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ICS Nav 6
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ICS Nav 7
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Navtex comes free as an international messaging service. It is an integral part of GMDS - Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, the coordinating means by which all radio communications devices are controlled. In the UK the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) gathers weather information, navigational warnings and Search and Rescue info from the Coastguard.
Looking ahead to the London Boat Show we will start to bring you news of the products to be launched at the show. On the electronics stands there will be some new Navtex receivers. But first some background…
ICS Nav 6
When the ICS Nav 6 receiver was launched in 2002 it received 'Best product' reviews from the yachting press. It will be interesting to see how the next generation fares.
ICS Nav 7
We are told that one of the new products being shown at London for the first time will be the ICS Nav 7, a dual channel NAVTEX receiver according to the specification it has a large, easy to read, daylight viewable colour LCD screen.
Like most Navtex receivers it will be easy to fit - a simple matter of plugging in the antenna and switching on the power supply. You'll probably have to wait for a while though until the first messages start to appear.
The styling of this set is certainly very different from other products on the market which mostly tend to be very basic in appearance; this one 'looks like' a piece of high tech equipment. The NAV 7 is the first NAVTEX using a landscape screen format, giving a paper-like image. The shape makes it easy to install into a boat's cockpit or nav. station, we are told that the high clarity screen and adjustable backlight makes it easy to read the important weather and navigational data messages.
The product is GMDSS approved - suitable for commercial vessels - and meets the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) regulations, it more than meets the needs of recreational boaters. It supports reception of all three IMO NAVTEX frequencies, including inshore forecasts and three-day weather outlook for the UK.
The unit also offers dual channel monitoring of a further two channels. The 518 kHz English language service, which gives weather, navigational warnings and safety information, is always in view, and either the 490 KHz national language or 4209.5 KHz long range service can be selected and viewed at the same time.
You will probably know that Navtex messages are identified by prefix letters: A = Navigational warnings, D = Search and Rescue, J = Satellite navigation messages. These tend to be the same all over the world with only a few national changes.
Some of the UK Message codes:
A = Navigational warnings
B = Weather warnings
C = Ice reports
D = Search and rescue information
E = Weather forecasts
F = Pilot service messages
In the UK category L is used for submarine and firing range info. Again in the UK V is used for additional navigation warnings.
On this set colour headings are used to clearly identify message types and contents, and there's a powerful automatic sorting feature so messages view on screen can be sorted by channel, station ID, message category or age. An indexed message listing page allows for a quick search with direct access to the full message text.
As Navtex is transmitted on a medium frequency the aerial can be fitted in a convenient position not high up on the mast. It can in fact be fitted inside the cabin if you have room.
Marine electronics and safety equipment manufacturer McMurdo will be displaying its new and enhanced product range on Stand S2111 at the London Boat Show. For more information visit www.mcmurdo.co.uk.
