Monthly Archives: March 2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LORAN

* Alan’s Note: I remember those Loran Charlie lines on charts from when I was in the U.S. Navy (1977 – 1981) and taking Loran C readings from the receiver and plotting them on the chart. I also remember something called Omega that was a similar radio navigation system where readings were plotted onto special charts. No doubt most marine vessels have switched to GPS for long range navigation in the deep blue seas, as well as using GPS, Radar, and Visual means for inland and coastal (cruising) passages. So Loran C has gone bye bye … she sure was a good ship.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/Loran/default.htm

*** Special Notice Regarding LORAN Closure: *** In accordance with the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard terminated the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals on 08 Feb 2010. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue temporarily in accordance with international agreements. You may read more and download pertinent documents via our LORAN-C page.

LORAN-C GENERAL INFORMATION

LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radionavigation service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well as most of Alaska. Twenty-four U.S. LORAN-C stations work in partnership with Canadian and Russian stations to provide coverage in Canadian waters and in the Bering Sea. They system provides better than 0.25 nautical mile absolute accuracy for suitably equipped users within the published areas. and provides navigation, location, and timing services for both civil and military air, land and marine users. It is approved as an en route supplemental air navigation system for both Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system serves the 48 continental states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska. Dedicated Coast Guard men and women have done an excellent job running and maintaining the LORAN-C signal for 52 years. It is a service and mission of which the entire Coast Guard can be proud.

LORAN-C Termination Information

The Coast Guard published a Federal Register notice on Jan. 7, 2010, regarding its intention to terminate transmission of the LORAN-C signal Feb. 8, 2010. A LORAN Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision stating that the environmentally preferred alternative is to decommission the LORAN-C Program and terminate the North American LORAN-C signal was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 7, 2010.

The Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 allowed for termination of the LORAN-C signal on January 4, 2010, after certification from the Commandant of the Coast Guard that it was not needed for maritime navigation and from the Secretary of DHS that it is not needed as a backup for GPS. Full details are contained in Section 559 of this act which can be found at the Government Printing Office website (clicking on the link will open a new window).

In accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals effective 2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will be unusable and permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue in accordance with international agreements. The Canadian Coast Guard has also issued a statement, which is shown on their website.

You may view the estimated remaining LORAN-C signal coverage areas of these international chains in Appendix B, pages B-6 through B-9 of the Specification of the LORAN-C Transmitted Signal, COMDTINST M16562.4A. The entire Specification may be downloaded also.

The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners currently using LORAN-C for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become familiar with its operation as soon as possible. Mariners will not be able to rely upon LORAN-C for navigation as of Feb. 8, 2010.

LORAN-C has, as a result of technological advancements in the last 20 years, became an antiquated system no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation’s security interests and is used only by a small percentage of the population. The Coast Guard understands that LORAN-C is still used by a small segment of the public and that those users will have to shift to GPS or other systems; however, continued use of limited resources to operate LORAN-C is no longer prudent use of taxpayer funds and is not allowed under the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act.

The Coast Guard has enjoyed a long and close relationship with the many communities located near LORAN-C facilities and we value those relationships. The Coast Guard will continue to honor those relationships by working to minimize any adverse impacts to communities caused by site closures.

The decision to cease transmission of the LORAN-C signal reflects the president’s pledge to eliminate unnecessary federal programs.

(More information, if needed, at: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/Loran/default.htm)

–
Alan Spicer

DBA Alan Spicer Telcom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
Computer Services, Wired/Wireless Networking,
Cell/Sat/Landline Communications, General Consulting…
Marine, Business, Small Office and Home Office (SOHO)

* Cost Savings and Integration of Multiple Internet Technologies
on board Sail and Motor Yachts * Documentation, Operating
Instructions, and Support after the Sale *

* http://www.marinetelecom.net/
* http://www.internetforyachts.net/
* http://www.wifiyacht.net/
* 954-683-3426

Mobile Internet! Step up to the HSPA 3G Fast Internet!

