Great to see that more and more marine electronics and communications functions are being integrated. Not only on a hardware level, but definitely also on a software level. What I really like about Uniden's MYSTIC, a full VHF/GPS Mapping Marine Radio, are simple functions like having a buddy list. Product design that starts with user needs is something we don't see often enough.
"Uniden is making an emphatic comeback with its new Mystic, a strikingly original and well-executed marriage of a full-on Magellan hand-held WAAS-GPS plotter and the first portable DSC-VHF radio with advanced functions like buddy lists. The two work together, plotting the origin point of incoming DSC calls and including your position with your outgoing calls (for fun or in distress). In my testing, the submersible unit demonstrated long battery life and solid performance. It comes with U.S. street and buoy maps and supports Magellan's full-detail BlueNav charts. The Mystic, which is 13" tall and lists for $699, is not a trivial gizmo to clip on your belt, but -wow!- is it capable."
It's a fact that some of the military R&D spending will find its way back to the tax payer since innovative technologies are being applied in a commercial context at a later stage. For us boaters who have an interest in yacht automation, the U.S. Navy High Speed Vessel (HSV) SWIFT (at 294t long, it has a top-speed of 45 knots per hour) might trigger further innovation in this field. Computerworld takes a closer look at the technologies that have been deployed on this ship.
"The U.S. Navy has a new ship in its fleet that officers say may be the most technologically advanced vessel produced to date, with IT capabilities that are revolutionizing naval warfare and may play a vital role in responding to potential terrorist attacks in the U.S. The HSV (High Speed Vessel) 2 Swift, a 294-foot, aluminum-hulled catamaran, has a crew of only 42 sailors, but the lack of manpower is made up with extreme levels of automation. Nearly every function of the ship, from navigation and steering to engine and damage control, is conducted and monitored using commercial, off-the-shelf hardware and software."
The BBC discusses a simple set up for sending and receiving email at remote locations, in this case the Solomon Islands. Key to this solution is WaveMail, software that is being used by sailors as well since it is especially developed with low bandwith situations in mind.
"The system runs on software called WaveMail, which works with the HF radios in villages. "We are using old technology but it is robust," said Mr Rausi. "This laptop is quite old but it does the work. In the end we have to look at what is affordable in villages. The People First Network is not about the technology. It is about improving the standard of living of people in rural areas. "The social side is more important than the technology.""
In an article discussing assistive technologies in sailing I came across YachtAware, a company which creates integrative technology that connects navigational instruments to a main computer. In this case it helped disabled people compete in the Transpac, but it could be a good solution for many.
"YachtAware installed one of its systems on the B'Quest. It placed sensors all over the 40-foot yacht: including the sails, the hull, water tanks, and the engines. The sensors are hooked up to the main computer that provides instant information and makes recommendations on a course of action. The sensors also sound an alarm when someone goes beyond the railing, possibly falling overboard. "It even translates Morse code, which I don't know," Miyares said. "It's important to communicate to other ships during emergencies." Also, if the boat breaks away from its anchor the YachtAware system calls the skipper's cell phone to relay what happened."
A nice example of how the internet is improving life at sea can be found in California where the US Coast Guard is moving to issuance of the Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) exclusively via the Internet. Now if they would just start using the Ghost Guard as well....
"For many years, each U.S. Coast Guard district has printed and mailed LNM free of charge to any mariner requesting a subscription. LNM provide important safety information; however, the cost of printing and mailing has become prohibitive. Technology now allows us to provide LNM in a timelier and less costly manner via the Internet. All individuals are encouraged to register for List Server notification on the Navigation Center’s Website, so when LNM are posted for the district(s) in which you are interested, you will receive automatic notification of their availability."
If your communications, networking and securtity needs are extensive you'd might consider Virtek's CommBox. It combines a router, email server, least cost route switch, and lot's of other features in one box. Altough developed with large vessel requirements in mind, increasingly private yachts will be equiped with these types of solutions as well.
"CommBox is designed not only for today's data communication requirements, but also with the future in mind. Anything that can communicate through the Internet can communicate through CommBox. CommBox supports all standard mail clients. It can run as a stand-alone e-mail server or as a mail relay server to enhance the performance of existing mail systems. CommBox utilizes dedicated black box technology for superior stability compared to software solutions. Configuration is easy as any user with privileges can control CommBox from any computer in the network with a web browser. CommBox supports all dial-up connections, MPDS and leased line."
