inc., offers its new Triton Series of cellular mobile and portable telephones, designed to be sold through a limited number of full-service marine electronics dealers in selected cities.

The new Triton series includes three models, plus a variety of accessories: The Triton 180, a marine cellular mobile telephone that includes a compact, rugged one-piece control unit package which features 32 telephone number memory locations and super-speed memory dialing.

The Triton 480 is a deluxe marine cellular telephone with space-efficient cradle mount, 101 memories, theft alarm, fluorescent display, four call timers, incoming call screening and super-speed memory dialing. The Triton 800 portable cellular telephone, a true hand-held portable unit for the marine market, weighs 30 ounces and provides a full 8 hours of operation, and includes 30 minutes of talk time from one battery.

The Triton series of cellular telephones is qualified under Motorola's Accelerated Life Test (ALT) program. This tests Triton products for extremes of humidity, temperature, vibration and shock.

Motorola is one of the world's leading full service suppliers of cellular systems. More than 65 of the cellular systems in the world's top 90 cities are supplied by Motorola.

Also the company offers one of the industry's broadest lines of cellular mobile and portable telephones.

Circle 25 on Reader Service Card NAV-CONTROL Nav-Control, Inc., a Halesite, N.Y.-based firm, is the U.S. agent for the navigation/instrumentation products manufactured by the Norcontrol Division of A/S Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk in Norway.

One project recently undertaken by Norcontrol Automation is the supply of a comprehensive engine room monitoring and automation system for the Sovereign of the Seas, the world's largest cruise liner currently under construction at Chantiers de l'Atlantique's Alsthom yard in St. Nazaire, France. The automation package will include machine monitoring, fuel-economy monitoring, management of electrical power, stability calculations, ballast control and monitoring of ventilation and fire doors. The automation package, based on Norcontrol's DataChief system for engine room automation, will be delivered to the Alsthom yard in the spring of 1987.

A second vessel reaping the benefits of a Norcontrol integrated automation system is the shuttle tanker Sarita, owned by Ugland Shuttle Tanker & Co. The tanker has sev- eral Norcontrol systems on board including the DataChief-7 engine room monitoring system and alarm package, AutoChief-7 control system for the main engines, and the DataMaster-7 cargo control system.

The independently operated systems have brought substantial benefits in operational efficiency, as well as installation and maintenance cost savings.

Circle 26 on Reader Service Card NAVAL ELECTRONICS The MK-20 omni-directional TV antenna offered by Naval Electronics Inc. of Tampa, Fla., distributors for Naval Electronics A.B. of Sweden, features three separate band elements with interference filters and an internal, changeable, low-noise amplifier utilizing state-of-the-art microwave devices.

The MK-20 feeds a special marine cassette amplifier system with "automatic gain control" to compensate for the changing reception conditions of a ship underway. The cassette amplifiers then feed a ship's distribution system that provides TV antenna outlets throughout the ship in lounges, cabins, and other areas.

Naval can arrange system engineering and installation in all U.S.

ports as well as in more than 50 countries around the world through its marine service network.

Circle 27 on Reader Service Card NEWMAR NEWMAR of Newport Beach, Calif., offers the NAV-222, an automatic digital direction finder for easy and precise navigation. This compact unit utilizes a microprocessor in place of motors or other moving parts, and allows signals to be locked in from either the beacon or broadcast band by a lightweight delta loop antenna mounted permanently on the cabin top or mast.

Two digital LCD displays indicate station frequency to the nearest kHz and relative bearing of the station to the nearest degree. The circular LED display indicates the actual bearing in azimuth to the station.

A rotating azimuth bezel allows relative bearings to be converted to true bearings for simple navigation or homing.

The speaker can be remotely located for maximum audibility, while the processor unit can be tabletop-, overhead-, or bulkhead-mounted.

Circle 28 on Reader Service Card RACAL MARINE Racal Marine is one of the leading marine electronics manufacturers in the world. Companies within the Racal organization (Racal-Decca Marine Navigation Ltd., Racal Megapulse Inc. supported by Racal- Decca Advanced Development Ltd.) offer a wide variety of marine radio navigation systems and their associated equipment, including the Decca Navigator, Loran, Omega, Satnav and GPS systems. The company is heavily involved in the development of new radio navigation and high accuracy systems.

