SatPhone Shootout  

InMarSat IsatPhone Pro vs. Iridium Extreme

By Lawrence Husick

Many mariners now prefer to rely on satellite telephones not only for voice, but also for data transmission. A comparison of two satellite telephones shows that differing approaches can be useful. But they are quite distinct products, each with its own advantages.

A first look

Decked out in smooth blue, gray and black with a color display, the IsatPhone Pro is sleek, with a swing-out antenna that is easy to position and large enough to look like it means business. The unit sports clearly marked keys and reasonably clear menus. It uses a small “wall bump” transformer for charging, which is nice if you’re going ashore. An optional docking station from Beam Communications simplifies matters even more. Slide the unit into the dock, (which is connected to 12VDC and a small antenna mounted topside), pick up the standard telephone handset, dial a number, and you’re connected in seconds. There is even a standard telephone jack into which other telephones may be connected, so that an inexpensive cordless telephone system may be used to provide extensions in each cabin.

The Iridium Extreme addresses the need for a small and exceptionally rugged satellite communications handset. Swathed in gray nonskid rubber armor, the Extreme is water jet, shock, and dust resistant to military standards. The antenna is stiff but solid

. It looks and feels like you could drop it, bang it, pull it out of a soaking foul weather gear pocket, and still make your call—and you can! The Extreme looks and operates like a cellphone from the mid-1990s. It has a small black and white only screen, and lots of menus. Once you learn its functions, it is quick to operate and contains a wealth of built-in smarts that any mariner will appreciate. One minor inconvenience is the rubber covers for the electronic connectors. Because the unit is water resistant, these small captive plugs are essential but they are difficult to jam into place and awkward when trying to connect wires, especially one-handed. One other item of note: the cradle is required for both a data connection and for charging the battery, so traveling light is difficult.

Both phones, though larger than your typical iPhone, are easily carried ashore. They fit in a jacket pocket, weigh less than a pound, and have good battery life. Satellite telephones require a clear view of the sky to function, so using them inside or near tall buildings is off the agenda.

Behind the scenes

Both the IsatPhone Pro and the Extreme incorporate email and text messaging and both have GPS functions that allow the phone to send its location by either means. The Extreme adds a small red emergency button that is pre-programmed to send the phone’s GPS location and a message on a repeating basis.

While the Extreme comes with a wired earbud/microphone that does a good job when the unit is in your hand (remember that the antenna must be pointed at the sky, so using either phone in your pocket does not work) the IsatPhone Pro is equipped with Bluetooth. In use, that means that any regular noise-canceling headset may be used within 30 feet of the phone. In our tests, we left the IsatPhone Pro in the cockpit in a plastic zipper bag with its antenna pointed skyward and continued talking on a Jawbone Icon headset while working on deck.

The bottom line

On price alone, the IsatPhone Pro is less expensive than the Extreme. Airtime costs are generally comparable. The most important factor, however, is where and how you expect to use the phone. If the primary need is for a shipboard voice and data system with extension telephones, bluetooth connections and home-telephone ease of use, then the IsatPhone Pro will be your choice. If your need is for a rugged portable phone that can still be docked to give data connections and also functions in polar areas, then the Extreme is your go-to device.

Regardless of which you choose, your vessel may go out of sight of land, but will never be out of communication range. These excellent devices deserve a place aboard every vessel venturing beyond VHF-FM radio range.

Furuno Unveils Pinch and Swipe Navigation

The New NavNet TZtouch takes getting where you’re going to a whole new level 

By L.J. Wallace, Jr. 

It’s not every day that you sit down for a breakfast press conference at the Miami International Boat Show and actually enjoy an hour and a half presentation. But that was precisely the case when the folks at Furuno unveiled their latest effort—the NavNet TZtouch. I doubt that bolstering the helm station re-fit industry was a primary motivator in the development of this new system, but that will surely be the case as more and more consumers have a chance to demo this equipment and decide they just have to have it.