Tom Isitt, in his editorial piece for the Motor Boat & Yachting May issue, confesses that he always reads the manual of the gadgets he buys. Lot's of people do not, and that's probable not very smart.
"But I know plenty of people who don't. Whether it's because they're too idle or too disinterested, they just can't bring themselves to do it. Or maybe I do it because I'm a total saddo.When I buy a new gizmo (and believe me, I buy lots) I have to read the manual. To my mind, there's no point in having some clever gizmo if you don't know what it will do, and don't know how to get it to do the things you want it to do. My mobile, my iPod, my GPS, my PDA, my multi-function digital chronograph, the five boxes that sit beneath my TV. I've read the manuals. I actually like reading the manuals. Even the manuals that make no sense, like the one for my KTM that was written by an Austrian with a very warped grasp of English."
At $2,200 definitely not the cheapest, but surely one of the most ruggedized Pocket PC's. But as far as I can see it's lacking any wireless connectivity, making it a bit useless for maritime purposes. Although you could use its two CompactFlash slots, protected from rain, wind and dust by the The standard CF-CapTM O-ring sea, to add Bluetooth or Wi-Fi cards.
"The TDS Recon is a ruggedized Pocket PC that can withstand drops, extreme temperature change, high altitude (outside of a plane, even), and immersion in water. Trusted Reviews smacked one of the rubber-clad PDAs around but couldn't get the little bastard to die, even after dropping it and dunking it in a sink of dishwater (as seen in the dramatic animated GIFs). A little part of me was disappointed that it didn't break; It pleases me to think of handing back a $2,200 review unit in pieces, with a shrug."
Following up on a detailed description of how EPIRBs work and how calls for help are handled by various authorities, this (not yet available online) Ocean Navigator newsletter elaborates on how to choose the best EPIRB(s) in a specific situation, how to use them properly and when to use other technologies.
"Possibly the most exciting new MOB device is a PLB now used successfully by many single-handed ocean racers. When the wearer of this small transmitter travels more than a short distance from the onboard receiver, the unit steers the vessel head-to-wind. In theory, this stops the vessel, allowing the MOB to catch the vessel and climb back onboard. If the MOB is not back onboard within 10 minutes, the ship�s EPIRB is automatically activated."
Not so long ago I was joking about the possibility of having a 3D compass which would not require any special glasses. Well, there's one, the Teeter-Todter (pdf) 3D Compass.
"Housed in a tough, light weight enclosure about the size of a domino, the TT compass sensor provides responsive, rock solid heading, and for suitably equipped interfaces, pitch (trim) and roll (heel). Ockam 033Teeter-Todter 3-D Compass. Inside the TT magnetometers and accelerometers rapidly produce super accurate, stable data. PC based software connected with Ockam�s quick-connect wiring harness provides control of output parameters and compass calibration (once set and calibrated, the PC is easily removed from the setup). Numerous instrument system functions are greatly enhanced by this superb compass."
Great to see that more and more marine electronics and communications functions are being integrated. Not only on a hardware level, but definitely also on a software level. What I really like about Uniden's MYSTIC, a full VHF/GPS Mapping Marine Radio, are simple functions like having a buddy list. Product design that starts with user needs is something we don't see often enough.
It's a fact that some of the military R&D spending will find its way back to the tax payer since innovative technologies are being applied in a commercial context at a later stage. For us boaters who have an interest in yacht automation, the U.S. Navy High Speed Vessel (HSV) SWIFT (at 294t long, it has a top-speed of 45 knots per hour) might trigger further 
The BBC 
In an 
A nice example of how the internet is improving life at sea can be 
"CommBox is designed not only for today's data communication requirements, but also with the future in mind. Anything that can communicate through the Internet can communicate through CommBox. CommBox supports all standard mail clients. It can run as a stand-alone e-mail server or as a mail relay server to enhance the performance of existing mail systems. CommBox utilizes dedicated black box technology for superior stability compared to software solutions. Configuration is easy as any user with privileges can control CommBox from any computer in the network with a web browser. CommBox supports all dial-up connections, MPDS and leased line."
Tom Isitt, in his editorial 
At $2,200 definitely not the cheapest, but surely one of the most ruggedized Pocket PC's. But as far as I can 
Following up on a detailed 
Not so long ago I was