Ericsson W35 released in the USA. This you’ve gotta SEE!!
Better looking presentation than W25 (you might not want to
hide this one in the Doghouse!) + High Speed Upload which
the W25 did not have.
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Ericsson_W35/

Livewire: Access Controller (Service Selector):
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Livewire_Service_Selector/

ARRL News:http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/16/11254/?nc=1

Hams Help Out with Sea Rescue
When Dave Nicholson, N2AWE, was stranded at sea earlier this month off the Bermuda Triangle, he had no fuel and his 47 foot sailboat had sustained severe damage in a storm. When they learned of his predicament, hams with the Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) helped to coordinate with the US Coast Guard to bring fuel and a tow boat to guide Nicholson safely to port.

On December 1, Nicholson contacted the MMSN seeking weather information, telling the Net Control Station he had sustained damage to his boat during some foul weather the previous night. “His sails were damaged beyond usability, a fuel tank had busted loose and numerous other problems were at hand, including the remaining fuel had been contaminated,” Richard Webb, NF5B, told the ARRL. “The net provided him with weather guidance and forecasts for his part of the world — between Bermuda and the Bahamas — and he went on his way.”

Nicholson again contacted the MMSN each day on the next two days. On December 3, he asked for some weather routing, not just a forecast. “I then ran a phone patch to a recognized weather router in Florida for him,” Webb recounted. “We also queried him as to his status, food and water availability and such. He told us his wife, who was with him, was a bit battered and bruised during the storm [that damaged their boat].” The next day, the MMSN arranged for Herb Hilgenberg, VE3LML, a marine weather router, to be on frequency to offer assistance to Nicholson.

Bill Sturridge, KI4MMZ, telephoned Fred Moore, W3ZU, asking for Moore to come on 40 meters to assist with getting the Coast Guard in touch with Nicholson. “We made several phone patches between the US Coast Guard in Miami and Nicholson,” Moore said. “”We also established a radio watch to maintain regular communications with the vessel until the band went long, due to the fact that Nicholson was too near Florida.” Coast Guard officials spoke with Nicholson, but he still was not ready to declare an emergency. “He just wanted to make the Coast Guard aware of his situation,” Moore said.

According to Moore, the Coast Guard asked him to maintain a watch on 2182 kHz until shorter skip returned the next day. “Over Saturday evening, the Coast Guard attempted to have a vessel rendezvous with Nicholson to transfer some fuel, but Nicholson refused to take any fuel, as he wasn’t sure if he could store it or utilize it at this point,” Webb said. “On Sunday afternoon around 1700 UTC, I conducted a phone patch to the Coast Guard from Nicholson. During this patch, we discussed possible fuel deliveries. The Coast Guard said they would put out a request for nearby commercial vessels to provide some diesel fuel for Nicholson.”

Webb said that Nicholson “could only rely on a solar panel to charge his batteries to operate his radio equipment and what other electronics had survived [the storm]. He had no autopilot, no navigational computer, no Winlink or other capability. He had the ham bands and the VHF marine channel 16 available, but with limited battery power.”

Because of Nicholson’s precarious situation, Webb said that MMSN decided to “guard on 40 and 80 meters for the nighttime hours and we arranged with operators to guard those frequencies. Nicholson did not make any of the nighttime schedules, which followed the regular two hour pattern set up over the previous days. Even if Dave did not make the other daytime schedules, he always made the 1700-1800 time slot on 14300 kHz to get the weather and update us on his position.”

On December 7, Webb conducted another phone patch between the Coast Guard and Nicholson. The Coast Guard said they would send out another message for vessels to assist with a fuel delivery. “Later that afternoon,” Webb told the ARRL, “we relayed a message to Nicholson from the Coast Guard that a tanker would endeavor to rendezvous with him to transfer some diesel fuel.”

Moore said that the Coast Guard had located a Swedish commercial merchant ship that was willing to provide Nicholson some much needed diesel fuel. “In the wee hours of the morning,” he said, “the captain of the commercial vessel advised me that he had delivered the fuel but the engine on Nicholson’s boat was not functioning, was dead in the water without lights and was, in his words, a ‘hazard to navigation.’” Webb relayed that the commercial vessel’s captain had advised Nicholson to “abandon [the boat] and turn in a claim to the insurance carrier right away.” Later that day, the Coast Guard located a seagoing tug to go on site and meet up with Nicholson. The tug then towed his family and boat to Nassau, arriving 36 hours later, around 2000 UTC.

