VHF DSC /RANT, sort of...

[boatless]

Instead of a rubbishy DSC Vhf, and a GPS connection, build a GPS receiver into the VHF. Get rid of “Digital” Selcal, and have proper digital VHF before it's too late to change it all for another 20 years..

Switch on VHF

VHF transmits handshake to OFCOM/CG on a channel
OFCOM/CG returns handshake
VHF displays ‘connected’

No more radio checks

Does this sound a bit like the cellphone technology you’ve been using for years?


VHF transmits position to CG

CG acknowledges
VHF displays ‘located’
Repeat both every minute.
Does this sound like the cellphone you’ve been using…

Yes, this might be the basis of AIS – but..

Licensing

Handshake contains MMSI number. No license, no MMSI, no connection.
(An ‘make unlicensed connection’ option to allow for emergency use, perhaps – OFCOM still knows exactly where the boat is if it wants to take matters further.)
Does this sound like the cellphone you’ve been using for…

You want to communicate with a local boat

Push ‘local transmit’ button.
VHF check CG database of local boats (from GPS info received as above)
CG sends all local MMSIs
VHF now calls all of them
Local boats now hear voice transmission.
(enhancement - also displays MMSIs, boat type, size, position, heading and name)
(bit like 'toothing', but don't want to go down that road)

Weather

VHF ‘pulls’ local (from GPS info given) area forecast and displays on screen.

Alerts

GPS info on CG database means that only truly local stations receive local alerts.

And obviously, user set thresholds for unwanted alert levels, and control over each level’s own alert alarm tone and volume. Bit like the ringer on your mobile.

This is just a start, sure others can think of more functions, but you can see what I’m getting at?

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[dralex]

Sorry- it'll never work- far too sensible. Can you imagine the implications for manufacturers- they'd love it- all that money to be made on new kit. I suppose Silva have started making that step with the S15 with built in GPS and Navtex. I thing the argument against it is having all you eggs in one basket ( grey box)- what if it goes wrong and you're left with no electronics and have to navigate A La Cunliffe. Perish the thought.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Unfortunately I can see wha you are getting at and I don't like it!

You did not mention retina scans to allow only licensed users, nor being told by CG your vessel is entering a restricted zone and you must leave. Or you are going out too far for yours or your vessels capability.

On ch 93 you are called to be told your fridge is low on milk and the local delivery boat has been informed.

You could be told to come back in or face prosecution as you have been sent deteriorating weather forecasts twice in the last 30 mins.

Your insurance payment from the bank has been denied you must return to port until Monday when the Ins co will resubmit

Big Brother is watching you, Mind out children, the Blunket will get you!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[TargaLout]

Re Darlek: The Silva S15 thing is only a GPS repeater. ie it needs nemea info from a GPS device. and its cheap and cheerful.
Re Boatless its too easy and as you say oh so familiar!

<hr width=100% size=1><http://www.fairlinetarga37.com>

 

[TargaLout]

Whoops!!!!! Typo. Sorry dralex. But then again it is national dementia day.

<hr width=100% size=1><http://www.fairlinetarga37.com>

 

[dralex]

It's interesting that advances in technology are often seen as conspiracies by the powers that be. Do people really think they're special enough to merit individual attention and surveillance? Do I care if someone wants to know which towns I've visited today. Not really. I'm more concerned about supermarket reward cards- now they are sinister. Imagine someone knowing exactly how much alcohol you've bought and the huge amounts of red meat you've been indulging in and more to the point, how much toilet roll you're scraping through. Link that to the DOH and the health police will be knocking at the door accusing us of being a tciking timebomb for the NHS. Guilty as charged!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[dralex]

Hi Draggletout

I thought it just needed the GPS antenna- the S10 needs NMEA input- I've got one.

Axle

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

Ah but

In the cellphone market, telcos compete with each other to bring us the latest, greatest services, coz they make money out of it. Meanwhile the hardware manufacturers are continuously up-speccing their toys because they want conquest business and market expansion.

Whereas in the marine comms market, nothing happens until a committee of international seafarers (mostly retired naval officers who've been pensioned off because they dented too many warships, or drank too much pinkers, or pinched too many Wrens' bums), have had the chance to draft, submit, amend, resubmit, reamend, reresubmit, cogitate, etc, ad infinitum, before something is finally ratified with a 5 year implementation period. Which just about guarantees that whatever we end up with in our boaties is at least ten years behind the tech curve.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[ShipsWoofy]

The telegraph

From the first link
<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has condemned Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans to turn the UK into a database state.