The demo during that press conference—expertly presented by a man I used to share an office with half a lifetime ago, Furuno’s Marketing Manager, Dean Kurutz—could only provide a thumbnail sketch of this system’s capabilities in the time allotted. But in that time it was easy to visualize the command, usability, flexibility and customizations of the displays that the NavNet system provides.

Utilizing its proven TimeZero technology, Furuno has provided the first multi-touch multi-display, which results in controlling the system just as you would your smartphone or smartpad, both of which can be used as additional displays and controls via an onboard WiFi network. (Plans to expand to Android and other smart phones and tablets are in the works, and a black box version of the TZtouch is expected to debut by the end of this year.) Just pinch/swipe with your fingers and you’re navigating on the cutting edge of 21^st century technology. For the traditionalist or when the sea state isn’t conducive to precise touches, Furuno has even included a rotary knob (RotoKey™) to manipulate most functions.

In terms of display customization, the possibilities are almost endless between onboard systems and functions, radars, depth sounders, fish finders, chart plotters, AIS, weather fax, cameras, Sirius satellite weather, temperature and even C-Map vector charts and high-resolution satellite images. Furuno employed a bonded LCD to ensure the display will never be affected by water condensation (fog-free), and the screen is also “polarized friendly,” meaning it will never black-out on you when wearing polarized sunglasses, and is visible from virtually any angle.

At the heart of things lies an Intel Sandy Bridge Dual-Core processor and the system operates in an extremely logical, intuitive and user-friendly manner.  At the outset of the press conference in Miami, Kurutz stated quite matter-of-factly, “We wanted a simple and effortless operation, using a common-sense interface. Our ultimate goal was to provide total control at your fingertips and I think we accomplished that goal.”

And you have done just that, old friend!

Furuno offers two sizes of touchscreens for this system: a 9-inch WXGA display (TZT9) which carries an MSRP of $5,695; or a 14.1-inch unit (TZT14) with an MSRP of $7,695. furuno.com

By Roger McAfee

Over the past decade we’ve been hearing a lot about fuel cell technology—considered by some to be the Holy Grail of clean power generation. Fuel cells create DC current directly as a result of a chemical reaction wherein the only byproducts of combustion are water and a very small amount of carbon dioxide. Fuel cell technology has been around for a long time, but until recently, no one has been able to develop it at a reasonable price or into a practical and useful product for the recreational industry. Finally, a German company has produced the hardware that brings the advantage of the technology to the consumer market in a practical way. Last year, U.S. Marine Products of Taunton, Massachusetts became the distributor of EFOY (Energy For You) fuel cells to boat owners in North America. The company won a prestigious Eco Award for that product at the 2011 Louisville, Kentucky, International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX).

Without getting into the mind-numbing technical details, a fuel cell is, as noted above, a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction. The operation of the EFOY fuel cell produces a very small amount of carbon dioxide—an amount equal to a baby’s breath according to the builder—and water. An operating EFOY is whisper-quiet, 27 decibels, about half as loud as the noise level in a library, and about a third the volume of a small, well-muffled, portable generator. Fuel for the cell is methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, the simplest alcohol, a light, colorless and flammable liquid.

Because there is no “exhaust” (as we know that term), the fuel cell can be installed in any well-ventilated area on a boat. In Europe they are widely used in trailers and motor homes where many are most often installed under the dining settee bench seats. When installed, the EFOY automatically keeps the battery topped up. The battery can coincidentally be connected to a solar cell or a wind charger and, properly installed, the EFOY will come online automatically only when the battery requires more charge. The EFOY can also be connected directly to a multiple battery bank or to the electrical system through a central electrical box. The fuel cell can charge lead acid, lead gel or AGM batteries.