Racal is a leader in the production, design and supply of deepsea marine equipment and systems, such as the MNS 2000 Multisensor Navigation Receiver, Integrated Ship Instrumentation System (ISIS) and the type-approved line of color radars, the 2070 and 2090.

Additionally, the company has introduced a range of Integrated Ship Electronic Systems (ISES), through Racal Marine Systems Ltd., which provide significant benefits for onboard ship management.

For the fishing and coastal marine industry, Racal offers a full range of radars, navigation receivers, video plotters, autopilots, gyros, sounders and sonars. The company is also a major supplier of naval radars worldwide.

Furthermore, Racal Simulation Ltd., designs, develops and manufactures advanced training systems and simulators, which include ship bridge and marine radar navigation aid simulators for both civilian and military use.

RADIO-HOLLAND The Distributor Products Division of Radio-Holland USA of Houston, exclusive distributor in North America for Thrane & Thrane A/S of Denmark, is said to be the first radiotelex manufacturer to offer equipment with the newly passed CCIR Recommendation 625.

All Thrane & Thrane standard and double-speed Automatic Telex Over Radio (ATOR) modems will be delivered with a new software package containing not only its high-performance, user-oriented feature package, but also the new CCIR Recommendation 625.

To fully utilize all the benefits that this new recommendation has to offer, automatic coast station systems delivered by Thrane & Thrane will also be upgraded to CCIR Recommendation 625, including Singapore Radio, Hong Kong Radio, Lyngby Radio, Scheveningen Radio, Bern Radio, and WLO Radio in Mobile, Ala.

Of equal importance, the new recommendation programs will be supplied as an upgrading kit for all earlier- delivered TT-1585 series of ATOR modems (more than 2,800 installed), including the very first versions delivered some four years ago.

CCIR Rec. 625 includes nine-digit call codes in accordance with the future requirements of a common call code for all maritime communications systems, and a completely new scheme for exchange of station identification during initial calls and during rephasing procedures, preventing the annoying problems of a third station rephasing into an existing communications connection and possibly receiving the rest of the message.

The 256 kbyte memory ATOR modems will interface with virtually any teleprinter, or supplied free of charge is the copyrighted XCOM program enabling both full control and operations of the modem from DOS-compatible computers, as well as free file transfer between the modem memory and the computer disk system. And for the discriminating user, a high-security telex cipher feature, provides total security against those eavesdropping on the radio circuits.

Circle 29 on Reader Service Card RAYTHEON MARINE The Raytheon Marine Company, Manchester, N.H., offers two stateof- the-art low-cost rasterscan radars, the 3604 and 3610 radars. The units, with maximum ranges of 36 and 64 nautical miles, can not only be used by workboat operators, but also as back-up units for oceangoing vessels.

Using digital rasterscan technology, with high-resolution (512 lines), 12-inch-diagonal TV type displays, the new radars provide sharp, continuous 360-degree pictures that are easy to read from a distance. Standard features include electronic bearing line, variable range marker, SeaGuard intrusion alarm, interfer- ence rejection, selectable target expander, and on-screen tuning.

In addition to the rasterscan radars, of major importance is Raytheon's introduction of a DSL-150 doppler speed log that helps workboat and ship operators meet IMO requirements. The highly accurate DSL-150 interfaces with radar, ARPA, satellite navigators, and other equipment, and has a wide range of interfacing remote displays. The display has a three-digit, red LED readout indicating speed from zero to 30 knots in X0-knot increments.

Distance run is indicated by a sixdigit counter, with manual reset on the front panel.

A commercial, chart-recording echo sounder, the RD-500 sounder, records and prints depth in six ranges to 1,000 feet, meters, or fathoms, and prints time and event marks on the chart. Digital depth display and presettable, audible depth alarm are provided. An 80- kHz transducer is standard.

