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Fastnet Radio FMD15 Operator's Manual

Manual is about: Marine Radio Decoder

Summary of FMD15

  • Page 1

    Operator manual gmdss marine radio decoder fmd15 fmd september 1999 v 1.Xx.

  • Page 2: Attention

    September 1999 v 1.Xx attention important information the fmd15 has two m5 threaded holes on either side for the supplied thumb screws, so that it can be fitted to the universal mounting bracket. The length of the thumb screws has been so determined, that, together with the bracket and the lock wash...

  • Page 3: Contents

    September 1999 v 1.Xx contents page 1. Introduction 4. 1.1. Short description 4. 1.2. Operation 4. 1.3. Keypad functions 5. 2. Receiver 6. 2.1. Operation 6. 3. Decoding of messages 7. 3.1. Selecting mode and decoding 7. Message transmission types 8. 3.2. Programming of channels 9. 3.3. Recalling of ...

  • Page 4

    September 1999 v 1.Xx 6. Unoccupied 7. Nmea, printer and navigation log 26. 7.1. Printing of nmea data 26. 7.2. Activating log 27. 8. System (set up) 30. 8.1. Setting of time and date 30. 8.2. Setting of owner’s and vessel’s name 31. 8.3. Printing out system data status 32. 8.4. Memory store deletio...

  • Page 5

    September 1999 v 1.Xx 11. Technical data 52. . 11.1. General 52. 11.2. Receiver 52. 11.3. Micro controller 52. 11.4. Signal processor decoder 53. 11.5. Lcd display 53. 11.6. Thermal printer 53. 11.7. Nmea interface 53. 11.8. Power supply for active antenna 53. 11.9. Approvals 53. 12. General informa...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    1. Introduction 1.1. Short description the fastnet marine decoder fmd15contains the following functions: a) receiver a high quality receiver with the following important features: range : 1 pre-programmed channel from 100 khz to 13 mhz : 1 pre-programmed channel 518.0 khz for navtex modes : fsk and ...

  • Page 7

    1.3. Keypad functions cursor to the left answer cursor to the right answer cursor upwards scroll upwards increase values cursor downwards decrease values confirm entry activate cursor position read memory contents start decoding display memory contents switch on back-lighting start printing select (...

  • Page 8: 1.  Receiver

    1. Receiver 1.1. Operation the receiver requires practically no operation. The navtex frequency (518.0 khz) is pre-programmed further this model has one further pre-programmed frequency, according to a defined sailing region. The frequencies of a transmitting station are normally set down internatio...

  • Page 9: 3. Decoding of Messages

    3. Decoding of messages the fmd15 can store and decipher navtex, morse, rtty and sitor codes, which then can be read and/or printed out in plain language. In radio signal traffic there are many other kinds of keyed codes. As they are not for use by the general public, they cannot be decoded by the f...

  • Page 10

    Message transmission types transmission receiver decoder mode set up set up a1a – morse-telegraphy with non-damped carrier e.G. Roma cw morse a2a - morse – telegraphy in double side band method cw morse a3a – audio radio in double side band e.G. Bbc, dlt etc. * * f1b – fm telex signal from pinneberg...

  • Page 11: Code :  Rtty

    3.2.Programming the channels. Press to enter set-up menu point cursor with key to 5: channels and press . Display shows: code : rtty store : yes print : yes the following parameters can be assigned to each channel: mode code morse, rtty, sitor store decoded messages store yes/no print out decoded me...

  • Page 12: 147Khz

    3.3 recalling stored channels to recall a channel press twice the following picture appears on the display: __ 147khz ch01 rtty 50 bd this means that the receiver is receiving the pre-programmed frequency. The bottom line shows that the code being used is rtty (radio tele type) at a transmission rat...

  • Page 13: 3.4.

    3.4. Message memory the fmd15 possesses two separate independent memory stores. One for navtex messages (see chap.5) and one for morse, rtty and sitor messages. The latter has a capacity of about 15000 characters. A message of maximum 3750 characters can be stored in a data record. Should a message ...

  • Page 14

    4. Automatic reception and decoding the fmd15 has a timer function for the storage of 9 programmes. Each storage contains a starting time, stop time and the channel number of a stored frequency (similar to that in a video recorder). The transmission times of weather messages can be found in the usua...