U.S. Marine imports two EFOY cells: the 1600, which produces 130 amp hours of 12VDC a day, and the 2200 producing 180 Ah/day. A 1600 Pro and the 2200 Pro can produce either 12VDCV or 24VDC. The units weigh less than 20 pounds, are fully portable and can be easily moved from one boat to another, or from a boat to an RV. They can operate in temperatures from -4F to +104F and measure 17″ x 7.8″ x 10.9″.

U.S. Marine imports fuel for the charger and, while the fuel cartridges look like ordinary poly liquid containers, they are, in fact, very sophisticated safety containers and are certified for air travel. At the time of the EFOY introduction at IBEX, the methanol fuel was sold in two quantities: a 1.3 gallon cartridge that would provide battery top-up for 10-14 days, and the 2.6 gallon cartridge for a top-up time of twice that. Very recently, the smaller cartridge was discontinued leaving only the 2.6-gallon available.

At this time, all fuel is imported from Germany and a 2.6-gallon cartridge lists for $59. According to U.S. Marine, negotiations are under way that may result in the fuel being manufactured in the U.S. while efforts are under way to have the fuel cell and the fuel stocked at major marine retailers. Fuel can also be obtained at a number of stocking RV dealers. Both the manufacturer and the distributor caution against using methanol other than that supplied by the manufacturer. To do so will damage the machine and void the normal two-year warranty. That warranty can be extended to five years as an extra cost option at the time of purchase.

A number of European boat builders, including Jeanneau and Dufour, have started producing “EFOY-ready” boats at their factories. All the necessary wiring is factory-installed so that a boat owner can simply plug in an EFOY unit any time after the vessel purchase. U.S. Marine can supply a wiring harness to any builders wanting to build EFOY ready boats for as little as $20.

The suggested retail price is about $5,000 for the larger unit. Street prices can be as much as $1,000 less. By comparison, a small regular generator costs about $10,000, including installation. These new units should be examined by any boat owner who is planning an electrical upgrade or who wants a very quiet charger that has little to no environmental impact.

By Roger McAfee

When Raymarine was acquired by FLIR in 2010, many in the marine industry thought FLIR’s only interest in the transaction was the sale of its night vision equipment through Raymarine’s world-wide 1,000 dealer-strong network. It was feared that FLIR would simply allow the other Raymarine businesses to dwindle away. That didn’t happen. In fact, FLIR recognized the value of owning a world-class marine electronics company that started under the Raytheon banner in 1923. Clearly, history had value and since the FLIR acquisition, Raymarine has stayed in the forefront of marine electronic development.

In fact, the manufacturer won two prestigious awards last year: an Innovation Award at the 2011 IBEX in Louisville, Kentucky; and a Best New Product Award at the Newport International Boat Show in Newport, Rhode Island. Raymarine won for its e-7 multi-function display. This new 7-inch display builds on the hybrid touchscreen introduced by Raymarine in 2009. That display enables you to use the screen as a typical touchscreen in good weather but, when the sea gets up, to switch to keypad control.

For 2012, Raymarine has added 9-inch and 12.1-inch displays to the e-Series and has introduced a new c-Series 9-inch and 12.1-inch display, which is basically the e-Series unit with fewer bells and whistles, but also costs about $1,000 less than a comparable e-Series display. The c-Series does not have the hybrid touchscreen.

The new display integrates a number of features into the same unit. It is bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled and can connect easily to Apple IOS. This means connectivity with iPhones and iPads. Depending on the model ordered, built-in GPS and sonar (no black boxes) are incorporated right into the display. Also built into the system is a suite of autopilot functions, as well as support for radar.

The built-in GPS is a highly sensitive 50 channel WAAS and EGNOS-compatible system. The built-in pulse digital sonar is capable of operating at 200, 50 or 83 kHz and ranging down to 3,000 feet. It is fully automatic and has the technology to effectively discriminate between targets. Serious fishermen will appreciate that feature. It is also CHIRP technology-ready, but will require a separate, optional CHIRP sonar module.

