Designed for those who make their living on the sea or who navigate offshore for recreation, this comprehensive textbook introduces the mariner to each navigation and communication system and outlines its uses and limitations in practical application. An introduction to the basic theory of radio waves and how they affect system use is followed by descriptions of the various types of equipment and how they function. Especially useful for the navigator are discussions of radio direction finding systems, including radar beacons; hyperbolic radio navigation systems; satellite navigation systems, including the Global Positioning System and the Global Navigation Satellite System; hydrosonic systems; radar; and Automatic Radar Plotting. The sections on communications cover all systems in application in the marine field, including the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. Also discussed are shipboard control systems, including compasses and steering systems, and integrated bridge systems. This book also provides excellent preparation for those studying for a license examination or serving aboard ships in the military.

Global mobile satellite communications (GMSC) are specific satellite communication systems for maritime, land and aeronautical applications. It enables connections between moving objects such as ships, vehicles and aircrafts, and telecommunications subscribers through the medium of communications satellites, ground earth stations, PTT or other landline telecommunications providers. Mobile satellite communications and technology have been in use for over two decades. Its initial application is aimed at the maritime market for commercial and distress applications. In recent years, new developments and initiatives have resulted in land and aeronautical applications and the introduction of new satellite constellations in non-geostationary orbits such as Little and Big LEO configurations and hybrid satellite constellations as Ellipso Borealis and Concordia system. This book is important for modern shipping, truck, train and aeronautical societies because GMSC in the present millennium provides more effective business and trade, with emphasis on safety and commercial communications. Global Mobile Satellite Communications is written to make bridges between potential readers and current GMSC trends, mobile system concepts and network architecture using a simple mode of style with understandable technical information, characteristics, graphicons, illustrations and mathematics equations. Global Mobile Satellite Communications represents telecommunications technique and technology, which can be useful for all technical staff on vessels at sea and rivers, on all types of land vehicles, on planes, on off shore constructions and for everyone possessing satellite communications handset phones.

This bestselling book provides an incomparable reference source for all vessels using maritime radio communication systems, which are now a legislative requirement. It includes exhaustive coverage of all UK and international regulations relating to modern maritime communications, such as the crucial GMDSS, all contained within one singular volume. This sixth edition has been fully updated to take into account major developments over the last five years, in particular the revised regulations introduced by the International Telecommunication Union in 2012. The authors deliver an authoritative guide to the complicated and changing world of radio communications, including: The very latest technological advances in terrestrial and satellite communications Changes to the international VHF channel allocation and channel spacing The major overhaul of the organisational structure of the UK Coastguard service Substantial enhancements to the eLoran services The changing complexities of voyage planning Large diagrams, an extensive index and fully-updated appendices This is a definitive guide for today’s maritime communications industry, including ship owners, ship managers, coast guards, seafarers, students of maritime communications, as well as the recreational sector.

This book discusses global mobile satellite communications (GMSC) for maritime, land (road and rail), and aeronautical applications. It covers how these enable connections between moving objects such as ships, road and rail vehicles and aircrafts on one hand, and ground telecommunications subscribers through the medium of communications satellites, ground earth stations, Terrestrial Telecommunication Networks (TTN), Internet Service Providers (ISP) and other wireless and landline telecommunications providers. The new edition covers new developments and initiatives that have resulted in land and aeronautical applications and the introduction of new satellite constellations in non-geostationary orbits and projects of new hybrid satellite constellations. The book presents current GMSC trends, mobile system concepts and network architecture using a simple mode of style with understandable technical information, characteristics, graphics, illustrations and mathematics equations. It represents telecommunications technique and technology, which can be useful for all technical staff on vessels at sea and rivers, on all types of land vehicles, on planes, on off shore constructions and for everyone possessing satellite communications handset phones. The first edition of Global Mobile Satellite Communications (Springer, 2005) was split into two books for the second edition – one on applications and one on theory. This book presents global mobile satellite communications applications.

This new edition explains the GMDSS rules, regulations and procedures. The book contains the regulations drawn from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and it is a useful teaching aid for GMDSS topics thoroughly updated to explain: significant changes in operating procedures to GMDSS, improvements to communication equipment and the new opportunities they provide, including: Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Inmarsat Fleet services amendments to GMDSS radio maintenance certificate. Also expanded to include sections on use of radio for: piracy and armed robbery attacks at sea, medical advice and assistance, Mede Vac; and contains updated and extended contact details of important organisations relevant to GMDSS.

The only book to cover all types of radio and satellite communication in a single volume.