programmed. With other makes (e.g. Trimble Galaxy/Marconi Orcades)
you need to programme the EGC software 'Primary Area' for 'Use Ship's
position' - or programme for a specific NAVAREA (see Chapter 8).
To receive 'Coastal Navigational Warnings' (where service is
provided), you need to programme your equipment for the specific
Coastal Navigational Area letter (A-Z) - or letters if more than one area
required (as shown in figure 2.3 for Australian waters). You also have to
programme the type of information you require, for the Coastal Area.
As a minimum, you should programme categories A, B, D and E (Nav.
warnings, Gale Warnings, SAR messages and the twice-daily weather
forecast).
Problem: I logged-in to AOR-E in the Mediterranean Sea and started
to receive Safety NET information as expected. Some time later, I
noticed that the equipment was no longer logged-in to AOR-E but
had changed to the IOR. Nobody onboard admitted to changing the
satellite.
Answer: Some Inmarsat-C equipment automatically 'scans' the control
frequencies for all four satellites and may change satellite, automatically,
if it finds a stronger control signal than the one you have chosen. To
prevent this happening, you can tell your equipment to 'SCAN' only
the satellite you require, rather than 'scan all regions' (this is a software
function and will be explained in your User Manual).Some vessels are fitted with an 'EGC Receiver', rather than an
Inmarsat-C 'transceiver', if this applies to your vessel, you need to
program the EGC Receiver for the reqUired satellite. Exceptionally, some
Inmarsat-A equipment is fitted with an 'EGC Receiver' capability. If
you have this type of equipment, your Inmarsat-A 'dish antenna' must
be pointed at the required satellite (see 'Satellite Acquisition', Chapter 8)
- to let you receive SafetyNET information for your NAV /METAREA.
Problem: I have Inmarsat-A equipment fitted onboard and I receive
Distress and Urgency messages from RCCs, but no weather/navigation
information. Why?
Answer: Some RCCs use the Inmarsat-AlInmarsat-B telex service
to broadcast SAR information. This is not 'SafetyNET' as such, which
is why you do not receive the regular NAV /MET bulletins.MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 17