The new e-Series 9-inch and 12-inch displays offer two video inputs so the skipper can keep an eye on any part of the vessel, including the engine space, that is equipped with video cameras. The same monitors offer CGA output to connect to other monitors or a large flat screen TV. All the displays of both series can be combined to form a network of up to six displays and needless to say, all displays can handle the FLIR thermal night vision cameras.

Retail pricing for these new units range from $1,799 to $3,499, depending on the features included. For an extra $100 across the board, a suite of Navionics award-winning electronic charts can be added. The micro-SD chart package can be upgraded to Navionics Gold.

Intelligence, style and reliability in an autopilot

By Lawrence Husick

Piloting on long passages or when short-handed often goes from being enjoyable to a boring chore in very short order. In a seaway, it can take every bit of the helmsman’s attention and strength just to maintain course and speed. For these situations, and many more, an autopilot becomes a necessity and a safety improvement, rather than just a luxury. Furuno’s new 700 series NAVpilot system is proving to be among the best-of-class for both power and sail.

One of the first questions often asked about autopilot systems is whether they provide a comfortable voyage in challenging conditions. Early autopilots operated “behind the curve,” constantly overcorrecting for the effects of wind, wave, current and trim. The NAVpilot system, on the other hand, is programmed at installation with factors such as vessel speeds, trim, draught, dead band and others. With use, these parameters are refined by a self-learning adaptive software algorithm, and this ensures that the autopilot reacts to changing conditions, resulting in a safe and comfortable voyage. When connected to a compatible GPS system and wind system (the NAVpilot features both CAN bus and NMEA0183 ports), the system provides five guidance modes from which to select.

In AUTO mode, the system maintains heading only. In ADVANCED mode the system maintains heading but automatically compensates for the set of wind and current. In NAV mode the vessel is steered to a defined waypoint, compensating for wind and current, and even steers through a sequence of waypoints on a course. In WIND mode the system maintains a desired heading based on true or apparent wind direction, compensating for set from wind and current. Finally, in FISHHUNTER mode, patterns of square, zigzag, orbit, figure-eight and spiral are steered based on a target from either a sounder or radar.

The system also offers the helmsman a menu of pre-computed turn maneuvers and functions that are useful in man-overboard situations. An equally impressive variety of alarms and displays include alarms for course deviation, cross-track error, arrival, speed, depth, water temperature, trip distance and wind (speed, bearing, heading change). The display units offered for NAVpilot are clear LCD displays with several modes that are user-customizable.

The displays are part of the control units (the larger 700, the smaller 711, and the handheld 720.) In addition, four types of remote controller units are offered: lever, dial, button and dodge.

At a suggested retail price of around $4,000, the NAVpilot system is a good stand-alone value, and when integrated with Furuno’s NavNet3D and related systems, offers a seamless way to control a vessel with precision and safety, while allowing the helmsperson to focus on navigation, traffic, weather and the many other facets of modern vessel operation.

Navico’s New 4G Broadband Radar

By L.J. Wallace, Jr.

