AIS y el transpondedor de radar
When we explain the functionalities of an AIS class B Transponder, we are often asked if that is the same as a radar transponder. The answer is clearly no. A radar transponder is an emergency device included in the internationally proposed GMDSS measures for search and rescue at sea, i.e., a radar transponder is used at critical situations, to detect radar targets at emergencies. This system is also called SART (Search And rescue Radar Transponder)
It works by answering to a radar eco signal. That is why it is sometimes called “responder”. When activated, it starts transmitting signals as soon as it detects one from a radar. It is expected to be mandatory in Spain since 2009.
Therefore, essential differences between a radar transponder and AIS, are:
- SART does not work on a regular basis, but only under emergency situations.
- SART does not identify ships, only sends a signal that lets a radar know that there is somebody out there.
- Therefore, SART does not let you tracking a fleet, and identifying them; it is only able to show unidentifiable targets with no extra information.
AIS has nevertheless it’s own emergency standard, proposed by IMO here. The proposal is the AIS-SART, not to be confused with the radar transponder, since it actually means: AIS Search And Rescue Transmitter. But we will write about this in future posts.
Mejoras en el PC a bordo
We are always wondering how to improve the PC’s reliability and consumption on board. Producers of PC are starting to bet on new storage devices able to improve notably both issues. We are talking about the SSD or Solid State Drive.
We’ve seen that PDA and other portable devices already use memory cards, but not conventional laptops just yet.
The risk of using a conventional PC on board is that hard disks are very fragile, and thus very likely to suffer damages caused by vibrations and sudden waves hitting on your boat.
Additionally, the consumption of hard disks is higher due to the mechanical components and ventilation.
In the next few weeks we will inform you about the new True Heading’s PC specially designed for marine use, that incorporates this technology.
Productos
Please, click on the differente categories to know our products and services:
Installation of radiocommunications equipment
Information about our fleet control web services will be available here soon.
Una foto del stand de Madrid
A little bit late, but we just found a picture from a cell phone of our stand in Madrid. Hope we can upload another one from Palma’s exhibition next week.
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Plan La Rueda y LTP
We’ve just launched officially a plan for the associates of two of the most active nautical associations in Spain, La Rueda de los Navegantes and La Taberna del Puerto.
This offer applies to the members in Spain.
The plan has two parts:
Firstly, we offer our class B transponders for a tiny price of €545+VAT (applicable in Spain)=€632.20. This offer applies until June 15th.
Secondly, if you talk to your Marina/Harbour and they accept our proposal, all the users in that harbour will be able to get them for the same price plus VAT (where applicable).
Thanks to our system, we will know the time that each boater is sailing every year, so we will launch in the next few weeks the “lobo de mar” competition. A price of €1000 will given this year to that competitor that sails the highest number of hours in a year. Basis of this competition will be released very soon in this website.
We will explain the plan more carefully as we advance in its development.
