Loud hailer / fog signals

[sarabande]

I quite like (sensible) gadgets, and have been reading the manual for the GX2150 VHF installed on the (saily) boat.

Seems that there is a 30W loud hailer system built in, with automated/standard fog signals. I am tempted....


Does anyone have a PA/loud hailer/signal of similar power and signalling ability, if so, does it have operational benefits and do you think that it merits the purchase and installation, especially as it seems there is a microphone installed in the horn as well


TIA

 

[prv]

I have essentially the same radio (slightly earlier version) and fitted the horn. It's tucked neatly between the legs of the radar mount on the front of the mast.

I don't think I've ever used the hailer function - I'd rather just shout. And I think the microphone function isn't relevant to an open cockpit sailing boat, though it might have a use in something with a wheelhouse. I have used the manual horn function a couple of times to give manoeuvring signals where it seemed helpful, though you have to be careful because there are many ignorant leisure skippers who think you're just "beeping at them" as if we were driving cars. You need a bit of anticipation too, because you have to open a menu on the radio to get to the horn control.

All that said, it was absolutely worth fitting the speaker in order to have automatic fog signals. I've not tried using a mouth-blown or manual compressed-gas horn in fog, but I can't imagine many people seriously keep it up for very long. My first proper bit of fog, we were going to windward nearby another yacht, both tacking, and crossing each other on each tack. It would have been extremely reassuring to have been able to hear him coming, but he wasn't making any attempt to signal. I don't want to be that person to everyone else.

The horn was only £20 or so anyway.

Pete

 

[ashtead]

Have the Raymarine version as thought it might have improved sound to a plastic foghorn. You can also play music down it and of course recorded foghorn sounds if you wish . Ours is mounted below the radar array dome and hasn't so far caught on sails etc. Haven't yet really had a chance to using for real though. I suppose it might be useful in speaking to those manning fuel barges and locks who sometimes seem slightly deaf ?

 

[Tintin]

I have the Garmin version.

The automatic fog signals make life so much easier singlehanded.

And I can bark at the kids

Also used it once on Helford after a tender came untied from a boat moored up stream. They hadn't noticed, and didn't have VHF on, so a sharp "oi" got their attention.

 

[Piers]

I quite like (sensible) gadgets, and have been reading the manual for the GX2150 VHF installed on the (saily) boat.

Seems that there is a 30W loud hailer system built in, with automated/standard fog signals. I am tempted....

Does anyone have a PA/loud hailer/signal of similar power and signalling ability, if so, does it have operational benefits and do you think that it merits the purchase and installation, especially as it seems there is a microphone installed in the horn as well

TIA

Hi, to meet COLREGS for sound signals, the kit will need to come with an approvals certificate stating it meets the sound signal specifications...

 

[sarabande]

Piers, thanks for the tech observation on approvals

The Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions 1996 Regs do not seem to apply to recreational vessels - or do they ?

Colregs requires a "whistle" for boats above 12m, so setting up a PA horn speaker for a 10m sailboat is a bit of a luxury - but seems to be recommended by users above.

Will the 20W output be able to produce 120dB and be audible at 1/2 mile, as required for Class 4 whistles ? No tech performance details on the Standard Horizon website. But it's presumably going to be a hell of a lot better than blowing through one of those plastic vuvuzela trumpet things ? Or using a tiny compressed air can which will run out after a few blasts.


For anyone interested in a quick read up about Colregs whistles, try Piers' Kahlenberg website

http://www.kahlenberg.co.uk/attachm...quirements-Sound-Signalling-Kahlenberg-UK.pdf

(not advertising, just a succinct source of good information for the forum )

 

[Piers]

Piers, thanks for the tech observation on approvals

The Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions 1996 Regs do not seem to apply to recreational vessels - or do they ?

Colregs requires a "whistle" for boats above 12m, so setting up a PA horn speaker for a 10m sailboat is a bit of a luxury - but seems to be recommended by users above.

Will the 20W output be able to produce 120dB and be audible at 1/2 mile, as required for Class 4 whistles ? No tech performance details on the Standard Horizon website. But it's presumably going to be a hell of a lot better than blowing through one of those plastic vuvuzela trumpet things ?

For anyone interested in a quick read up about Colregs whistles, try Piers' Kahlenberg website

http://www.kahlenberg.co.uk/attachm...quirements-Sound-Signalling-Kahlenberg-UK.pdf

(not advertising, just a succinct source of good information for the forum )

Hi Sarabande. In answer to your question, yes, the COLREGS on sound, which start at 12m+, apply to leisure as well as commercial. However, we all know that the vast majority of leisure craft don't meet the regs. I suspect the reason is that to create the colreg sound levels normally requires an air horn for which the cost is much higher than an electric air horn. Horns that meet the colregs always come with an certificate of compliance.

BTW, when I asked the RYA for their legal comment on the colregs, they replied that the sound colregs didn't apply to leisure craft. I asked them where this specific exclusion was stated only to be met by silence... The MAIB and CG believe differently. Interesting!

Hmmm.

 

[prv]

Hi, to meet COLREGS for sound signals, the kit will need to come with an approvals certificate stating it meets the sound signal specifications...

Many (most?) of us in here are under 12m long, so only need to "be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal".

The Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions 1996 Regs do not seem to apply to recreational vessels - or do they ?

They do, or else we wouldn't have to obey the Colregs at all.

Pete

 

[sarabande]

prv

I thought those regs were for Merchant Vessels only ?
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/281965/msn1781.pdf. Ordinary Colregs for all vessels, I agree, but the sound signals seem to be specific to merchant vessels.

I'm trying to work out the best way of getting a decent quantity of dBs out, when sailing (proceeding cautiously, natch ! ) in fog .

Perhaps incorporating a diaphone or reed into the foot of the mast would be one way ? Then renaming the boat "The Mighty Wurlitzer " ?
http://hardmanwurlitzer.com/pipes/

 

[Piers]

I thought those regs were for Merchant Vessels only ?
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/281965/msn1781.pdf. Ordinary Colregs for all vessels, I agree, but the sound signals seem to be specific to merchant vessels.

Er - no. The colregs apply to all vessels.

I'm trying to work out the best way of getting a decent quantity of dBs out, when sailing (proceeding cautiously, natch ! ) in fog .

Perhaps incorporating a diaphone or reed into the foot of the mast would be one way ? Then renaming the boat "The Mighty Wurlitzer " ?
http://hardmanwurlitzer.com/pipes/

Love it! maybe you should patent the idea - quickly! BTW, Kahlenberg started creating horns at the end of 1800s by making them for the Mississippi paddle boats. A huge accumulator would drive a manifold with 'organ pipes', usually three pipes, which made that wonderful low and mournful sound. Rather than air, it would be steam.

Have a look here at 40 secs into the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWbgY0Trk7k

...and this one for a real treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7KiEkma5aA