  • Page 15

    4.1. Programming the timer function starting from standby mode: press key to call up menu 1 use key to select timer press 4.1.1. Input of new timer on/off times press once more on the display will appear: insert row from to 12:00 12:00 use the cursor keys to enter the required start and stop times a...

  • Page 16: 4.1.2.

    Keys and have an auto-repeat function, which means the selected value will increase or decrease in steps as long as the key is depressed. As long as you have not pressed you can change the value as often as required. Having checked that all values are correct press . By pressing once more you can en...

  • Page 17

    4.2. Interrupting and restarting the timer an actual timer programme can be interrupted by pressing the key. The unit will switch back automatically to the standby mode at the respective stop time. It is possible to restart the unit during operation by switching it off for approx. 3 to 5 seconds. Wh...

  • Page 18

    The display will now show, when in navtex, the list of messages with navtex identification (e.G. Ja34), and when in channel the display will show the stored messages by date and stop time in number sequence dd.Mm.Hh.Mm (day, month, hour minutes). Place cursor on selected message. Now press the key a...

  • Page 19

    "turn the pages" with the cursors and by pressing the printer will commence from the displayed page press when required or allow printing to continue until the message has ended press twice to return to standby mode.

  • Page 20

    5. Navtex, reception and decoding when the unit is in standby mode, it is automatically operating as a navtex receiver and therefore a manual activation is not necessary attention: during the reception of other stations, also when receiving a message programmed to be stored by the timer, navtex cann...

  • Page 21

    5.1. Selection of transmitting stations with cursor to position 2 – station press and the display will show: stations abcdefghijklm nopqrstuvwxyz navtex stations are identified by the letters -a- to -z-. Stations from which messages should be received are represented by capital letters, and stations...

  • Page 22

    The international definition of the letters is a = navigational warnings b = meteorological warnings c = ice reports d = sar information e = meteorological prognosis f = pilot service messages g = decca messages h = loran messages i = omega messages j = satnav messages k = messages about other elect...

  • Page 23

    5.4. Suppressing repeated messages current navtex messages are transmitted repeatedly usually every 4 or 6 hours. A repeat message, which has already been stored and printed out, can be suppressed. As before cursor on position 5 – repeat and enter. Answer the question with or and store with key 5.5 ...

  • Page 24

    5.7.Returning to standby mode this can be done either by pressing the key twice or: cursor on position 8 and press . The display will now show the standby mode. 5.8. Displaying and dealing with errors the sitor code used by navtex can recognise errors. Every data field, to which a character has been...

  • Page 25

    5.10. Current list of navtex transmission stations (02/98) north sea, gulf of bothnia, finnish gulf: bodoe r, nor lgp b 0018, 0418, 0900, 1218, 1618, 2100 cullercoats r, g, gcc g 0048, 0448, 0848, 1248, 1648, 2048 oostende r, bel ost t 0248, 0648, 1048, 1448, 1848, 2248 oostende r, bel osu m 0200, 0...

  • Page 26

    Prince rupert, can vaj d 0030, 0430, 0930, 1230, 1630, 2030 provideniya r, fe, cis upb f 0050, 0450, 0850, 1250, 1650, 2050 puerto montt, chl cbp d 0430, 1230, 2030 punta arenas, chl cbm e 0440, 1240, 2040 san francisco, usa nmc c 0400, 0800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400 singapore, jurong 9vg c 0020, 0420...

  • Page 27

    Limnos r, grc svl l 0150, 0550, 0950, 1350, 1750, 2150 malta, 9hd o 0220, 0620, 1020, 1420, 1820, 2220 mariupol r, uk, cis usu b 0100, 0500, 0900, 1300, 1700, 2300 odessa r, uk, cis utw c 0230, 0630, 1030, 1430, 1830, 2230 port elizabeth zsq i 0120, 0620, 1020, 1420, 1820, 2220 roma, i, iar r 0250, ...

  • Page 28: 7.1.

    7. Nmea printer and navigation log 7.1. Printing of nmea data the fmd15 can be used as an nmea printer. In this mode nmea signals are fed via the nmea 0183 interface unaltered to the integrated or external printer. Please note, that only data, which are defined as nmea data, can be processed. The un...