I was aboard Simrad’s test boat to get a sneak peek at a new radar system with some other marine journalists on the Wednesday prior to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The Simrad guys were literally giddy about this new system… and for good reason. For the next 90 minutes, all of us aboard were shown what promises to be the next generation of radar technology.
“I’ve been involved in the development of all sorts of radars most of my life—marine and avionics. We’ve been working on this for over seven years, and it’ll take a long time for others (radar manufacturers) to catch up. I’ve never seen anything like this radar!” related Navico’s (parent company of Simrad/Lowrance/B&G) Senior Product Manager/Principle Engineer, Don Korte. Nor had I.
Broadband Radar simultaneously receives as it transmits, unlike a pulse radar that pulses loudly then has to switch the internal circuits from transmit to receive. This causes all pulse radars to have an unavoidable “main bang” which appears in the center of the screen as a sunburst. This covers up any close targets, reducing the effectiveness of the pulse radar at short range.
As we idled out of Bahia Mar Marina and headed south down the ICW, Don began the tutorial, and it was somewhat akin to listening to the proud father of a star athlete recounting how his kid made the last minute play to win the big game. It’d be tough to sum up a 90-minute demonstration session within this page, so I’ll simply share the major highlights with you.
- Don’t be confused by the nomenclature associated with this new radar. The word “Broadband” has nothing to do with wireless coverage, nor does the “4G” designation.
-They eliminate a traditional magnetron. Instead, the actual radar signal is produced by a portion of the microwave board contained within the radome. This technology also results in greatly decreased power consumption.
- There’s a 50 percent greater range and detection of targets, plus beam shaping technology for the sharpest possible screen images, according to company literature.
- Simultaneous Dual Range operation from a single dome, allowing 10 MARPA targets on each side of a split screen, facilitating unprecedented independent working ranges from 200 feet right up to 36 nautical miles—no other recreational radar in the world can provide this scaling, as well as the ability to display four separate screens simultaneously, providing the ultimate in navigational awareness on the water.
Product roll-out was slated for early November in the U.S. and Canada. The Lowrance unit has an MSRP of $1,899 while both the Simrad and B&G models are $2,999. navico.com

Southern Boating Editors report on new tech at NMEA Conference.

Staff Report

Technology moves so fast these days, but rather than getting overwhelmed, we should see it for the opportunity it is. Whether you’re looking for that next hot thing on the market such as a better Internet connection out on the water, an advanced entertainment system on your boat or futuristic charting, now you can have it all!
We traveled this past month to the NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) Conference in Fort Myers, Florida to check out all the new products. Here are just a few of the most exciting ones which made their debut.

GeoSat Solution’s New Yacht Router
Shortly after meeting Richard McLaughlin, Vice President of GeoSat Solutions, he introduced us to the soon-to-be-released Wave WiFi Yacht Router. Though almost nothing compares to being out on the water for weeks at a time, it also usually means having shoddy Internet access at least part of the time. Being unable to connect when you need to can quickly become problematic if you’re one of the fortunate types who refer to their boat as their office. But even if you’re one of the many who just wants to have Internet connection for the sake of casual communication with family and friends, it can still be a major hassle not to be able to reliably connect to it.
The Yacht Router allows you to access multiple paths to the Internet. If one of your connections cuts out, the Yacht Router will automatically connect you to the next available source.
There are many more reasons why you need to check out this product:

•  Easy to use, no special skills necessary–control and setup is through your Wave WiFi network select page
•  Works with all newer EC-series or Rogue products
•  Up to two 3G/4G wireless “dongles” for Internet connection via cellular networks
• Manage the Yacht Router via the simple EC (Ethernet Converter) control page

GeoSat Solutions expects the Yacht Router to be available early in 2012 in time for the Miami International Boat Show. geosatsolutions.com

Nobeltec’s TimeZero Trident
Nobeltec released their newest PC-based navigation software: TimeZero Trident. It offers a classy new user interface designed to be intuitive and easy to operate. The chart engine lets you easily zoom, pan, change display modes and perform other chart handling functions quickly, with seamless chart graphics and fast redraw. Trident operates in a full 3D environment and reacts in real time so that the boat moves realistically on the chart at the same pace as it is actually traveling through the water. Yacht owners will especially love this because of the precision and veracity it provides to the navigation system: you’ll navigate over raster and vector charts while viewing high-resolution photography. One huge benefit of this is that you will be able to detect sand, rocks, coral and other obstructions found in shallow water. This is possible because as the depth increases, the satellite photo becomes more transparent, allowing you to see where shallow water ends and deeper water begins. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend relying solely on what you see on the screen. It’s always a good policy to have your paper charts handy, as well as an extra pair of eyes on the water.
MSRP will be $1,250, but Nobeltec offered a special $1,000 introductory price at its launch in May and it is still available. nobeltec.com

