Onboard Communications WxLive! Session 1
Expectations Broad Overview of Comm Equipment Compare and Contrast Them Links and Resources Question Management
Objectives For the Series How do we get weather info onboard? How do we decide which equipment? How do we start the planning process Suit needs for acquiring wx info! (this Session) How do we interpret wx data acquired? (Session 2) How do we use that info to plan strategy? (Sessions 3 and 4)
Hosts Bill Biewenga Over 400,000 nm at sea Multiple speed records, numerous races and deliveries 37 Transatlantics as well as passages through virtually every ocean of the world Author & lecturer Lou Roberts Co-owner Weather4Sailors.com Winner 2008 Marion to Bermuda Short Handed Trophy Corporate consultant in instructional media and training
Speakers Phil Lee, Cay Electronics Mark Freeberg, Ocens Jim Corenman, SailMail Rick Garrison, KVH
Technologies Covered VHF SSB / HF Satellite
Weather Data Typical weather products that can be received and used offshore while underway*: Voice forecasts Text forecasts Weather faxes Weather images (satellite, radar, gulf stream charts) GRIB files Buoy data (current conditions) *subject to race committee restrictions
Receiving Weather Data Weather products are received while underway in one of the following ways: Voice broadcast Dedicated weatherfax machine File download Email attachment Internet Browser (view webpages)
VHF Within a Weather Context NWS Marine Forecasts DSC info available in our Resources List http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zone/usamz.htm Technology Issues Range Masthead vs handheld Emergency antennas Main Installation vs handheld Special regulations for 25 W output How do I receive VHF weather broadcasts?
VHF Technology Issues Range Installation Technical details Frequencies Use in foreign countries Race rule limitations
NOAA Weather Channels in MHz WX1 -- 162.550 WX2 -- 162.400 WX3 -- 162.475 WX4 -- 162.425 WX5 -- 162.450 WX6 -- 162.500 WX7 -- 162.525
SSB / HF Radio Technical Issues Licensing Coverage areas global w/atmospheric constraints Transceiver vs Receiver Software-driven solutions (blackbox) Wx Fax Navtex Telex Graphics Maps GRIB Files
Stand Alone Wx Fax Furuno Weather Fax 408 ($2,600 - $3,400) Furuno Weather Fax 410 ($8,500 - $9,000) JRC Jax-9A Weather Fax ($2,200 - $2,900)
Email via SSB/HF Radio Why get email? What can I get through email? Text Graphics (GRIBs) How do I use SSB to get email? Are they allowed during offshore races? Do I need additional hardware?
SSB/ HF Radio SSB Unique Qualities Able to broadcast, receive common broadcasts Often already installed onboard Costs Coastal radio station talk time is not inexpensive Ham radio is inexpensive
Satellite Communications Types of weather information available Weathernet as an example Graphics (including GRIB, maps, satellite pictures) Text Coverage areas Speeds available Costs
Satellite Equipment One-way communications Sirius Radio - Weather (Plotters) XM Radio - Weather (Computer Software) Baron Weather Service Two-way communications Portable units Iridium Globalstar Isatphone Permanently mounted units Iridium Open Port INMARSAT Fleet Broadband F33/55/77 and older sat comm models VSAT
Internet Issues How do you maximize throughput with limited bandwidth Compression Software Accelerators Browser settings
Sirius Radio Coverage Map
Baron Weather Services N American Coverage Map
Baron Weather Services Worldwide Coverage Map
Iridium Coverage Map
GlobalStar Coverage Map Orange = Primary Service Area Yellow = Extended Service Area Blue = Fringe Service Area Olive = Currently unavailable Pins represent GlobalStar Gateways
FleetBroadband & IsatPhone Coverage Area Americas EMEA Asia-Pacific
Summary of Broadband Services FB150 FB250 FB500 Std IP Data Up to 150 kbps Up to 284 kbps Up to 432 kbps Streaming IP Data Not available 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 kbps 8, 16, 32,64,128,256, kbps ISDN Data Not available Not available 64 kbps Voice Fax SMS 4 kbps Not available Standard 3G (up to 160 characters) * FB250: Available only at elevations >20 degrees 4 kbps and digital 3.1 khz audio Group 3 fax via 3.1 khz audio Standard 3G (up to 160 characters) 4 kbps and digital 3.1 khz audio Group 3 fax via 3.1 khz audio Standard 3G (up to 160 characters) Note: The 9.6k fax and GMDSS services are not available via FleetBroadband
Sat Comm A Broadband Perspective
File Size & Cost
High Sat Usage per Month
Bandwidth Alternatives, KVH VSAT Reliability Flexibility Service performance Needs to overcome antenna size and cost Inmarsat Fleet/FleetBroadband High standard End-to-end design specification Quality assurance Meets regulatory needs Iridium/Open Port System reliability, satellite longevity, funding, and operations
Summation Broad Overview of Comm Equipment Compare and Contrast Them Links and Resources Online Taped Review Sessions
Resources Brief overview Contributed by all of the speakers When they will be available How best to use them
Session 1: Onboard Communications The End (Resources will be made available by email) Session 2 (Reading and Interpreting Weather Data) will be held on March 12, 2011 www.weather4sailors.com