  • Page 29: 7.2.

    7.2. Activating log when connected via nmea 0183 interface to an external gps, it is possible with the fmd15 to receive, store and print out the nmea data record "gps transit specific $ gprmc", which is practically a complete record of the route. The formula for this data record must read as follows...

  • Page 30

    To control the continual amount of data, two parameters can be selected to define the information according to your personal wish. Parameter 1: time from 1 to 99 minutes you can select, in which time intervals the position should be stored, even when there has been no movement (e.G. At anchor, in be...

  • Page 31

    The fmd15 navigation log function will work even when other functions e.G. Reception, decoding are in process. Only when an incoming navtex message or a longer decoding is taking place, will the position log be interrupted, however it will commence immediately at the end of the message. At any given...

  • Page 32: 8. System (Set Up)

    8. System (set up) 8.1 setting of time and date • press key to enter the setup menu 1 • the display will show: 1 time 5 channels 2 timer 6 vessel 3 nmea 7 status 4 navtex 8 exit the cursor is already on position 1 - time • press to set the time • by using the cursors you can select the hours, minute...

  • Page 33

    8.2. Setting of owner's and vessel's names the name of the owner and of the ship can be entered into the fmd15. They will then appear on the bottom line at the end of each print out. • use the cursor to spring to position 6 – vessel • press to call up menu position 1 owner. The display will show: ab...

  • Page 34: 8.3.

    8.3. Print out of system data the following system data can be printed out: • navigation log on/off and (by on) trigger parameters • programmed reception channels and their • mode • message storage • message direct print out • programmed timer status 1 to max. 9 • unit type and version number • name...

  • Page 35: Clear Whole

    8.4. Memory store, deletion and reset all programmed system parameter data can be deleted i.E. Can be reset to the standard parameters. Equally, all stored messages can be deleted. In this case the programmed timer status, navigation log status and navtex parameters will also be deleted. It is there...

  • Page 36: 9. Installation

    9. Installation 9.1. Delivery contents please check, that the following contents, necessary for the installation of the fmd15 are supplied: • 1 pc pre-assembled power connection cable • 2 pcs universal mounting brackets • 4 pcs self holding spacers • 4 pcs lock washers m5 • 4 pcs t thumbscrews m5 • ...

  • Page 37: Attention

    Attention important information the fmd15 has two m5 threaded holes on either side for the supplied thumb screws, so that it can be fitted to the universal mounting bracket. The length of the thumb screws has been so determined, that, together with the bracket and the lock washers, they can only pen...

  • Page 38

    Dimensions: mounting holes.

  • Page 39

    Desk top mounting wall mounting:.

  • Page 40: 9.3.

    9.3. Power supply connection plug the pre-assembled cable supplied into the socket at the rear. The clip on connection is self-locking. To release, the lock clip must be pressed in the direction of the casing with a suitable tool. The unit was manufactured to operate on a supply voltage of 11v to 15...

  • Page 41: 9.4.

    9.4. Nmea interface connection using the fmd15 as navigation log or nmea printer, the nmea interface must be connected with an external nmea device (e.G. Gps) the tx+ / tx- of the external unit must be connected to the rx+ / rx- of the fmd15. 9.5. Antenna and earth connection the antenna socket is d...

  • Page 42

    Antenna – mlb long-wire for sailing yachts and – whip for motor vessels fmd15 ground-plate waterline hull insulator back-stay 10-15 m attach no other units to the back-stay! Marine balun transformer with integrated over- voltage protection (mlb) insulator coax. Cable rg58 connection cable m20-kdc us...

  • Page 43

    Md-aa active antenna cu wire min. 16mm² ground-plate earth terminal waterline coax. Cable rg58 up to 30 m rg213 over 30 m connecting cable m20-kdc use only 2-pole shielded cable filter line load f6a green/yellow white yellow please ensure that the vessel’s power supply is free of interference, eithe...

  • Page 44

    R+r active antenna fmd15 50 Ω in-put please ensure that the vessel’s power supply is free of interference, either by installing: a suppression filter between the power to the decoder, or: a separate battery (emergency supply for radio transmission and gps navigation) yellow white grn/yell grn/yell h...

