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Intrinsically Safe Radios For Firefighters – SOLAS 2012 MSC.338(91) Regulation II-2/10.10.4

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Intrinsically Safe Radios For Firefighters – SOLAS 2012 MSC.338(91) Regulation II-2/10.10.4

IMO Regulation
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted the following amendment to SOLAS regulation II-2/10 regarding fire fighters’ communication.
“For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, a minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighter’s communication shall be carried on board. Those two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus shall be of an explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe. Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the requirements not later than the first survey after 1 July 2018.”
Rcom can help you in selecting the most competitive and suitable solution for compliance with the Intrinsically Safe Radios For Firefighters regulation.

Please contact us via email on sales@rcom.nl or call us +31 (0)180-622442 for further information and advice.

Entel Products
Entel offers a comprehensive range of marine VHF and UHF intrinsically safe portables to comply with the new SOLAS regulations for Intrinsically Safe Radios For Firefighters.
The HT Series 2.0 Marine portables are designed to endure the everyday rigours of life at sea. Highly successful with fire brigades, petrochemical, shipping, and major blue chip organizations worldwide, the HT Series 2.0 is built without compromise to deliver loud and crisp audio using the latest commander noise reduction technology.
Conforming to European IP68, the HT Series 2.0 offers the highest submergibility rating of any manufacturer. This unique series protects against corrosion, withstanding total immersion in water to a depth of 5 meters for 1 hour to protect against the likely hazards encountered in any field of operation.

Following options of Intrinsically Safe portables are available:
ATEX Approved IIC – The HT942, HT944, HT982 and HT983 ATEX certified portables meet IIC T4. The most stringent ATEX ratings as per EU directive 94/9/EC.
ATEX Approved IIA – The HT842, HT844, HT882 and HT883 ATEX certified portables meet IIA T4 with 4 watts RF power. For those users not restricted to the IIC 1 watt regulatory classification.
IECEx Approved – The HT542, HT544, HT582 and HT583 intrinsically safe certified portables meet IECEx certification. Suitable for those users who do not need to comply with the European ATEX standard.

Accessories
Entel offers a range of professional audio accessories for Intrinsically Safe Radios For Firefighters. Fire Fighting teams prefer communication solutions with bone-conductive options that can fit easily with their existing BAs. Since customer’s specifications vary, Entel has a comprehensive range of audio accessories to address these requirements.
Should the customer demand a radio integrated Breathing Apparatus, Entel has two market leading products from Draeger and Scott Safety approved on its ATEX certificate to work with the radios.
Some of the ATEX approved audio accessories supplied to fire and rescue organizations globally are as follows.

EPT40/950 Bone conductive combined earpiece microphone
The combined mic/earpiece detects speech-induced bone vibrations via direct contact with ear canal wall. Because these vibrations occur whether one speaks softly or yells you only have to speak at a moderate level for high speech clarity, even in high noise areas. The earpiece connects via a quality in line connector to a large rugged waterproof press to talk (PTT) button that can clip on to a belt or other suitable position using the rugged revolving clip. The press to talk switch is easy to use, has a positive feel and can be used by a gloved hand or under clothing.
FEATURES:
• You can use this under a helmet or face mask
• Allows discreet communication with no visible microphone
• Utilizes a sound-pressure receiver making it easy to hear under noisy conditions
• ATEX approved
• Supplied with a waterproof PTT
• For use in high noise and blue-light/tactical environments

CXR5/950 Bone conductive skull microphone
The CXR5 is a high performance bone vibration microphone that provides clear audio reception in a noisy environment. Unlike other conventional headsets, the CXR5 is not affected by surrounding sounds while you are in communication. For transmitting your message a bone conductive microphone is placed on top of the head and the earpiece is over one of the ears.
The fully adjustable CXR5 fits on the head similar to a cap. The metal frame supports the bone conductive microphone which fits on adjustable straps. A robust cable exits the skull cap the rear and attaches via a quality in-line connector to a large rugged waterproof press to talk switch that can clip on to a belt or other suitable position using the rugged revolving clip. The press to talk switch is easy to use, has a positive feel and can be used by a gloved hand or under clothing.
FEATURES:
• A high quality rugged bone conductive skull cap
• You can use this under a helmet
• ATEX approved
• Supplied with a waterproof PTT
• For use in high noise environments

CXR16/950 Bone conductive throat microphone
The CXR16 is a high performance throat vibration microphone that provides clear audio reception in a noisy environment. Unlike other conventional headsets, the CXR16 is not affected by surrounding sounds while you are in communication. For transmitting a message, the bone conductive microphone is placed close to the throat and fastened securely around the neck.
A rugged ‘D’ shaped earpiece accompanies the throat microphone and connects via a quality in-line connector to a large rugged waterproof press to talk switch that can clip on to a belt or other suitable position using a revolving clip. The large sized press to talk (PTT) switch is easy to use, has a positive feel and can be used by a gloved hand or under clothing.
FEATURES:
• A high quality throat microphone with a comfortable soft-feel adjustable neck band
• You can use this under fire fighters clothing
• ATEX approved
• Supplied with a waterproof PTT
• For use in high noise environments

For any questions about this IMO regulation please contact us at sales@rcom.nl.

