The Beacon issue 1

THE
Beacon
The JOTRON GROUP Newsletter
In this issue
A Jotron EPIRB
saved the lives of the
crew of this vessel.
All in a day's work
for Jotron staff.
The new TR710
transceiver.
Meet the...
Service Department.
Focus on...
Radio Holland.
NEW VHF RADIO LAUNCH
J
OTRON have announced
the launch of their latest
19
channel
VHF
personal
portable radio for marine
emergency
and
onboard
communication.
Complete with full GMDSS capabilities, the
TRON TR20 now accompanies the existing
11 channel TRON VHF set, although full parts
and service facilities are also available for this
model. Designed and built in Norway to
exacting but rugged standards, the
TRON TR20 is fully waterproofed to
IP67 with an illuminated tangibly
tactile keyboard and backlit graphical
display to facilitate ease of use. Slightly
smaller than the TRON VHF, at 155mm
wide by 69mm high and 83mm deep,
the unit weighs approximately
350 grams, including the extended life
8 hour duration Lithium battery and
comes complete with a bulkhead
and table mountable dual slot fast
charger, also able to operate on trickle
mode, from a 12-24 volts DC or
115/230 volts AC with external mains
adaptor power source.
Encased in high impact moulded
polycarbonate, the bright orange set is
designed for one hand operation, even with
gloves, with just nine control buttons,
including the emergency Channel 16 facility,
accessing the full control functions which
include dual/triple watch function.
A professional version of the TRON TR20,
the TRON TR20 PLUS, has also been
launched featuring 54 international channels
and supplied with 7 hour duration NiMH
batteries, although these are interchangeable
on both models with the TR20’s lithium
batteries. While both versions of the
TR20 have provision for use of
remote antenna, the TR20 PLUS
version also includes an accessory
socket for an external headset and
microphone.
Arne Berdal, Product Manager
of Maritime Communication,
commented: “This new design
incorporates all the very latest
technology in a smaller and lighter
package with the additional benefit
of an illuminated keyboard. Both
the GMDSS and professional
versions have undergone the most
rigourous testing and field trials
before launch and are eagerly
awaited by both the commercial
and the leisure markets.”
Issue 1
Summer 2002
WELCOME to the first issue of
The Beacon, the Jotron Group’s
newsletter for past, present and potential
customers. Inside, you’ll find articles
on our latest products, our service
department and one of our major
distributors, together with other items
which I hope you’ll find of interest.
At Jotron we like to think we know quite
a bit about marine and ground-to-air
communications and distress signalling
equipment – after all, we’ve been
designing and
manufacturing this
equipment since 1967,
during which time our
engineers have not only
kept abreast of the very
latest technology and
materials, but also
anticipated future
statutorary requirements in both the
marine and aviation sector. The result is
one of the most comprehensive product
ranges currently available that satisfies
the most stringent quality requirements
for communications and distress
signalling equipment.
Whilst design and manufacturing is our
main business, the support of our
worldwide service and distribution
network is also of vital importance to the
Group. Our aim is that we can support
any customer with the same service
back-up, spare parts and technical
expertise, irrelevant of his/her location.
I do hope you enjoy this first issue of
The Beacon and look forward to
welcoming you to future issues.
Arne Berdal,
Product Manager,
Marine Communications
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http://www.jotron.com
Jotron at ATC Maastricht February 4th-8th 2002
ATC Maastricht is Europe’s premier ATC (Air Traffic Control)
business event. It was launched 12 years ago, and Jotron
participated right from the start. It provides a European focus on
the ATC industry, and has become one of the most important
worldwide ATC events. Over 2000 industry professionals attended
the three-day event with 130 exhibitors representing over 20
countries worldwide.
This year Jotron Electronics used this opportunity to present a brand
new stand in the new corporate colours. We received great attention and
were frequently complemented for the delicate and professional design.
Even the snack, being ecologically grown baby carrots, matched the
colours of the new logo.
For Jotron, the ATC Maastricht was undoubtedly successful. It gave us
an opportunity to establish new contacts, as well as the pleasure of
meeting with known customers and colleagues in the business. As a
tangible result we have received several requests for quotation.