Fusion’s 700 Series True
Marine Entertainment System
Fusion, a world-recognized leader in marine and car audio, has introduced a new line of marine-grade stereo units, the 700 series. Featuring a bright daylight-viewable 2.7-inch color TFT LCD display, the fully integrated iPod and DVD/CD models provide signature Fusion sound reproduction, a familiar Apple-approved user interface, modern styling and enhanced features. Among its many capabilities, it can access, control and communicate with multi-function displays, remotes and compatible screens—including the Apple iPad or iPhone and various Android products.
Fusion has addressed a lot of the problems that many boating enthusiasts have faced in the past. For instance, instead of having to live with annoying noise interference on your boat, you can actually hear and enjoy clear audio sound reproduction above engine, wind and ambient noise present on most vessels. Fusion stereos are designed and engineered especially for the marine environment. They also include an AM/FM and VHF tuner, which comes in handy for weather reports (for planning and safety benefits), and of course, for entertainment.
Fusion MS-IP700 iPod and MS-AV700 DVD are priced at $499.99 and $599.99, respectively. fusionelectronics.com

AIS is an affordable and valuable safety system for vessels large and small.

By Lawrence Husick

By now, most yachtsmen have read several long articles about AIS (Automatic Identification System) that is required on SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) vessels and other large or commercial craft. With AIS operational in every major port, efficient and autonomous collision avoidance is now possible and the number of vessel collisions has fallen dramatically. Still, AIS Type A systems remain relatively expensive and complex, keeping them out of reach for most pleasure vessels. The benefits of AIS, however, are available at lower cost in Type B equipment which may be installed voluntarily by any operator. Those who operate in busy traffic lanes and harbors should consider one of these less expensive systems, as they contribute to safety and efficiency in use.
A few years ago, do-it-yourself mariners were discussing modifications to their VHF marine radios to allow reception and decoding of AIS signals. These “cheap” solutions cost about $300, not counting the cost of the VHF transceiver. Time, and Moore’s Law march on, and now such modifications are not necessary for those wanting AIS on board.
Typical of the newest breed of small AIS systems is the Raymarine AIS350 receiver. This small (6.5 in x 4 in x 2 in) device interfaces with computers through USB, Raymarine chart plotters through SeaTalk and other plotters, radars and VHF radios through NMEA0183. With a “street” price of about $430, the AIS350 receiver can chart live signals from up to 10 miles away, using a deck-level antenna. Like all AIS receivers, it shows each transmitting vessel’s speed and course, and its identification based on its registered digital selective calling Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. The full AIS data display includes vessel name, bearing, range, COG, SOG, heading, closest point of approach, time to closest time of approach, bow crossing range, bow crossing time, rate of turn, call sign and MMSI number. For those who may not have seen just how much information is captured by AIS, the chart shown of South Florida on a recent evening illustrates the value of the system. (See AIS-screenshot above.)
A short step up from the AIS350 receiver is the Raymarine AIS650 transceiver. This Type B unit allows your vessel to both send and receive AIS data, making you “live” to other traffic. The AIS650 requires installation of a dedicated GPS receiver, and features the same interfaces as the AIS350. At a street price of around $800, this unit is a relatively low-cost way to be even safer in busy harbors as it allows the “big guys” to see and avoid you, navigation rules permitting. raymarine.com
For more cost-conscious yachtsmen, Digital Yacht’s new uAIS is a self-contained AIS receiver and antenna and system. Powered by 12VDC, the small, rugged antenna system is equipped with a 5m USB cable. Plug it into a compatible PC running chart plotter software or multifunction display system, and for under $300, uAIS provides situational awareness within about a 10-mile range, providing almost any vessel the information and time to avoid collision. digitalyacht.co.uk
The value of AIS extends beyond just collision avoidance. For example, all AIS receivers can receive AIS binary messages related to safety. The Saint Lawrence Seaway transmits information about water levels, lock orders and weather using AIS. For search and rescue operations, aircraft can receive AIS, even the lower powered Type B transmissions, at ranges over 100nm.