Standard Horizon gx6500-E

STANDARD HORIZON GX-6500E

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THE WORLD’S FIRST FIXED DSC VHF WITH A BUILT-IN AIS TRANSPONDER

Standard Horizon, a market leader in compact and intuitive marine VHF transceivers, is proud to announce the launch of the new Standard Horizon GX-6500E, which, in addition to being NMEA2000 enabled also includes a Class B AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder – a short-range coastal tracking system intended to assist in collision avoidance by seeing position and courses of AIS-equipped vessels around you.

The Standard Horizon GX-6500E is a commercial grade DSC (Digital Selective Calling) VHF built for extended periods of use in adverse conditions. As with all Standard Horizon products, it is very intuitive to use, and full of extra features that will appeal to professional and leisure users alike.

What sets the Standard Horizon GX-6500E apart, however, is the built-in AIS functionality, which not only sends and receives from the main set, but also via the two types of repeater microphone, the optional RAM4 (SSM-70H) and wireless RAM4W (SSM-71H). These microphones duplicate all the main functions, including the display screen, and allow the full operation of the transceiver, including the AIS system, from other locations on board.

If you want to roam, the Standard Horizon GX-6500E’s standard microphone can be connected to an optional 20 feet of extension cable, whilst the RAM4 can be hard-wired to a second station such as a flybridge. But for even greater freedom, the RAM4W version is fully wireless, so the skipper can literally move from pulpit to masthead and retain a full AIS and DSC control. The main set can support two optional RAM4s by cable, or four RAM4Ws via an optional wireless base station (SCU-30).  Both remote microphones allow full control, including intercom ability from any one microphone to another or to all.

The Class B AIS (Class B being designed specifically for non-SOLAS regulated craft) works via Standard Horizon’s E2O ‘Easy To Operate’ menu system, and delivers all the information a boat owner will require to track a target on the screen and contact the received AIS target via a DSC call if necessary. The information displayed includes the MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity Number), the ship’s name and call sign, its bearing, distance, speed over the ground and course over the ground. There is also a programmable alarm for closest point of approach – useful when crossing shipping lanes.

As another feature, a built-in voice recorder can record up to 2 minutes of received calls. This means you can capture either a faint or garbled transmission, and play it back at higher volume, or record a coastguard weather forecast for later referral. Reception is enhanced using a local/distance attenuator, and if you want to keep your transmissions entirely secret, there is an integrated 32-code voice scrambler.

The Standard Horizon GX-6500E has all the functions you would expect from a fixed DSC, such as programmable scan, priority scan, dual watch and a dedicated distress button, with the channels accessed by an oversized rotary selector with push to enter. The set also makes the best use of the 66-channel GPS antenna (SCU-31, included in the package) to provide a mini-navigation station as well. The Standard Horizon GX-6500E requires two antennas and is equipped for designated use – one for VHF voice and one for the AIS.  The large screen displays a GPS compass, with pages for the waypoint directory and GPS reception status.

Ruggedly built and easy to use, the Standard Horizon GX-6500E has all the electronics you could need afloat in one compact package. Yet even though you will already have DSC, AIS, GPS, a voice recorder and even an automatic fog signal generator, and ATIS capability for the inland waterways of Europe. if you want to link the set to yet more devices, the GX-6500E allows for integration with navigation systems over both NMEA2000 & NMEA0183.

The front panel is waterproof to IPX8, and supplied with Standard Horizon’s no quibble three-year guarantee, to give you total peace of mind.

Key features:
Standard Horizon GX-6500E

Integrated Class B AIS Transponder
AIS/AIS SART Target display
AIS Call Sign, Ship’s name, MMSI, BRG, COG, SOG, DST
66 Channel GPS antenna included
NMEA2000 and NMEA 0183 compatible
Programmable closest point of approach (CPA) alarm
Dual zone 25W PA/loud hailer and programmable fog signals
GPS compass, waypoint and GPS status pages
Oversized rotary channel knob with push to enter
Easy to Operate (E2O) menu system
Optional microphone extension kit (20 feet)
Supports two RAM4 or four RAM4W repeaters
Integrated voice recorder for 2 minutes of received calls
Advanced receiver attenuator for local/distance RX
Integrated 32 code voice scrambler
Front panel waterproofed to IPX8

NSR NVR9000

NSR NVR9000 VDR WHEELMARK APPROVED

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NSR NVR9000 VOYAGE DATA RECORDER RECEIVES MED / WHEELMARK APPROVAL

Just recently on SMM in Hamburg NSR Marine received the official MED / Wheelmark approval on the NSR NVR9000 (S) (Simplified) Voyage Data Recorder.

After successfully achieving MED / Wheelmark approval on the below products this is their next great achievement.

• NSR NTW-1000 GMDSS handheld VHF
• NSR NVX-1000 Navtex receiver
• NSR NVR-1000 Class A DSC GMDSS VHF
• NSR NRR-100 radar reflector
• NSR NEB2000 GPS Epirb
• NSR NSI-1000 AIS
• NSR NAS-1000 AIS Sart
• NSR NBW-1000 BNWAS

Voyage data recorder, or VDR, is a data recording system designed for all vessels required to comply with the IMO’s International Convention SOLAS Requirements (IMO Res.A.861(20)) in order to collect data from various sensors on board the vessel. It then digitizes, compresses and stores this information in an externally mounted protective storage unit.

Following this approval there will be more to follow at short notice, to begin with their completely new SSB Radiotelephone NHR1500!!

Rcom is the NSR Marine sole distributor for the Benelux