Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

(John Hannent) #1
Author's explanation
(You must have the GlobeEmail software installed on the computer attached to your
Marine SSB Radio to use this service).
On opening the 'New Message' screen of the GlobeEmail software, you will be offered
the 'Address Book' -you can send messages to more than one address at the same time
(e.g., send a message to your Agent at the next port of call, and copy the message to the
home office). You can send messages to telex; Internet;fax; and cable addresses.
Messages can also be delivered (by previous arrangement with Globe Wireless) to
private e-mail servicesoperatedby.forexample.AT&T EasyLink; BIMCOM;
cc:Mail; CompuServe Mail; MCI Mail; Microsoft Mail; and X400 services (different
types of address can be accommodated in the same message);
If you use spreadsheets or other software (e.g,. for stores/provisions lists) you can
'Attach' a file from that package, rather than re-type the information into a text
message (as would be the case with normal TOR communications);
When you click-on the 'SEND' icon, your system will automatically find a Coast
Radio Station, and suitable frequency, from the Globe Wireless network -and will
establish communication with that station and pass your message}
Messages from-shore to-ship are received automatically, through your dedicated Marine
SSB Radio, onto your computer (your system constantly monitors network stations
and frequencies to maintain contact -you do not have to 'call-in ').
Globe-Email messages are charged according to the amount of data transferred, not
according to time taken to pass the message on the radio channel. ( If conditions are
poor, and error correction causes the transmission to take a long time, you still pay only
for the amount of data passed, not for the additional time taken to send the message).
Ships can have more than one billing account. Individuals onboard can have their own
billing account -as can owners, charterers, contractors etc.

• Inmarsat PC telephone, fax and data services


Inmarsat GMDSS equipment (Inmarsat-A and Inmarsat-B) can
be used for routine, Public Correspondence telephone, fax and 'voice-
band data' calls. Inmarsat non-GMDSS equipment (Inmarsat-M and
Mini-M) can also be used for telephone, fax and data. Some Inmarsat-
A/B units are fitted with 'High Speed Data' (HSD) modems - for
transferring much larger amounts of data than can be handled on 'voice
band' channels.

Inmarsat-A PC Telephone, Fax and 'voice-band data' Calls


Inmarsat-A is the original Inmarsat system. The connection method
for Inmarsat-A calls is a 'two-stage' method - which means that you
have to:



  • Use the 'signalling channel' to ask the Network Co-ordination Station
    (NCS) to connect you, on a working channel, with a Land Earth Station


MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 61
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