Talk, text and email almost everywhere at sea for less than you think

By Lawrence Husick

Ten years ago we set sail from Saint Petersburg, Florida, bound for Portland, Maine. We carried a new communications technology aboard and were intent on testing its capabilities at sea: a handheld (well, almost) portable satellite telephone.  On that voyage, the telephone was the size of a large brick, weighed almost two pounds and had a battery life of about one hour. As they say, “My, how times have changed!”
The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro is one of the latest generation of fully portable, low-cost satellite telephones. Stylish, easy to use and quite inexpensive to own and operate, it has been on the market for about one year and has earned a sky-high reputation among business and adventure travelers, offshore operators and those looking for an economical global communications tool.  Offshore sailors and fishermen alike would do well to consider adding this device to their navigation stations.
The IsatPhone Pro is as easy to use as any conventional mobile telephone. It uses a SIM card which identifies the user’s account, can store his telephone book, has a long-life rechargeable battery that may be charged either from shore power of 12-volt DC or inexpensive pocket-sized solar panels, and dials just like any mobile telephone (but is always international, meaning that full country code prefixes are required).  The only obvious difference from a typical mobile telephone is the large fold-out antenna on the side of the unit, plus the fact that in most cases the telephone must be used outdoors, away from tall trees and buildings (albeit, not much of an issue for use onboard a yacht).
The Inmarsat system relies on three geostationary communications satellites orbiting at an altitude of  about 22,300 miles. Each of the three satellites remain “parked” over one spot on earth, providing overlapping coverage areas to all but the polar regions.  An advantage of this system is that there are few dropped calls – if your handset can “see” the satellite to connect to, then it will not lose sight of it during the call. This is a major advantage over land-based cellular systems and competing “low earth orbit” satellite systems. The IsatPhone Pro handset also contains a GPS chip so it can transmit your location.

The Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro is a portable, low-cost satellite telephone that should be considered by any cruiser venturing offshore.

 

Several accessories are available that increase IsatPhone Pro’s usefulness onboard. The unit supports conventional BlueTooth audio devices so it’s easy to mount the unit and use either an earpiece or speaker to talk, without having to hold the handset. A cradle unit, the iSatDock Marine, allows the handset to be mounted to a bulkhead and be connected to an antenna above-decks, as well as to conventional telephone equipment including wired and wireless handsets, thus providing full voice service anywhere aboard. Using common DECT6 wireless telephones which are widely available for about $15 each, every space aboard may have telephone service at sea or at dockside.  The dock provides power and all connections and allows the handheld unit to be unmounted at any time for remote use during shore excursions, dive trips and the like.
The IsatPhone Pro also supports a low-speed data service suitable for sending and receiving text only email, SMS to 160 characters, and small-sized file attachments, e.g., pdf files. Plus, there’s free-to-send message service at isatphonelive.com. The phone may be used to reach global rescue coordination centers, but is not a substitute for carrying an approved and registered emergency locator transmitter.
The telephone weighs about 0.6 pounds, including the battery, and a charge lasts for 100 hours on standby or 8 hours of talk-time. It is dust and splash resistant but not fully waterproof, nor does it float.  It is recommended that when used aboard it be kept in a sealed electronics bag large enough to hold the handset with its antenna deployed at a 90-degree angle from the case.  That way, the phone may be set against a bulkhead or coaming, facilitating a noise-cancelling BlueTooth headset used anywhere within 32 feet.
The IsatPhone Pro basic handset is available from a host of global retailers for about $600. Typical of satellite telephones, airtime pricing depends on the plan chosen but you should plan on about $1 per minute unless you are a heavy user of the service.  Accessories like the various mounting cradles, permanent antennas and other components are available worldwide.
Mariners know that terrestrial mobile telephones work only where there is tower coverage (typically less than 15 miles offshore), and that VHF-FM marine radios transmit only line-of-sight so it should not be depended on for ranges over the horizon (although DSC may relay Mayday signals over longer ranges). For anyone venturing offshore, the relatively low cost and high reliability of the IsatPhone Pro makes it worthy of consideration, not only as both a convenience and for the safety and peace of mind it can bring, but also for the sake of our loved ones waiting for us back ashore. isatphonelive.com / beamcomm.net