  • Page 45

    9.6, printer paper change the fmd15 has a thermal printer, paper width: 80mm. The diameter of the paper roll must not exceed 45mm and the diameter of the core, no more than 12mm. The standard supplied roll has an approximate length of 25 metres and prior to reaching the end, a colour indication will...

  • Page 47: 9.7.

    9.7. Active antenna power supply the fmd15 has an integrated feeder for a power supply of 12v and maximum current consumption of 250ma, for an active antenna, which means that any interconnected supply units in the antenna cable are superfluous. This supply unit is not activated when leaving the fac...

  • Page 48: 10. Fmd15 Accessories

    10. Fmd15 accessories 10.1. 24v dc/dc converter the fmd15 can be operated with a dc/dc converter. This offers the following advantages: • input voltage range 9v to 36v • constant output voltage 12.5v this means that the fmd15 can be operated by 12v and 24v batteries. The dc/dc converter has an integ...

  • Page 49: 10.3.

    10.3. Dc936-12 dc/dc converter from 9v-36v dc to 12v dc with the dc/dc converter, dc936-12, it is possible to operate electronic 12v nominal voltage devices with a 24v on board network. Vice versa, with the 936-24,a 24v a unit can be operated with a 12v network. The maximum power consumption of the ...

  • Page 50: 10.4.

    10.4. Md-aa active antenna for fmd15, 20, 50 and 55 description: the md-aa active antenna has been specially developed and tuned for the fastnet radio gmdss marine decoder series fmdxxx, but can also be used for any other receiver in the above range. It was mainly designed for the reception of verti...

  • Page 51

    10.5. Mlb marine long-wire balun transformer for back-stay the function of the mlb is to match impedance of the high ohm long- wire stay antenna with the 50 Ω antenna input. The balun is connected to the antenna input with a shielded 50 Ω coaxial cable. This leads the antenna signal to the receiver ...

  • Page 52: 10.6.

    10.6. F3a/f6a suppression filter practically every piece of electrical or electronic equipment on board, which is connected to the vessel's power supply, such as the generator, the battery charger, pumps, refrigerator etc., cause disturbances within the power supply. This could interfere with the fu...

  • Page 53

    10.7. M20-als - active loudspeaker for fmd15 order information: m20-als active loudspeaker for fmd15 the fmd15 has an integrated lf amplifier with a loudspeaker for the acoustic reproduction of the reception signal. For the everyday use of the fmd15 this is not necessary. For testing the initial ins...

  • Page 54: 11. Technical Data

    11. Technical data 11.1. General: dimensions : receiver 222 (w) x 146 (h) x 55 (d) mm incl. Brackets 288 (w) x 170 (h) x 65 (d) mm weight : approx. 1.5 kg power supply : 12 v nominal (11 to 15 v dc), : optional 10 to 36 v consumption : 150 ma in stand-by, : 250 ma decoding : 600 ma operating, 1,2 a ...

  • Page 55

    11.4 signal-converter - decoder converter : nf pll lock system decoding : morse 40 tp 100 bpm rtty 50 baud sitor 100 baud navtex timer : 9 - user programmable 11.5. Lcd display display module : l2014 seiko or equivalent display area : 71 x 21 mm resolution : text mode 4 lines 20 rows back-lighting :...

  • Page 56

    12. Information stations, reception conditions 12.1 stations, frequencies and transmission times the most complete and exact listing is to be found in the admiralty list of radio signals volume 3 radio weather services and navigational warnings an annually up-dated edition is issued by : hydrographe...

  • Page 57

    12.3. Beaufort scale of wind force beaufort scale description average wind force in m/s average wind force in kn description in the weather chart 0 calm 1 light air 0.3 – 1.5 1 – 3 2 slight breeze 1.6 – 3.3 4 –6 3 gentle breeze 3.4 – 5.4 7 – 10 4 moderate breeze 5.5 – 7.9 11 – 15 5 fresh breeze 8.0 ...

  • Page 58

    12.4. Sea swell see table on page 417 of the admiralty list of signals np 283(1)..

  • Page 59

    12.5. Antenna reception on board today radio receivers belong to standard equipment on board all sea-going vessels. Too little attention is paid to the fact, that a receiver functions only as good as the quality of the antenna being used. What should one take into account when choosing the antenna? ...