Steve Carpenter, K9UA, told the ARRL that he kept Nicholson’s father informed of the rescue via landline, per Nicholson’s request: “The father — who is 88 years young — was very thankful for all the effort taken by the ham radio operators involved and for the time it took to keep him informed until the final report that his son and family aboard were taken into port safe and sound.”

–
Alan Spicer

DBA Alan Spicer Telcom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
Computer Services, Wired/Wireless Networking,
Cell/Sat/Landline Communications, General Consulting…
Marine, Business, Small Office and Home Office (SOHO)

* Cost Savings and Integration of Multiple Internet Technologies
on board Sail and Motor Yachts * Documentation, Operating
Instructions, and Support after the Sale *

* http://www.marinetelecom.net/
* http://www.internetforyachts.net/
* http://www.wifiyacht.net/
* 954-683-3426

Mobile Internet! Step up to the HSPA 3G Fast Internet!

Ericsson W35 released in the USA. This you’ve gotta SEE!!
Better looking presentation than W25 (you might not want to
hide this one in the Doghouse!) + High Speed Upload which
the W25 did not have.
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Ericsson_W35/

Livewire: Access Controller (Service Selector):
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Livewire_Service_Selector/

W4WLO – is net control this evening, starting at 20:00 Eastern Time (+4 Q) or 00:00 UTC (GMT) Time.

Why is that important? Well not critically important, just interesting. You will find WLO on the pre-programmed “ITU Channels” of most modern Marine SSB Radios. This is an Amateur Radio Operation, on Amateur Radio Bands, at a Special Station located at or near WLO. WLO normally operates in Marine SSB bands, but this is an Amateur Radio License “W4WLO”. The MMSN, see below, operates in Amateur Radio Frequencies. * Anyway the Net Control for the MMSN (on Amateur Radio 14.300 Mhz) was Rene Stiegler, and I didn’t even know this, but read…

http://goose–bumps.com/radio.htm 

(part of which says the following:)

These days cruisers have a radio telephone operators permit so they can use their VHF marine radio to talk boat-to-boat and boat-to-shore to ensure their safety and for recreation. Just fill out the FCC forms, send them $75 (2000) and you’ll receive a non-expiring license that permits you to use the VHF.

The VHF radio is the work horse of communications on-board and indispensable while cruising. But once you’re more than say 10 miles from shore, VHF radio is out of range of most shore stations and not of much use in an emergency unless another boat is nearby. There are alternatives.

A high frequency (HF) communications radio, broadcasting voice using single side band (SSB), has the ability to communicate around the world conditions permitting. With the addition of a ships station license from the FCC ($110 for 10 years when we applied for ours in 2001) and the same radio operators permit you need for the VHF radio, you can install and use this equipment on your boat to communicate with other boats and with shore stations around the world. The marine SSB is used on specific frequencies reserved for maritime use and the US Coast Guard still monitors several SSB safety channels reserved for emergency use (the channels will change once digital selective calling (DSC) is implemented world wide).

If you pick the right SSB radio and also get an amateur radio license, you can extend the utility of the transceiver to also include frequencies allocated to radio amateurs. For the cruiser, this means you can communicate with radio amateurs around the world and, conditions & shore equipment permitting, an obliging ham ashore can even connect you through local phone lines so that you can talk to people ashore who don’t have a radio. No business conversations are permitted, but you can contact family and friends.

The days when AT&T operated marine radio stations around the world are gone. In an earlier revision of this info I said the last remaining US radiotelephone station, WLO in Mobile, AL, had gone under. Not true! It was rescued by Rene Stiegler and is now operating as ShipCom LLC with remote transmitters on the west coast controlled from Mobile. See the note below:

Note: I was informed that WLO is up and running on a 24/7 schedule. Here’s the note I received from Rene Stiegler on 2 Nov 2003:
Greetings

I stumbled upon your web page while surfing the net. Under radio communiations you erroneously state that WLO radio is out of business. We are still in operation 24 hrs per day 7 days per week. Try SSB voice ITU channels 405 824 1212 1641 2237.

We also operate voice from KLB near Seattle on channels 417 805 1209 1624.