Other products from Raytheon include: the RAYFAX-500 weather facsimile receiver/recorder; RAYSAT- 200 satellite navigator; RAYNAV- 750 MK II Loran C navigator; and the RAY-1285 SSB marine radiotelephone.

Furthermore, Raytheon Marine has signed a comprehensive distribution agreement with Yokogawa Hokushin Electric Corporation of Japan, which will enhance Raytheon's capability to offer complete bridge systems that interface with Raytheon navigation and communication equipment.

Circle 30 on Reader Service Card RAYTHEON SERVICE The Marine Department of Raytheon Service Company (RSC), headquartered in Glen Burnie, Md., provides sales, installation, service, and maintenance for a wide variety of marine navigational and communications equipment and systems, including radars, Fathometers, satellite communications, SOLAS radio stations, syro/steering systems, and fuel management systems.

In addition to the head office, RSC operates at eight other locations around the country, in Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the New York/New Jersey area. The company maintains a million-dollar inventory of spare parts.

Circle 31 on Reader Service Card RDI RDI Radar Devices, Inc. of San Leandro, Calif., a leading manufacturer of guard zone warning equipment, offers several navigation and communications products. These include the RDI ARPA I, M10 Collision Avoidance System, Star* Trac Satellite Navigator, and Satcom I Inmarsat Satellite Communications System.

For shipowners having to comply with the mandatory International Maritime Organization (IMO) ARPA fitting, the RDI ARPA I, M10 represents an economical solution.

A shipowner may fit an RDI ARPA I to a 12-inch radar and comply with the spirit of IMO regulations until January 1, 1991.

In 1982, the U.S. Coast Guard permitted an add-on ARPA solution for existing 12-inch radars. These ARPA I/12-inch radar combinations may be retained until 1991 when the IMO ARPA specifications take full effect.

The Star* Trac satellite navigator, a commercial satnav at a competitive price, offers 64 navigation displays plus log/gyro interface.

The new RDI Satcom I features a self-prompting keyboard to make operations simple. Designed for use with Inmarsat, the unit can be interfaced with the Star* Trac satnav to provide an automatic vessel monitoring system.

Circle 32 on Reader Service Card ROBERTSON-SHIPMATE As another element of safety of vessels at sea, all ships of more than 300 grt must be equipped with one of the relatively new Navtex receivers by February 1, 1990. Navtex is a 24-hour warning system that transmits a broad range of navigational and weather information relevant for all types and sizes of ships.

In the U.S., Navtex coverage already exists in New England and the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard expects to have national coverage in place by the end of 1989.

In keeping with these new developments, Robertson-Shipmate is offering a new and advanced Navtex receiver.

The RS-6100 Navtex receiver from Shipmate has only four control keys to insure simple, reliable operation.

All additional functions are performed via a printed menu that describes required operator responses.

It provides the full range of weather and safety information automatically with free choice of transmitter stations.

The RS-6100 consumes very little power, having an economy function in which it only uses 1W. When connected with one of Shipmate's navigation receivers, for example RS- 4000, RS-5000 Sat Nav, or RS-5100 Sat Nav, the RS-6100 serves as a printer and prints out information from the navigator's display or satellite predictions from the satellite navigators. The printer will also interface with any other NMEA compatible navigation receiver.

There are three versions of the RS-6100 series: RS-6100 Automatic where area selection is automatic when connected to a navigation receiver; RS-6101 Basic where area selection is carried out manually; RS-6150 is a printer only which can be connected to navigators, computers, or other equipment requiring a print-out.

Other features include built-in audible and visual alarm, end-ofpaper alarm, along with an easy touch keyboard with light and dimmer and a 40-character thermal printer with 131-foot paper capacity.

Robertson-Shipmate is also offering the RS-2000 color track plotter, which the company claims, provides virtually unlimited navigation flexibility.

The RS-2000 is not only a color track plotter, but also an electronic charting system that shows prerecorded charts for many of the most popular fishing and coastal areas.

The seven-color display enables users to freely choose any colors to mark tracks, reefs, rocks, etc. This particular feature permits the user to develop his own private "color language" on the screen. It also helps to prevent navigational accidents.

