GMDSS SART Search And Rescue Transponder

Simrad SART available February.


•A SART is a Search and Rescue Transponder

•It is part of the GMDSS package required on SOLAS vessels.

•Simrad have a very well established name in the GMDSS market with the Axis range of Handheld Radios.

•Full Safety Package comprises of one SART two Handheld Radios and an EPIRB.

•SART is used as a homing device.

•With SART activated and interrogated by X-band radar it will emits 12 pulses which show on the radar display as a bearing line of dots. See Radar screen in picture above.

•Rescue vessel travels along the bearing given by the returns to find target.

•An activated SART will respond to a ships RADAR by out putting its signal which will appear on the radar as a series of returns.

•It will do this for up to 96 hours in standby condition and then for 8 hours being interrogated by a rescue RADAR.

•Maximum positional error of closest response is 300m at short ranges.

•Vessel will always be closer than the apparent position displayed on the RADAR.

Carriage Requirements .

•All SOLAS vessels are required to carry one or more SART’s
–Vessels over 300 tons must carry one
–Vessels over 500 tons and every passenger ship must carry two
–Ro-Ro ferries must carry one for every four life rafts onboard after commencing June 2004

Description of operation as described in picture.

•Antenna for Receive and Transmit

•Receiver Amplifier to boost weak RADAR Signals

•Diode detector triggers the Sweep Generator.

•Sweep Generator provides a signal to Drive the Sweep oscillator from 9.2GHz to 9.5GHz in a set pattern.

•Power Amplifier boosts the transmit Signal level to Aid detection by the RADAR.

•Size and Weight Difference between Jotron SART and the Simrad SART will make it far easier to sell into the Liferaft market on the roll on roll off Ferries. The yellow one by the way is the Simrad .

Finally as stated in previous log the batteries for the Simrad SARTs are not hazardous and therefore do not have to comply with dangerous goods requirements.

Frank

Simrad AI80

Simrad Automatic Identification System is now in stock. After a delay due to international demands to comply with IMO carriage requirements. We have finally recieved our order.

For those interested we have an information booklet on how and what this is all about. For an emailed copy please request.

Frank

GI51 Gyro interface

Step adapter kit.


Simrad have released a modification kit following problems with the 70 volt stepper signal levels of Sperry Gyro's. Seems that the unloaded

GI51 provides only electronic load. When connected to a Sperry gyro with 70V step signal, the step signal has been measured up to almost 100V. This has now been solved by adding a step adapter kit as standard, p/n 22089122. This kit will provide a load to the step signal and prevent the GI51 from failing.
The step adapter kit is added to GI51 from rev code CA.
The installation instruction for the Step adapter kit can be emailed from me upon request.

Please note graphics can not be handled by this web log at present. I'm working on it.


Frank

Electronic Services

J50 Junction Unit

Power PCB, HW-modification


The J50 Power PCB has been through some HW-modifications. The most critical problem was located to the galvanic isolated solenoid output that failed from time to time. As a preliminary fix this was solved by supplying a varistor kit with the J50. This kit is not necessary anymore, as the varistors now are soldered on the PCB.

Changes made to the J50 Power PCB:

· A better protection on the galvanic isolated solenoid connection. The protection kit that used to be delivered with the J50 is now replaced by varistors soldered on the PCB.

· The RADAR output is improved to allow two radars to be connected in parallel. The radar output from J50 is now equal to the radar output from GI51
The modification is valid from code EA of the J50.

Frank

CVS8811P

This has now been sold.

SIMRAD NEW 38/200 kHz Wide beam combi

Introduction
The 38/200 Combi W is a dual frequency transducer (38
and 200 kHz), and both frequencies operate with wide
beams (31°). This makes the transducer perfect for shallow
water fish detection using the 200 kHz frequency, and
excellent for bottom discrimination from shallow depths
and down to several hundred meters using both frequencies.
This is currently the only 200 kHz wide beam (31°) transducer
available on the market. It has been made possible
using the latest Simrad Composite Transducer Technology.
This unique technology also ensures a transducer
efficiency above 70%.

