Communications. Communications. DockSide Radio. DockSide Radio. Gary Jensen

Transcription

1 Gary Jensen DockSide Radio Cell phone Ubiquitous Everybody s got one Good for one-on-one voice communications Narrow-cast device - Lousy for: Coordinating a group Yelling for help OK for ICW, so-so for near-shore (line of sight ~ Miles max), no good off shore. Broad Band Service Internet and access. 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 1 Cellular, VHF, SSB, Licensing, VHF Broadcast device - Use it for safety! USCG Rescue 21 System is operational in Gulf of Mexico, FL, GA, SC USCG monitors Ch-16 & DSC Ch-70 Incorporates improved direction-finding equipment Auto-triangulate position based transmitting voice on Ch 16 Actual Lat/Lon when making a DSC transmission Enhanced signal clarity DSP (Digital Signal Processing) Simultaneous channel monitoring (5ch) Upgraded distress call recording & playback DSP filters to subtract interfering signals and noise Source: USCG Rescue 21 System 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 3 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 4 Coordination with other boats Over-taking/passing Declare your intention I ll pass on your port side Crossing Coordinate - I ll cross your stern USCG Instantaneous bearing/position data They know where you are in real time Line of Sight Distance (miles) to horizon 1.17 x sqr. root antenna height. Mast-mounted 60-foot antenna sees 9 miles Two vessels w/60-foot antennas can communicate over a distance of Miles (2.5-3-hours travel under sail). Masthead antenna good when underway Long range communications. Not-so-great when anchored Mostly interested in short-range close-in communications High-level antenna collects lots of unnecessary chatter. Two antennas & an antenna switch High-level/masthead antenna for distance. Low-level/rail-mounted antenna for close-in communications. AIS receiver connects to high-level antenna. 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 5 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 6

2 Automatic Identification System AIS provides a means for ships to electronically exchange ship data including: identification, position, course, speed, etc. with other nearby ships and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) stations. SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and (IMO International Maritime Organization) require that all passenger ships and all vessels 300 gross tons be fitted with AIS transponder. Received data sent to chart plotter or PC-based navigation software AIS data overlaid onto chart display Affordable ($400 - $600) AIS receivers available Shares existing VHF antenna Automatic Identification System 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 7 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 8 SSB / HF (High Frequency) Radio - Broadcast Long distance World-wide communications Operates in the 3 30 MHz range Services operating on HF bands include: Marine SSB Amateur Radio Military Transoceanic aircraft Short Wave Broadcast Stations: BBC, CBC, VOA, AFRTS, Cuban Radio, etc. SSB Radio System Architecture Hardware SSB Radio Antenna tuner Antenna - Insulated Backstay or 23-foot vertical PTC Pactor-III Modem for running Computer running Windows for WEFAX or Software WEFAX or AirMail SailMail and Winlink Networks. JVCOMM32 - WEFAX only 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 9 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 10 SSB Radio fills both social and safety needs. Staying in touch Cruising nets: Cruseheimers, Waterway Cruising Club Weather & sea conditions: Chris Parker s weather nets Herb Hilgenberg s Southbound II net Off-the-air WEFAX broadcast On-demand WEFAX downloads Emergency broadcast in case of problems SSB radio required equipment for participating in most ocean-going races Receiving WEFAX Broadcasts Low-cost(<$100) add-on to SSB (assuming you already own a computer) Cable to feed audio from SSB into MIC connector on computer Parts available from Radio Shack JVCOMM32 or similar shareware software. 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 11 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 12

3 Add capabilities to SSB system Hardware - Pactor Radio Modem Sits between SSB radio and computer Converts audio tones into computer-readable digital signals Software - AirMail Client software that controls modem Two flavors: SailMail network Mariners only WinLink network Ham Radio Operators Networks Sailmail & WinLink are the largest networks handling traffic from recreational vessels. Sailmail: World-wide coverage through 28 Coast/server stations Not-for-profit (501c11) association Several thousand users world wide WinLink: World-wide coverage through 50+ server stations Free No charge to use (must have Ham Radio license) 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 13 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 14 SSB-based Systems Strength s They work! Proven, reliable, mature, technology Not affected by weather World-wide communications Relatively easy to fit onto smaller boats Less expensive than most satellite systems SSB-based Systems (Cont d) Weaknesses Some operating skill required 1-2 hours training to learn: How to use your SSB transceiver. How to use Airmail if doing . Some understanding of propagation required Need to develop a feel for the best time of day and frequency/band to communicate with the target location. 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 15 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 16 License Requirements Any US vessel entering international or foreign waters with a marine VHF radio onboard must have a Ships Station license (Canadian waters excepted). Any vessel with a marine SSB radio onboard must have a Ships Station license NO EXCEPTIONS US citizens and US flagged vessels must have appropriate FCC licenses. Non US citizens and non US flagged vessels must have the appropriate licenses from their governments. License Requirements for U.S vessels: Two FCC licenses required: Station License (call sign) $160 Valid for 10 years Renewable Non transferable Restricted Radio Operators License $60 Good for life Laminate it! 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 17 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 18