Charts are stored permanently on cassette tapes, allowing for easy exchange of maps and charts between users. Charts can also be drawn up before a voyage and new information can be added as needed and then stored for future use.

Circle 33 on Reader Service Card SAIT SAIT, Inc. is offering the new SAIT XH 5112 Radio Telex System, which is fully compatible with the 1MB PC or IBM compatible computers.

Utilizing Crosstalk® software, the PC interface consists of one additional printed circuit board with external ports. The system memory is expanded from the standard supplied 32 K to 64 K.

With this feature, a computer in an office can link directly with another computer onboard a ship via two XH 5112 radio telex modems, one at the sending and one at the receiving end. Alternately, communication can also be accomplished via a coast radio station with radio telex capability, for example, WCC or WLO. This capability was previously available via the Inmarsat system with equipment cost in the range of $35,000. The same technology is available with the SAIT XH 5112 Radio Telex at a substantially lower price.

Circle 34 on Reader Service Card SHIP ANALYTICS Ship Analytics of North Stonington, Conn., is in the second year of a three-year U.S. Navy contract in which the company provides training for senior officers at the Maritime Training and Research Center (MTRC) in Toledo, Ohio.

For seven weeks each year, Navy personnel will take part in a comprehensive, scientifically structured training program developed to enhance shiphandling skills on the $6- million simulator that was designed, built, and operated for the MRTC (MEBA/AM, District 2) by Ship Analytics.

Through courses specifically tailored by the firm to meet Navy requirements, Naval personnel will train on bridge and radar simulators, with computer-assisted classroom sessions. These sessions allow trainees to observe and analyze the progress of others, while examining alternative approaches to maneuvering their vessel, under a variety of environmental conditions.

Ship Analytics is a world leader in the design of real-time computer graphics software. It provides major systems in technologies ranging from marine simulation to military tactics. It also markets a variety of graphics presentation software to business.

Circle 35 on Reader Service Card SIEMENS Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., Power Engineering Marketing Division, is offering several new cost effective methods of ship control which concentrate control on the bridge and reduce the size of crew required to operate a vessel.

One development from Siemens is the SINEC HI industrial bus, which serves to link the automation systems of a vessel to each other and with a combined central control station/ bridge control center in such a way that the systems remain unaffected by a fault in another system.

For central operation and monitoring tasks, the SIGOS 41 (Siemens Graphic Operating and Supervising System) is tied into the industrial bus. Up to eight video display terminals with color graphics capability can function in multi-terminal operation.

All monitoring, open and closedloop control systems are configured autonomously and have their own operation and monitoring possibilities.

The bus system and linked units insure: simple monitoring, operation and control; flexible adjustment to changing conditions; high system availability; continuation of automatic operation, even if central control system fails; and continuation of automatic operation, even if a bus fault occurs.

Circle 36 on Reader Service Card SIMRAD Simrad, Inc., a leading manufacturer of a complete line of marine electronics, navigation, instruments and systems for the commercial, offshore, fishing and naval industries, is offering the Simrad/Taiyo synthesized MF/HF CRT automatic direction finder, Model TD-C338HS.

The automatic direction finder is a synthesized, triple-superheterodyne receiving system, with no spot crystals required. The unit features a wide frequency reception for direction finding, 200 kHz to 17,999.9 kHz, with an LED display of frequencies in 0.1 kHz steps. Other features of the automatic direction finder include: 100 channel memory capability with scanning; automatic sense determination without separate antenna; built-in goniometer; an LED level/distance indication meter; and an optional gyrocompass interface unit.

Circle 37 on Reader Service Card SI-TEX Marine navigation data obtained by a conventional radar system can be displayed in six different colors on the CRM-1 color radar monitor from SI-TEX of Clearwater, Fla.

The 360-degree presentation is continuous and never fades from view, and the color CRT allows exceptional daylight viewing, even without a hood.

The CRM-1 unit connects to most conventional radar systems, and converts system data into a six-color display depending on the strength of the returning echo. The strongest echoes are displayed in red, medium echoes are yellow, weak signals come in green, and the sea surface is displayed as blue. The variable bearing marker is displayed as a white dotted line, and the variable range marker appears as a white dotted circle. The plot line is black.