Thomas was scathing about the plans for a range of central Government databases that would collect an unprecedented amount of information on every citizen: the ID Card database, the "Citizen Information Project" and proposals for a national database of all children.

Thomas went on to compare the possible future of Big Blunkett's Britain with Franco's Spain and Communist Eastern Europe. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3568468.stm>BBC story</A>

<hr></blockquote>

It is not the technology that is at fault, I welcome aids from electrickery, but I do not welcome invasion from spying eyes. I do not want people to know were I am, I do not carry a mobile phone unless I am going to use it, then it is off until used.

Big Brother is bad, I have nothing to hide, but more to the point I have nothing I wish to advertise either!

My owner thinks exactly the same too.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Woof</A>

 

[Becky]

Very interesting, and sadly very true. But, isn't it a politician's habit to jump in before brain is engaged. Remember the dangerous dogs act', (to name the only one I can think of immediately)?
To return to the thread, this would be a good idea, except the 'eggs all in one basket ' principle, as has already been mentioned.And as for Twister Ken's comment about retired Admirals, well sadly we had two living next door to us ( successively, that sort ot thing isn't allowed in The Navy), one being the salt of the earth, the other (who of course was promoted from rear to vice, or is it the other way round?) was a liar and a charlatan. They upset so many of the neighbours that they moved. So he would be a good choice for advice on things nautical. Isn't it always those with the wrong type of experience that the British authorities seek advice from?

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Ah but

unfortunately Ken is dead right. You should see the syllabus for the Long Range Cert. It includes equipment which can't possibly be fitted to a yacht. So everyone goes through the pantomime of learning to operate equipment which they will never meet.

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[dralex]

Can't they just use sniffer dogs to check lamp posts and doggy notice posts. That will give "them" the full trail of where you've been and what you've been up to without having to revert to mobile phone logs. Do you cock your leg or are you a lady??

I agree about mobile phones- the best state for them to be in is OFF, and preferably in a drawer at home, not for any security reasons, but because I like being out of reach.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[Ships_Cat]

Re: Ah but

Not sure what the extent of the stuff in the syllabus is but a large number of pleasure yachts do carry INMARSAT C, SITOR/NBDP, etc so there is a need for a certificate to cover it.

Perhaps what is needed is a simpler certificate allowing operation of VHF and SSB (sans NBDP) only?

John



<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Ah but

John, the bit of kit I am talking about is a whopping great big dsc alarm with an lcd menu on it. We're in the 18" by 12" by and 3" scale if memory serves. It costs several thousand quid and it can't be fitted to a yacht. I did the course this year and trust me I know the difference between this lump and inmarsat (I have the qualification for that). You're dead right of course about what is needed, but the committee that decides on these things is dominated by 'professional' seamen who a) don't see that the kit doesn't exist on a yacht and b) don't want the LR cert, which isn't far off that carried by MN deck officers, diluted. Meanwhile, you as a radio ham would be highly amused if you knew the level of technical ignorance which is tolerated by the same test. I had a good instructor who made sure everyone (all yachtsmen) got what they needed from the course, but he was straying outside his strict brief by doing it.

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[AlexL]

In Aviation circles its called a Mode-S transponder and will be mandatory on all general aviation aircraft in the next couple of years (even the baby 2 seat cessna which I occasionally hire). Its bl**dy expensive, causing alot of friction in the aviation comunity and is possibly seen as a step towards charging General aviation for the liberty of using the governments sky. ( which the government seriously beleive that they own).

I would not ,even in jest, propose such a thing for shipping as it is very big brothery and facilitates all manner of 'pay as you go' charging.
Congestion charge in the solent anyone?

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[Sea Devil]

Re: Ah but

John hi,
really wanted to back up what you said about the HF long distance operating licence nonsense - not only do you learn about items you can never fit in a yacht but a lot of emphsis is placed on the abiltiy to send a may - day that will almost certiainly not be picked up - Merchant ships are no longer requrired to keep a permanent listening watch on 2182 or all the other higher emergency frequencies and the coast guard internationally do not either - nor do the US or UK Navy nor any others... Any one with a SSB has a VHF - if you have a vhf operators licence youknow how to formulate a mayday - The reality of SSB is that a moderm marine set is somewhat easier to uses than a mobile phone.......

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