4 How to get your Marine FCC Licenses: File Yourself File electronically ( Over 100 choices/potential entries to review and fill out. Takes around a 1/2 hour or so just to download the interactive document and JAVA applets over 56K Modem. File by mail (discouraged by FCC) Takes 6-weeks or longer. Must use the current version of form 605, and it must be filled out correctly. FCC rejects applications filed on old versions of the form and keeps the $160, or $60 license application fee. Getting your Marine FCC Licenses (cont d) Pay a professional to electronically file on your behalf. Eliminate the risk of FCC keeping your $$ Free-up your time to prepare your vessel 24 to 48 hour turn around 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 19 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 20 License Requirements (Cont d) Amateur Radio License Test administered by three certified Volunteer Examiners (VE s) Test fee is $14 To find a test site near you: Tests are administered in Bahamas, Mexico, & other countries. Check the nets for info Satellite Systems Narrowcast Geostationary Satellites Requires a tracking antenna system Impractical for smaller sailboats OK for powerboats Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Omni directional Antenna OK (tracking not required) Hand-held units make this technology practical for smaller sailboats 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 21 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 22 System Examples Geostationary Inmarsat C / Mini-M (4 satellites) Telephone & Worldwide coverage (except for polar regions) Market leader LEO Systems Iridium (constellation of 66 satellites) Globalstar (constellation of satellites degraded) Source: (2-09) Skymate Satellite System Advantages Systems provide both voice and services Some systems provide worldwide coverage & Internet access. Little or no training required to operate Similar to dialing a phone using a calling card Private Relatively secure Suitable for conducting business 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 23 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 24

5 Problems / Limitations Not all systems offer worldwide coverage Lose communications during Storms Water droplets absorb signal Expensive. Equipment: $1.2-10K for equipment Monthly charges + connect time & per-character fees $ $ per month. $ $7.00+ per minute & $0.01 per character Antenna Clear view of the horizon required for optimal performance Geostationary systems require tracking antenna Satellite vs. SSB Radio Will Satellite communications replace SSB? Satellite and marine SSB are complementing technologies, not competing Satellite is private, one-on-one communications SSB is a more public, everybody-can-listen (party line) communications SSB works in all types of weather conditions Satellite communications are blocked by heavy rain and moisture in thick cloud decks 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 25 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 26 Digital Selective Calling & Maritime Mobile Service Identity Unique number similar to a phone number for your boat. Used by maritime DSC, Satellite, and AIS MMSI numbers Managed by International Telecommunications Union (ITU ) in Geneva ITU Maintains MARS (Maritime-mobile Access and Retrieval System) database Vessel name, owner s info, DSC Calling Channels / Frequencies: VHF: Ch-70 SSB: Ch on MHz DSC & MMSI Cont d: Where do you get an MMSI Number? FCC, Boat US, Sea Tow, & Shine Micro Vessel owner/master must program MMSI number into DSC capable VHF, SSB, or Satellite radio Caution - Not all MMSI numbers are equal: MMSI numbers issued by FCC are stored in the ITU International SAR database Accessible world wide MMSI numbers issued by Boat US, Sea Tow, & Shine Micro are stored in the USCG SAR domestic database Accessed by USCG, but not by other countries. If you plan to sail in International or foreign waters get your MMSI number from the FCC. 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 27 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 28 DSC & MMSI Cont d: Verify that your MMSI data is in the ITU s MARS database. Point your browser to: Verify that your radio call sign, MMSI, vessel name, & documentation number are listed correctly. DSC & USCG Rescue21 program eliminate the need to monitor CH-16 No more chatter Boat US 30+ minuet tutorial on DSC & Rescue 21: 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 29 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 30

6 Wi-Fi is the connection to a router/server by twoway radio. Most marinas offer Wi-Fi connection. Some for free, some for fee (~ $10 per day) Most Laptop Computers have Wi-Fi capability. Dell, Gateway, HP - built-in Wi-Fi Wi-Fi USB adaptors & /cards are cheap <$20 (802.11g) - $120 (802.11n) Basic WIFI Client System Architecture Roll-your-own WIFI range extender system 2.4 GHz WIFI XCVR Antenna USB I/O Low-loss Coax 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 31 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 32 Advantages Access to the Internet from your boat. Fast g Maximum 54 Mbps (Megabits per second) n Maximum 248 Mbps Ubiquitous Wi-Fi is everywhere Great solution when in a marina, anchorage or mooring field. Disadvantages SECURITY! Shared Wi-Fi is by definition a Public Network Risk - Hacker could capture data or access your files Limited range - WIFI a/b/g/ specification: ~38 M (~ 125 feet) inside buildings ~ 140 M (~ 460 feet) outside (line-of-sight) Range can be extended using high-gain antennas & transmit/receive amplifiers 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 33 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 34 System subject to throughput degregation Throughput inversely proportional to distance Distance from transmitter. Throughput..... Throughput inversely proportional to number of users Number of system on network. Throughput..... Summary of WIFI Protocols Protocol Release Date Freq. Throughput Range Typical Max Indoor Outdoor a GHz ~23 Mbs 54 Mbs ~35 M ~120 M b GHz ~4.3 Mbs 11 Mbs ~38 M ~140 M g GHz ~19 Mbs 54 Mbs ~38 M ~140 M n 06/2010 * 2.4 & 5.0 GHz ~74 Mbs 248 Mbs ~70 M ~250 M y 09/ GHz ~54 Mbs 54 Mbs ~50M ~5000 M * Estimated date Sources: 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 35 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 36

7 $450 Marine WIFI Extension Kit solution. Wi-Fi Extension Resources Google WIFI extender, wireless range extender, range extender, etc. Examples of low and moderately priced extenders Pricing It s up to you Shop around and do your own for < $200 Let someone else do it for you and pay $400+ Wi-Fi is evolving, don t commit big bucks to your solution. 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 37 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 38 DockSide Radio Specializing in Marine SSB/VHF/Sailmail/AirMail Authorized Icom Dealer Training Troubleshooting FCC License Filing Pactor-II/III Modem Sales Gary Jensen sailmail@docksideradio.com Owner/FCC Licensed Technician 3/3/2009 DockSide Radio 39