The plotting feature helps the operator determine relative bearing, course direction, and speed of moving targets around his vessel. Plotting time can be selected as 15 seconds (fast) or one minute (slow).

Range capability is from one-half to 64 nautical miles, depending on the capability of the master radar.

The CRM-1 can be interfaced with most conventional radars, and can operate up to 50 feet away from the master radar.

An audible proximity alarm warns of a target's entry into a guard zone established by the operator.

Five zones can be selected: full 360-degree radius, 180-degree on the bow, 90-degree on the bow, 180- degree on the port, and 180-degree on the starboard. Distance of range gates can be from one-half to 64 nautical miles from the vessel.

Circle 38 on Reader Service Card SPERRY Sperry Corporation, a major manufacturer of marine navigation and control systems, and a leader in the field of radar and collision-avoidance systems, offers the Sperry GPS Core Module that the company has designed and manufactured specifically for the marine market, The Sperry GPS Core Module is a single-channel, C/A Code, sequenced receiver, with position calculation accuracy to 30M. Latitude, longitude and GMT are available every two seconds on either of two RS232 Ports.

The Core Module can be directly connected to Sperry Satnav's or Sperry PCs (or IBM compatible).

Optional interfaces range from simple navigators to integrated systems.

Owners of one of the following satellite navigators will be interested to know that Sperry can upgrade your existing set to a full Global Positioning System receiver: S p e r r y 501TR/GPS; Sperry SRN501; Sperry ESZ4000; and SAL4000.

The Sperry GPS Core Module enables the reception and navigation computations from both the Transit and GPS satellites to be displayed on your existing system display.

During the transition from Transit to GPS, the 501 TR./GPS will automatically select the best fix source and continue to provide you with total navigation data with no need for time-consuming switching or input coding. In GPS mode, the 501's format will provide continuous course readout and bottom speed at any depth.

Circle 39 on Reader Service Card SP RADIO S.P. Radio A/S of Aalborg, Denmark, offers the Sailor SSB highpower short wave program 1000/B radiotelephone with an aerial coupler.

The Sailor Program 1000/B is able to meet all maritime and pointto- point communication requirements within the maritime bands 1.6 to 28 MHz, and other frequent requirements in the frequency range of 1.6 to 28 MHz when the exciter is equipped with a continuous coverage option. The radiotelephone offers assured radio communication by telex as well as telephone over long distances.

In addition, a transmitter is provided with an aerial coupler AT1500, which is completely weather- resistant, making it suitable for installation in arctic or tropic environments.

The receiver and transmitter with the aerial coupler and the telex modem Sailor HI240 form a very effective radiotelex station. Combined with the Sailor R1121 scanning receiver, it becomes a fully automatic radiotelex station. The system works in an ARQ mode on one aerial.

Furthermore, the new transmitter and receiver are fast enough to have a telex connection on one frequency (Simplex) in the ARQ mode.

The unique principle of transmitter, aerial coupler and power supplies ensure a high degree of reliability, and that high transmitting power is kept even under severe conditions.

The Sailor 1000/B has separate receiver and transmitter units (full Duplex) and transmitting power high enough for worldwide communication.

Circle 48 on Reader Service Card SPT LTD.

SPT Ltd., with full sales and service facilities in Houston, Texas, offers an extensive line of sound powered telephones and accessories for offshore, marine and land-based use.

SPT sound powered telephones operate independently of a power supply or batteries. The units are, in fact, powered by the user's voice, making communication simple, low cost and maintenance free. The sound powered telephones meet fail-safe communications requirements, as well as isolated site, intrinsically safe and portable communications requirements.

SPT Ltd. also offers a variety of quality broadcast and general entertainment products for the marine market such as radio receivers, cassette players and power amplifiers in rack systems or as separate components.

Circle 40 on Reader Service Card STANDARD Standard Communications Corporation of Los Angeles, Calif., recently introduced the Horizon HX220S Portable Hand-Held Phone.