The new 38/200 Combi Wide
transducer has a lower power
rating than other transducers.
This means that the echo sounder
software must be set up to
automatically reduce the power
output to avoid damage to the
transducer.
Failing to do so may damage the
transducer beyond repair.
The maximum pulse power rating for
the transducer is:
38 kHz: 400 W
200 kHz: 250 W
Maximum continuous power rating is:
38 kHz: 5 W
200 kHz: 4 W
DO NOT apply more power than the rated
maximum! Exceeding the power input will
permanently damage the transducer.
The ES60, EQ60 and ER60 echo sounders
will provide automatic power reduction
when the 38/200 Combi Wide transducer is
selected. This feature is included from the
following software versions:
ES60: 1.5.2.76
EQ60: 1.5.2.76
ER60: 2.1.0
To check the current software version on
the echo sounder, go to the Help menu,
and select About the echosounder. Also,
on older software versions, you will not be
able to find this transducer listed among the
available transducers.
If it is necessary to upgrade the software,
the applicable software versions can be
provided by Quin Service dept.

For use with the xx44 and xx54 echo
sounders, you will need software version
2.02 or later, which automatically reduces
the power output when the transducer is
selected. Check that the transducer is listed
among the options!

If this transducer is used with any other
echo sounder, the warranty is voided!

Request colour brochures by email.

Order number
KSV-208845
Common specifi cations
Nominal impedance ..............................................75 ohms
Maximum transducer depth ....................................... 20 m
Cable length ............................................................... 15 m
Cable diameter ............................................. 10.6 ±0.5 mm
Weight with cable ....................................................... 5 kg
Storage temperature .........................................-20 to 70°C

Technical specifi cations 38 kHz
Resonant frequency .................................................38 kHz
Maximum pulse power input: .............................400 W(*)
Maximum continuous power input: ........................5 W(*)
Beamwidth longitudinal .......................................... 31 deg
Beamwidth transverse ............................................. 31 deg
Directivity, DI=10logD ..........................................15.5 dB
Side lobes ................................................. less than -15 dB
Back radiation .......................................... less than -20 dB
Source level at 400 W ............................... 208 dB re 1µPa
Transmitting response ..................... 164 dB re 1µPa per V
Receive sensitivity, open circuit .... -184 dB re 1V per µPa
Electroacoustic effi ciency ........................................... 50%

Technical specifi cations 200 kHz
Resonant frequency ...............................................200 kHz
Maximum pulse power input: .............................250 W(*)
Maximum continuous power input: ........................4 W(*)
Beamwidth longitudinal .......................................... 31 deg
Beamwidth transverse ............................................. 31 deg
Directivity, DI=10logD .............................................16 dB
Side lobes ................................................. less than -20 dB
Back radiation .......................................... less than -30 dB
Source level at 250 W ............................... 208 dB re 1µPa
Transmitting response ..................... 165 dB re 1µPa per V
Receive sensitivity, open circuit .... -197 dB re 1V per µPa
Electroacoustic effi ciency ........................................... 70%
(*) The transducer must be submerged in water when
transmitter power is applied. Transmitting in air will
damage the transducer permanently.

Warning!
Observe the maximum pulse power rating for this
transducer:
38 kHz: 400 W
200 kHz: 250 W
Maximum continuous power rating is:
38 kHz: 5 W
200 kHz: 4 W
DO NOT apply more power than the rated maximum!
Exceeding the power input will permanently damage the
transducer.

For those interested I have the current Simrad transducer installation manual which also covers this new model.
Please request by email if you need a copy. Approx 34 pages .


Regards
Frank

RF300 Rudder Feedback

New Upgraded Version

In our continuous effort to improve our products, it is a pleasure to announce that an upgraded version of the RF300 Rudder Feedback is now available.
Several features and improvements have been implemented:

· The operating voltage has been reduced to avoid instability at low battery voltage when used in a stand alone rudder indicator system. Particularly in connection with the early revisions of the RI35MKII Rudder Angle Indicator anomalies have been observed.

· If the rudder angle indicator is wired to operate also with the autopilot off, there is no longer an offset in the rudder angle reading when you turn off the autopilot.

· The rudder angle signal level has been increased for better EMI immunity.

· The unit has been tested and Wheelmark approved.

The product code of the upgraded RF300 is FA.
As a result of the improved performance and the Wheelmark approval, the RF300S P/N 20193660 has been discontinued.

Orders for RF300S will as of this date automatically be replaced with a standard RF300 with code FA.

Koden Service

We have had enquiries as to our position with regards to providing Koden service after Coursemaster takes over as the sole distributor of Koden products next year.

We have over 30 years experience repairing Koden products and many spare parts (that are no longer available from Koden) are in stock at Port Adelaide .

We will continue to provide our usual repair service and supply spares at usual dealer discount prices until 2006.


Frank