New services help keep you updated on changes in

the weather by tapping into better forecast data and alerts.

By Doug Thompson

Before electricity, forecasting weather was easy—you looked in all directions, stuck a wet thumb in the air and went with your gut. Trick knees and sinus-pressure headaches counted, too; as did unusual animal movements or a “feeling” Aunt Alice had that it was going to rain.
Then along came weather radios—and a monotone voice on the WX Channel imparting valuable information. And the WX channel still works very well, except now there’s a lot more competition, and it’s become seriously high tech. Sirius Marine Weather and XM WX Satellite Weather offer valuable services and have been integrated to work well with multifunction displays from leading marine electronics manufacturers.
Boat owners benefit from improving technology in two important areas. First, the technology used by the National Weather Service (NWS)  and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is constantly improving as more satellites are put into space and weather-monitoring devices are placed on land and in the sea. Nearly all the data that’s used by Sirius Marine Weather and XM WX Satellite Weather, the WX Channel and your local TV station is supplied by the NWS and NOAA.
Second, how the weather information is delivered is improving rapidly. The various manufacturers of multifunction displays (including Furuno, Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, and Simrad) take the weather feeds from Sirius Marine Weather and XM WX Satellite Weather and display it with nuances tailored to your needs. Various features from Sirius Marine Weather and XM WX Satellite Weather include weather radar, lightning reports, storm tracking and buoy reports, including water temperature and wave heights.
It’s important to note that Sirius XM only passes along data; it does not collect it. The NWS and NOAA data is put through a quality control process by Baron Services on the XM side, and by WSI (a Weather Channel company) for Sirius, prior to distribution. Then the individual electronics manufacturers overlay the weather data on their screens to produce information you can use while on the water.
For example, the Lowrance HDS-10 automatically tunes the screen’s color palette to reveal crucial temperature breaks for anglers using the feed from Sirius Marine Weather, as well as eddies in sea-surface temperatures.
Two manufacturers also have improved the receivers that take in the weather-data feeds from Sirius Marine Weather. Second-generation receivers from Furuno and Raymarine combine the receiver with a multi-port hub which serves as a network backbone. The one unit does double duty both as a weather receiver and network hub.
Another company that uses data from the NWS and NOAA is Baron Services (which quality controls the marine-weather data for XM), parent company of marine supplier WxWorx. Baron Services is now offering Baron QuikLink, a subscription-based marine weather data service.
Supplying graphical marine-weather information over virtually any internet connection, QuikLink provides coverage across the continental United States and southern Canada with pricing tiers starting at just $14.99 per month. Information delivered includes high-resolution NEXRAD radar, wave heights, storm tracking, high-resolution sea surface temperatures, buoy observations, surface wind speed, and more. More information is available at baronservices.com/quiklink.
Also, WxWorx is now supplying super-resolution Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data to the XM WX Satellite Weather service. The enhanced SST data is immediately available at no extra charge to subscribers of the Master Mariner data package. Compatible with most PCs, WxWorx on Water is the first XM WX-enabled software capable of displaying the higher resolution SST dataset. Support for the new SST data will be enabled through a free software update now available on wxworx.com.
While other sea temperature data products can have gaps caused by clouds and missed satellite passes, the new dataset is derived from multiple satellite sources, employing advanced mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict missing temperature values and fill in any gaps.