  • Page 60

    A passive long-wire antenna installed in the best possible position with a matching impedance and a shielded lead cable, is usually sufficient to allow a satisfactory reception quality. Alternatively you can install an active antenna. The input resistance of the amplifier of an active antenna is ver...

  • Page 61

    12.6. Morse code table the fmd15 will recognise the following code and translate accordingly: morse code character remarks • – a • – • – Ä • – – • – Å,Á displayed as „a“ – • • • b – • – • c – – – – ch – • • d • e • • – • f – – • g • • • • h • • i • – – – j – • – k • – • • l – – m – • n – – • – – Ñ d...

  • Page 62

    Morse code character remarks • – – – – 1 • • – – – 2 • • • – – 3 • • • • – 4 • • • • • 5 – • • • • 6 – – • • • 7 – – – • • 8 – – – – • 9 – – – – – 0 – • – – • – ) closing parenthesis – • – – • ( opening parenthesis – • • – • / slash – • – • – • + plus symbol – – – • • • : colon • – • – • – . Period ...

  • Page 63: 13. Examples

    13. Examples 13.1. Status print out of timer parameters for baltic and north sea status information gps-log: time: 99 min distance: 9nm mode store print rtty yes no programmed timer functions: 1. From 5:30 to 5:40 2. From 6:02 to 6:06 3. From 10:10 to 10:20 4. From 11:12 to 11:35 gmdss marine radio ...

  • Page 64

    13.2. Examples of navtex print out navtex message - station wales, south coast wz 899 wales south coast - barry welsh water barry west buoy 51-22n 03-17w unlit nnn navtex 518khz sa33 12-03-94 0:53utc navtex message - station split radio split radio nav wng 243/92 since dec 16th 1992 n of cliff muld ...

  • Page 65

    13.3 example of weather report turkey. Low 1002 south of spain, moving northeast slowly. Secondary depression 1019 south of the balearic islands moving north. High 1941 hebrides weakeni ng a little, little moving west. Ridge 1025 azores stationary. Forecasts for friday, 00 utc: (d0) wind force beauf...

  • Page 66

    13.4. Example of navigation log navigation log, partial print out n a v i g a t i o n s l o g : 060999 time lat long speed cou date var 063743 5454.534 n 00946.945 e 01.0 198 060999 01 w 063945 5454.468 n 00947.084 e 00.6 113 060999 01 w 064044 5454.439 n 00947.325 e 01.7 037 060999 01 w 064544 5454...

  • Page 67: 14. Appendix

    14. Appendix 14.1. Service and maintenance your fmd15 has been designed to require only a minimum of maintenance. When changing paper rolls it is advisable to ascertain that dust that may have collected in the paper compartment is removed. There are no parts inside the case and service should be lef...

  • Page 68

    14.3. Warranty fastnet radio ag guarantees that the materials and the manufacturing of all products are delivered, according to the specifications, in a faultless condition. The guarantee period on parts and labour is 24 months after the date of purchase. Parts, subject to wear and tear, such as lam...

  • Page 69

    The guarantee commitments are not valid for damages caused by improper operation, accidents, damages, lack of servicing, water damages or damages caused by unauthorized personnel. Fastnet-radio ag will not accept responsibility for loss caused by coincidental damages out of other contracts, even whe...

  • Page 70

    Enquiry to fastnet radio ag deelböge 5-7 22297 hamburg subject: software up-date fmd15 please send me information concerning a software up-date for the fmd15 to the following address: name : __________________________________ street : __________________________________ zip code/city : ______ / _____...

  • Page 71

    14.5. Error alarm the fmd15 has an integrated control function . In case of an error, an acoustic alarm will sound. This is a combination of short and long beep tones. 14.5.1. „printer-error“ alarm should there be a fault in the printer (e.G. Paper jam or end of the paper roll), the display will sho...

  • Page 72

    14.5.2 further acoustic error alarms nr. Sequence explanation function 01 • lcd driver err_wait_01 12 −− •• lcd driver err_wait_2 02 − • lcd driver err_wait_3 04 −− •. Lcd driver err_wait_016 03 •• printer function err_prn 19 •• −− • time, date err_rtc 20 −− • − • time, date err_rtc_set 21 • − • − •...