The Horizon HX220S features a large easy-to-read LCD display with a light for night viewing. The unit, which uses just 6 watts, has superior waterproofing with fewer push buttons to insure water integrity. The HX220S also has instant access to Channel 16 as well as expansion channels in the microprocessor with rapid up/down channel selection and a user programmable scanner.

Standard Communications offers a full line of marine radios, marine hand-held radios, Horizon marine instruments and HRO Systems Reverse Osmosis Desalinators.

Circle 254 on Reader Service Card STANDARD RADIO Standard Radio & Telefon AB of Vallingby, Sweden, offers the PNW900 Navtex receiver. This Navtex receiver has dual channels for national and international transmissions.

All ships over 300 gross tons must be equipped with a new Navtex receiver by February 1, 1990. The Navtex system, which has coverage in the U.S. ranging from the New England area to the Gulf of Mexico, transmits 24-hour warnings of navigational and weather conditions.

The Coast Guard expects that total U.S. coverage will be provided by the Navtex system by late 1989.

Circle 49 on Reader Service Card TELEDYNE Teledyne Hastings-Raydist, Hampton, Va., manufacturer of medium- range, precision radiopositioning systems, has introduced the TRAK IV system.

Raydist TRAK IV is an improved version of the well-known Raydist DRS radiopositioning system utilizing "atomic clock" frequency standards and state-of-the-art technology to achieve practically unlimited user capability in the rho/rho mode on a single frequency allocation anywhere in the MF/HF band.

The new unit is particularly well suited to radiopositioning applications in which a relatively large number of simultaneous users must operate at ranges up to several hundred kilometers with a geodetic accuracy of a few meters. The rho/ rho (circular) geometry makes the TRAK IV ideal for coastal applications, regardless of whether the coastline is concave, straight, or even convex. The comparatively broad lane widths (typically 100 meters or more) make lane recovery much easier than with other phase comparison systems.

The ability to track up to four LOPs continuously and simultaneously greatly increases system reliability.

When used with the Raydist Director (microcomputer), interchecking is permitted between the redundant position data to achieve a statistically desired "bestfit" position solution and a "figure of merit" indication of probable accuracy.

The Raydist Director also permits op-area initialization so that the correct fractional values of the several LOPs can be established and/or verified in the actual area of operations.

Circle 42 on Reader Service Card TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Texas Instruments has introduced a new relative-positioning software package, Geomark, designed to process data collected by the TI-4000 Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigators.

The Geomark software for GPS provides highly accurate postprocessing positioning information from data collected by two TI-4100 GPS Navigators simultaneously tracking the same four GPS satellites.

The TI-4100 is a satellite-based navigation system that provides precise absolute positioning or relative point-positioning surveys, including aerial surveys, offshore platform positioning, marine navigation and oceanographic and geophysical surveys.

The Geomark software provides typical solutions in less than one hour of off-line processing using as little as 30 minutes of collected data, including data cassette translation.

Geomark offers totally automatic operation. Users may enter custom specifications by overriding the automatic defaults. Users can also specify the reference location or derive the location using the TI- 4100. Geomark processes both Precise Code (P-Code) or Coarse/Acquisition (C/A Code). The software uses broadcast ephemeris, but can also support post-mission precise ephemeris.

Geomark records all necessary data on a one-page report that provides the user with the monumentto- monument baseline vector. The system can provide the answer in standard latitude, longitude, altitude; state plane; UTM; or local datum.

The complete TI-4100/Geomark package is available now and includes Geomark and MS-DOS™ software. The package also includes the TI Portable Professional Computer with 256K bytes RAM, a multifunction board with an additional 256K RAM, a single floppy diskette drive, a 10-megabyte Winchester hard disk drive, an 8087 coprocessor, three-plane graphics board, a built-in high-resolution 9-inch color monitor, two Memtec cassette readers, two RS-232 cables, and the TI 855 microprinter.

Circle 43 on Reader Service Card TRACOR INSTRUMENTS Tracor Instruments of Austin, Texas, offers the new Tracor Sat- Nav II, a fully automatic microprocessor- based system. The Satellite Navigator II is a third generation of satellite navigation receivers manufactured by Tracor. Along with their Omega systems, it represents worldwide navigation experience and capabilities dating back to 1967.

