Glossary of Marine Electronics
Autopilots government launched the first automatic was introduced in the 1920s to control model yachts but it was not until 1948 that the principle applied to yachts of scale. Standing at the helm for long periods, monitoring instruments and keeping a good look out can be very stressful. An autopilot relieves the helm steering the correct course leaving him free to maintain adequate supervision. The autopilot can be set to run either a compass or a course in relation to the wind. A fluxgate compass or electronic wind indicator feeds information to a microprocessor which then makes the necessary rudder movements to return the vessel to its required course. The mechanical energy is applied to the rudder by either electric linear activators, hydraulic pumps or rotary drives. GPS / plotter table can be used to input navigation instructions to the autopilot.
Battery Chargers keep the batteries fully charged thereby extending their working lives.
Typically, a box Plotter Plotter consists of an antenna, mounted high on the boat, to track GPS signals and a display unit located in either the navigation station or the helm of the boat. The vessels position is sent from the antenna to the unit which in turn is shown graphically in the chart. The box itself will be similar to its paper equivalent and show depth, land mass, navigational aids such as buoys and hazards in the form of wrecks and obstructions. The user can add way points to the table and zoom in or out of the screen. chart plotters can be connected to drive an autopilot and / or send GPS data to a fish finder or radar. You can also interact with a laptop that allows complex planning step that takes place outside of the boat and then entered the successes plotter after arriving at the boat.
Transmitting magnetic compasses work as traditional compasses using magnets to determine the orientation of the vessels of the Earth’s magnetic field which then transmit the boats headed for an electronic display. Make management easier than with conventional compasses because they display items more stable and not suffer from “lag” that occurs when making a turn. You can interact with chart plotters, autopilots and radar. Fluxgate Compasses consist of two parts readily saturated magnetic material with coils wound round them in opposite directions. AC passes through the coils and the material is saturated in one direction and then the other. Earth’s magnetic field affects slightly the time that saturation occurs at the beginning of a coil and then the other. The difference is then calculated giving an output proportional to the magnetic field of the Earth. They have an accuracy of 0.1 degree. Its output can be displayed digitally to the helmsman or they can interact with autopilots, chart plotters and radar.
Echo sounders work on the same principle as sonar. A transducer emits a narrow beam of high frequency sound. This is reflected by solid objects and the time between transmission and reception of the echo is measured. The speed of sound through water is known and so the range or distance to the sea bottom can be calculated. This is displayed in meters. Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) enables you to see the underwater hazards before it is really on top of them. A typical range for an FLS is 150 meters.
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a device designed to free float a ship in distress. It then sends a radio signal that can be detected by search and rescue satellite aided tracking (SARSAT) satellites. They convey a message to a ground station which in turn may instigate a search and rescue operation.
Fish finders use the same technology as sonar. A narrow beam of high frequency sound is transmitted by a transducer, this is reflected by solid objects, such as the seabed. Through the development of this technology provide locators screens that show where the fish are and can differentiate between bait fish and larger species
Global Positioning System (GPS Receivers) – This system was originally designed for military purposes and is owned and operated by the Department of Defense United States. 24 satellites are arranged in a bird cage “around the world, are placed so that at every point on the surface of the earth a direct line of sight can be set at least four satellites. A solution is obtained by measuring with precise distance between a GPS satellite receiver at a particular time. Because of the satellite’s exact position is known, these distances provide position lines which are converted by a microprocessor in the GPS receiver to read the outputs of latitude and longitude.
The record is used to measure the speed of vessels through the water. A paddle wheel or impeller, mounted below the waterline is turned by the flow of water, it generates electrical impulses that are fed to a microprocessor that displays speed and distance traveled.
Investors – On most boats today is the national team of one sort or another. For entertainment on board are televisions and stereo systems. With the popularity of chart plotters comes the PC or laptop. Maintenance often requires the use of power tools. Liveaboards could have a washing machine, dishwasher or microwave. Can you have 12v, the 24v or 48v supply and turn it into a stable of 110 V or 220V AC.
Navtex can perhaps be described as a continuously updated telex service providing navigation and weather information in specific areas. A board receiver, tuned to 518 kHz, the frequency Navtex around the world, if not turn on or print or display the latest massages sent from a local station. The service is available up to 400 miles offshore.
Radar allows you to see what would otherwise be invisible. They offer greater benefit at night and in fog or rain and are of particular value when close to shore or in busy shipping lanes. They consist of an antenna and a display. The antenna sends a stream of RF energy, which is reflected by hard objects. When this energy is recovered is converted into a signal that shows the user. The antenna rotates every few seconds, the display continuously calculates the direction of the antenna and so a precise relationship with the target is calculated. Time is measured by the energy that is reflected and so the distance of the target is also shown.
Satellite Phones consist of an antenna, a modem and a standard telephone. They are powered by an iridium battery. Their range is anywhere covered by in Inmarsat Mini-M. Voice, fax, email and data is transmitted.
Satellite TV requires an antenna and of course, television. Reception is available within a “footprint” which is based in Piraeus (effective isotropic radiated power) of a satellite transmission. The EUTELSAT together with the two ASTRA satellites cover Europe. Nilesat and the two ARABSATs cover Africa and the Middle East. Good coverage is also available in North, Central and South America.
SSB Radio has a range of several thousand kilometers. You will need an FFC license, or its equivalent in any country is going to operate. Energy consumption is a consideration. Up to 100 watts may be necessary for transmission. SSB radio requires several teams. A transceiver capable of SSB operation, an antenna, it should be 8 feet long and in practice most boats use a coarse or shelter in order to make the necessary insulators. An antenna tuner matches the transmitter-receiver model. To send e-mail will also need and radio modem and computer.
VHF radio to transmit the power required is minimal, all sets have the option of transmitting to each one-watt or 25 watts and lower power should be used whenever possible. Unlike phones that allow you to both talk and listen at the same time most VHF sets require you to press a transmit button before speaking. This is known as simplex. Duplex sets are available, but are much more expensive. VHF radio waves travel in straight lines so that the antenna should be placed as high as possible, preferably in the neck.
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