Trimble, a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, acquired the privately held Pacific Crest Corporation this month.
Pacific Crest Corporation specializes in products applicable to outdoor operating environments around the world. Their Environmental Data Links are rugged, reliable, radio modems that connect sensors to computers.
Pacific Crest’s products include solutions for precision RTK GPS applications that include surveying and machine control and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) wireless applications for weather stations, aquaculture and offshore monitoring.
Depending on the region or country, the RF output power is limited by regulations. In the U.S., the limit for RF power in survey itinerant operations is 35 Watts. In Europe, the regulations vary from country to country.
The data link often features a 19,200 bps data rate in the VHF or UHF band. A packet-based protocol in a dust-proof, all-weather enclosure, with built-in antenna and pole mounts deliver signals reliably in harsh conditions. The PACTOR mode has evolved from a pure Amateur Radio mode into a mode for world wide professional data transmission on shortwave.
Additional options include:
- Iridium and Globalstar use satellites in a much lower orbit than those of Inmarsat for operation of handheld satphones. Globalstar offers voice and a data speed of 9600 bps, while arch-rival Iridium operates at only 2400 bps.
- Inmarsat’s Mini-M, in addition to placing and receiving telephone and fax calls, is capable of transmitting emails at the rate of 2400 bits per second (bps).
- Inmarsat C is the granddaddy of satellite email. Third in a line of satellite systems, Inmarsat C offers a very simple text-only email system to ocean cruisers in all oceans between 70 N and 70 S.
- The SkyMate 100 Satellite Communicator connects to your PC and offeres several services like Automatic Position Reports and Systems Monitoring. Service Plans start at $15.99 per month.
- KVH’s TracNet system allows boats to maintain high speed Internet connectivity while at sea (and at the dock).
- Spot Beam Satellites operated by SES AMERICOM and Wild Blue have footprints that extend hundreds of miles off the west coast.
- Cellular data phones, of course, can extend 15 to 20 miles using Sprint Wireless, Cingular or Verizon’s EV-DO and a Sony/Ericson EDGE card, Sierra Card, Motient or even integrated PocketPC/WiFi Phones, like the HP iPAQ h6315, Qtek 9090m Sprint’s Audiovox PPC-6600 or Motorola MPx.
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Digital Antenna s PowerMax DA4000SBR ($699.95) increases signal strength and improves cellular communication without a physical connection to cell phone. This amplifier/repeater boosts the performance and range of a cell phone up to 50 miles. Works on 800 and 1900 MHz bands. The DA4000SBR is the only FCC approved amplifier/repeater for use with all cell carriers in the USA and Canada, including Cingular, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Alltel and T-Mobile. Nextel users see model #DA4000N.
- Boater’s Mini Web is a store-and-forward system which charges by the character rather than by the minute. For well under a thousand dollars, you can purchase their black box email system which connects to your computer and a VHF-style whip antenna.
- SailMail uses High frequency (HF) radios. For marine frequencies, transmissions are always made in single-sideband (SSB) mode. SailMail is a non-profit association of members who each contribute $200 to keep the system running. In return for this $200 annual fee, members are allotted up to 10 minutes each day during which they can use their computer, SSB radio, and Pactor modem to send and receive email.
- MarineNet, founded by amateur radio operator John Heron is the email software optimized for use over slow speed connections. In addition to automatically compressing email messages, it allows the user to view a message and delay downloading large attachments until a fast connection is available (typically onshore).
- WinLink is for boaters who are in possession of a ham license. It offers free email with a station network of over 30 locations, but you can’t conduct business related communications over amateur frequencies.
MarineComputer.com has the latest developments in satcom with a comparison chart (above). Broadband is a life-saving technology used by many public service agencies.
Other maritime communications providers include:
- Thrane and Thrane – world’s largest supplier of shipboard satellite communications terminals (Denmark)
- Palantir – software to maintain shipboard computers from shore (Norway)
- JRC – world’s largest supplier of maritime electronics (Japan)
- Nera – major satellite communications terminal manufacturer (Norway)
- Meteo Consult supplier of weather information for ships (Netherlands)
- Maritime Communications Partner – provider of GSM cellular phone services onboard ships
- OTESAT Maritel – LESO satellite and maritime telecommunications
- Dualog – ship shore data communication.
- Laycan – online software for chartering and voyage management (Norway)
- C-MAP – electronic chart systems
- New Skies and their Broadband Maritime offer broadband communications services for ships at sea.
- Danaos – maritime operations software and IT outsourcing