The SatNav II is fully automatic, providing continuous navigation information, updated by periodic satellite passes. Once initialized, the receiver continues to compute all essential navigation data, which is always available to the navigator.

Some of the special features of the SatNav II include: a large uncluttered display; multipass discrimination; continuous display of lat/lon; minimal power requirements (1.6 amps at 12V DC); automatic dead reckoning between fixes, using input from the ship's gyro and speed log, or manual entries; and internal battery backup.

Another product from Tracor is the Automatic Omega II, a fully automatic, microprocessor-based system which provides continuous navigation information from the worldwide Omega station network.

The Automatic Omega II presents navigation data on a large uncluttered display. Reliability safeguards for each unit such as ceramic components, a 250-hour burn-in with four temperature cyclings, built-in test equipment, oscillator warning and a dead reckoning indicator are included at no extra cost.

Other Tracor navigation products include the Bridgestar satellite navigator, the Omega Navigator and the Transtar satellite navigator.

Circle 44 on Reader Service Card TRACOR MARCON Tracor Marcon, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tracor Inc., Austin, Texas, engineers and manufactures shipboard monitoring, alarm and control systems.

Tracor Marcon offers several outstanding monitoring systems including: the PMS 6000 shipboard performance monitoring system; CS 5000 shipboard automated machinery remote-control system; TMS 100 engine temperature monitoring system; and PMS II shipboard monitoring system.

The PMS 6000 is an integrated system providing remote instrumentation display, constant alarm monitoring, event recording and data logging.

The system consists of analog, rate and switch sensors which feed data to nearby collectors mounted in the machinery spaces. These data collectors pre-process the information and transmit it via a single cable to a main processor which can receive and process information from up to eight remote units. The processed data is then displayed in page format on video (CRT) displays and can be printed, with additional capability for recording on tape cartridges.

The CS 5000 is an integral remote control system providing remote start/stop capability for vessels main engine(s), generator(s), steering systems, and emergency pumps, from both the wheelhouse and engineer's main control station. CS 5000 is designed for use with either the PMS II or PMS 6000. The control system consists of a single central processing unit designed for engine room mounting.

The TMS 1000 is an integral microprocessor-based system providing simultaneous display of an engine's individual cylinder temperatures, with input capacity to accept twin engines of up to 20 cylinders each, plus stack temperatures.

The PMS II shipboard performance monitoring system offered by Tracor Marcon provides remote instrumentation display and constant alarm monitoring utilizing up to 168 separate inputs. Event recording and data printing capabilities are also available.

Circle 46 on Reader Service Card WATERCOM Waterway Communications System, Inc., Jeffersonville, Ind., has formed a new communications net work to provide voice and customized data services between inland river towboats and their central offices.

Full service was instituted in mid-1986.

The WATERCOM System, through a series of 54 shore stations, provides continuous coverage of approximately 4,000 miles of inland waterways. It serves the Mississippi River from south of New Orleans to Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Illinois River from the Mississippi to Chicago, and the Ohio River from Cairo to Pittsburgh. On the Gulf Intracoastal waterway, coverage extends from Apalachicola, Fla., to Brownsville, Texas, with incidental coverage on the Gulf of Mexico.

WATERCOM provides service comparable in quality to that of the National Telephone Network, and in fact connects to NTN lines just like any other telephone network.

The WATERCOM system consists of three major components: vessel telephones, shore stations and the Operations and Control Center in Jeffersonville. Vessel telephones consists of a radio transmitter and receiver, a microprocessorbased phone control unit, and the main telephone handset. An optional extension phone may be added to provide credit card calls from facilities in the crew's quarters.

Each of the 54 shore stations serves compatible equipped vessels within its operating range, providing continuous telephone service.

Each station is interconnected with the local area central control office, from which incoming and outgoing calls are routed to and from the vessel.

The Operations Control Center is the heart of the WATERCOM system.

It provides the principal automatic switching and routing functions for all long-distance calls entering the system.

Circle 51 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 54,  Dec 1986

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.