Fair winds and following seas!

Rene Stiegler
Rene@shipcom.com

WLO WCL KLB KNN 
 (end of that quote.)

http://www.mmsn.org/ is the MMSN Home Page, see also: http://14300.net/

See: http://www.qrz.com/db/w4wlo for information on W4WLO call sign…

W4WLO

WLO RADIO CLUB

7700 RINLA AVE

MOBILE, AL 36619

USA
The WLO Radio club is located at the facilities of Maritime Public Coast Station WLO operated by ShipCom http://www.shipcom.com

ShipCom is the United States ‘ only provider of HF SSB radiotelephone ship-to-shore service through its network of public coast stations. ShipCom also provides VHF radiotelephone, ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship radio-telex, telegrams, HF SSB email, and satellite communications.

* See also: http://www.coastalradio.org.uk/worldcoastal/mobilemarine/mobile.htm and http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/commar.htm and http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/ham.htm 

* Other interesting NETs for the East Coast / Caribbean is: http://caribwx.com/ssb.html - Note: This is Marine SSB Radio and not Amateur Radio Frequencies. Appropriate Licensing is required. http://www3.sympatico.ca/hehilgen/vax498.htm - Note: This is Marine SSB Radio and not Amateur Radio Frequencies. Appropriate Licensing is required. 

–
Alan Spicer

DBA Alan Spicer Telcom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
Computer Services, Wired/Wireless Networking,
Cell/Sat/Landline Communications, General Consulting…
Marine, Business, Small Office and Home Office (SOHO)

* Cost Savings and Integration of Multiple Internet Technologies
on board Sail and Motor Yachts * Documentation, Operating
Instructions, and Support after the Sale *

* http://www.marinetelecom.net/
* http://www.internetforyachts.net/
* http://www.wifiyacht.net/
* 954-683-3426

Mobile Internet! Step up to the HSPA 3G Fast Internet!

Ericsson W35 released in the USA. This you’ve gotta SEE!!
Better looking presentation than W25 (you might not want to
hide this one in the Doghouse!) + High Speed Upload which
the W25 did not have.
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Ericsson_W35/

Livewire: Access Controller (Service Selector):
http://www.marinetelecom.net/Livewire_Service_Selector/

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/031810-wall-street-beat-tech-pushes.html

Growing confidence has pushed the value of IT company shares up to levels not seen since late 2008, when the implosion of Wall Street sucked the air out of credit markets and dried up technology sales.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq hit an 18-month high Thursday, closing at 2391, its highest point since the end of August 2008. The broader Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index rose to 17-month highs.

Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy 18 months ago this week, on Sept. 15, 2008. In the wake of the bank’s failure, the financial industry and virtually all stock exchanges went into a tailspin. Tech companies suffered along with businesses in every sector.

This week, good macroeconomic news had a lot to do with the across-the-board market increases. For example, the Labor Department Thursday eased inflation fears with a report that its Consumer Price Index for February was flat, following a 0.2 percent increase in January. The Labor Department also said in a separate report that initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 5,000 in the week to March 13. Earlier in the week, the Federal Reserve Board said its federal funds rate would remain near zero at least for the short term, in a sign that it still wants to keep interest rates low, a move that encourages lending and spending.

Tech vendors, however, have been helped by a steady stream of upbeat IT-specific news, and have led other sectors in the recovery from recession lows of a year ago. Nasdaq computer stocks are up by 73 percent in the past 12 months, while telecom stocks have jumped 53 percent during the same period. In comparison, the broader Dow Jones composite has risen 44 percent in the past 12 months.

(more at the link above…)

—

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net – http://www.wifiyacht.net

+1 954 683 3426

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

Many of you may know that we sell Ericsson Cellular Mobile Broadband Routers, Satellite Systems for Marine, and WiFi Hotspot Sharing Systems (www.wifiyacht.net) for Marine, but… You may not know that we also come onboard and do Site Surveys and can explain to you what you have as far as Internet and Voice Communications, as well as Computer Systems. We often get called on Captain or crew changes to come decypher the existing systems and make recommendations for upgrades or improvements. Methods to implement least-cost routing of Internet Data and Voice Calling are offerred.

