Communication and GPS
For safe cruising, communication means and GPS are most important instruments.
Mr. Greenwood used cellular phone and handheld GPS POKE-NAVI map21 made by EMPEX in the beginning. But both gradually became degraded and after 3 years it is no longer effective.
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First Generation GPS |
Second Generation GPS integrated with cellular phone |
He selected GPS Cell Phone F661i by NTT docomo. This is a hybrid of GPS and cellular phone.
It will provide seamless linkage between BAN (Boat Assistance Network) Remote positioning of the cellular phone on the boat is possible through internet. Map is shown on the PC screen showing present address with longitude and latitude data.
Third Generation GPS Garmin's GPSmap60CSx
As a backup of cellular phone, 145MHz Amateur radio is in hand.
Kenwood radio
Barometer
CASIO Protrek
Compass & Depth Sounder
ETAP Yachting Co. provides navigation instrument of Raytheon Corp. Former British maker called Autohelm Co. was now a division of Raytheon Corp. They supply depth sounder, speed meter, anemoscope, anemometer and autohelm tiller pilot.
Calibration of depth sounder is needed to take into account of keel depth from the bottom of the hull where the sounder is installed.
compass and tridata
Speed Meter
Speed sensor could be replaced with a dummy sensor to avoid stuck of rotating propeller from marine growth.
speed sensor and its dummy
Autohelm tiller pilot
Autohelm tiller pilot keeps constant compass bearings by steering the tiller. Dodging obstacle under automatic control is possible. Automatic tack control feature will make 100 degree turn to starboard or to port. When waypoints are available in GPS data, track control mode will head the boat to the next waypoint compensating tidal stream. When anemoscope is equipped at the mast top, the tiller pilot can keep constant apparent wind angle.
Autohelm
2001/5/9
Rev. August 22, 2008