We also do general Laptop and Computer Service, Upgrades, and Replacements. We build small-form-factor (about the size of a small laptop) PC Computers for Navigation and Communications machines. If you are running on older PC hardware  we can replace it with more power, memory, and a much smaller computer footprint (the space required for the computer.)

Please give a call…

—

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net – http://www.wifiyacht.net

+1 954 683 3426

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

AT&T Announces 3G MicroCell

http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/thewire/AT-and-T-Announces-3G-MicroCell_40596.html

AT&T has announced it plans to begin its national roll out of 3G MicroCell beginning in mid April, with new markets activating in cities across the continental United States for the next several months. AT&T 3G MicroCell is a femtocell to support both 3G data and voice services.

3G MicroCell allows residential customers to route wireless phone calls and data connections (or sessions) across a home broadband connection. The solution is designed to benefit customers who live in homes that have coverage impediments that consistently interrupt wireless spectrum, such as dense wall and roof construction or unfavorable terrain.

Developed in conjunction with Cisco and in a public trial in select markets since September 2009, AT&T 3G MicroCell is available for a one-time cost of $149.99.  Consumers will be able to activate the device the same day it is purchased with self-install instructions.

Minutes used through the MicroCell affect only the account of the phone making the call. There is no requirement to purchase separate service for the 3G MicroCell.

* Alan Spicer says… Ummmm, yawn uhhhhhhhhhahhh… Let me get this right:

“3G MicroCell allows residential customers to route wireless phone calls and data connections (or sessions) across a home broadband connection.”

Ummmm, what did you say? Allows residential customers THAT ALREADY HAVE INTERNET to ummmm have DATA? And Voice by cellular … ummmmm using their own BROADBAND INTERNET that they already pay for. Ahhhhhh ummmmmm why wouldn’t they just use their Internet that they already have? And use some VOIP – that’s Voice Over IP service for voice for much less than an AT&T 3G and Voice Service Plan?

Well grant it, some people, who already have the 3G AT&T and Voice and might have it working everywhere except home … or an office … might want this. Other than that it seems like time, energy, expense – that ought to spent on putting some *real* 3G into areas on “The Map”, you know the one that blocks the TV in the commericals? Who gives a sheit about peoples houses or whatever. My phone drops a lot of calls in the house too. How about uncrowding the existing 3G where it gets bad sometimes due to iPhones? Well I’ll venture to say that I’m sure those things are being “looked at”.

“such as dense wall and roof construction”

Yah… there’s something *dense* somewhere. I’m just trying to get a bead on it.

 ”Minutes used through the MicroCell affect only the account of the phone making the call. There is no requirement to purchase separate service for the 3G MicroCell.”

Um, what? the minutes from a cell phone only affect the account of the ummm cell phone? That changes *nothing*. It should be FREE while piggy-backing on the customers own Broadband Connection. I mean ummmm $300 one time for a device (I’m guessing on the price or cost) vs The Cost of Bandwidth in a Cellular Tower? AT&T just saved a bunch of money on their car insurance by switching to customers bandwidth.

* Is anybody reading this stuff????

P.S. We sell swamp land in Florida. Ummm well we also sell 3G Voice and Internet Routers – which could rather easily take an external antenna – and bring that 3G Cellular Internet into the house or business, as well as the convenience of being able to plug the “Cellular Voice” part of it into regular RJ-11 telephone equipment, say Cordless Phones, or even an Office PBX system.

So it’s not like someone didn’t *nail* this problem already. FemtoCell would basically use your broadband connection … to provide the “backbone” or “back link” to AT&T. The Internet is a given. You already had that. Voice well they are probably relaying using VOIP back to their “switches” in their network that handle voice calls. With this you could still only take your voice calls on your “cellular” device.

With, for example, Ericsson W35 – you could have your voice calls to regular (non cellular) telephone gear. The 3G Internet, let’s say your home Broadband Internet goes down, could be a backup Internet. With FemtoCell if your broadband landline (or cable modem) connection goes down … so does voice … and any 3G they were makeshifting off of it.

(This is the Kettle calling the Pot Black, signing off…)

—

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net – http://www.wifiyacht.net

+1 954 683 3426

communications (at) marinetelecom.net