EPIRB ENDORSEMENT
BY CRIMMOND REPORT
THE Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s
(MAIB) report on the investigation into the loss
of the fishing vessel Crimmond II, whilst being
unable to directly attribute the flooding and
subsequent sinking to any one cause, has stated
categorically that the crew owe their lives to the
EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon) which alerted the coast guard rescue
operation and pinpointed their position.
The fishing vessel, which operated out of
Scarborough, capsized and foundered at about
06.30 hrs on 24 April 2001 as a result of flooding
which the crew of two had discovered some two
hours earlier. The floodwater, from an unidentified
source, disabled the electrical supply causing not
only the bilge pumps to fail, but also the fixed
radios, rendering them useless for distress calls. As
the vessel capsized and foundered, pulling the
liferaft down with it, the crew found themselves in
sea water of temperature 8ºC to 9ºC, clinging on
to various buoyant items.
With neither man wearing survival suits, or
indeed lifejackets, their survival time in calm
water of this temperature would have been about
1 hour (Wissler Model, modified by Hayes, 1987).
Fortunately, however, the EPIRB, a Jotron TRON
30S MkII, was fitted with a HRU (Hydrostatic
Release Unit) which activated when the vessel
sank and began automatically
transmitting positional data at
06.38 hrs. A rescue helicopter
from RAF Leconfield was
dispatched and as it approached,
was able to home-in on the
EPIRB signal, picking the crew
up at 07.48 hrs. The report states
that in another ten minutes, one
of the men may well have not
survived and without the EPIRB,
the crew would almost certainly
have perished. Neil Atkinson,
Sales Manager for Jotron (UK)
Ltd, commented: “The EPIRB
was purchased in 1995 and returned to us after
recovery by the MAIB for testing and worked
perfectly. There are important lessons to be learnt
from this accident which could so very easily have
proved tragically fatal for the crew had they not had
their EPIRB in working order. The EPIRB was
maintained as per our recommendations, which
included a new battery and HRU, by Northern
Marine Electronics – the Jotron authorised dealer in
Scarborough – which underlines the importance of
following the manufacturer’s recommendations for
maintenance.”
The Crimmond II came under the general
regulations of the 1975 Fishing Vessels
(Safety Provisions) Rules, soon to be
superceeded by the MCA’s Code of Safe
Working Practice for the Construction and
Use of 15 metre (OAL) to 24 metre (RL)
Fishing Vessels, requiring it to carry a floatfree satellite EPIRB. However, as Neil
Atkinson continued, many other vessels,
particularly in the leisure sector, should also
really
be
carrying
similar
equipment:
“Marine accidents inevitably tend to be
serious as help is often so far away but with
a relatively small investment in an EPIRB,
however, rescue can be facilitated and
unnecessary loss of life avoided. There’s a
wide variety of models available, from
voluntary fit 406 MHz EPIRB’s at under
£500.00 to fully automatic units with the
very latest GPS technology at around
£1,000.00, so there is a specification and
price level to suit all vessels. The lesson is
there for everyone.”
Photograph courtesy of Fishing News
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http://www
TR-710 Multipurpose
Airband Transceiver
SO IF YOU THINK
YOU’VE HAD A
HARD DAY...
...then spare a thought for Paul Lowther, one of our UK
warehouse staff who gallantly agreed to ‘model’ some of
our marine distress signalling equipment. The resulting
photographs, however, are so stunning that they are
frequently featured in the trade press. As to how and
where they were done, that remains our secret...
THE TR-710 is a versatile high
quality10W Transceiver for
Ground-to-Air communication.
It is supplied in three different
packages. This powerful
transceiver is fully compliant
with ETSI specifications and
ICAO recommendations. TR710M is a complete package for
vehicle installation; TR-710MP is a portable
ManPack version complete with carrying
bag and antenna; while TR-710MD is a
Desktop version.
The TR-710 has been sold to a wide range
of users around the world, such as Border
Patrols, Airport Fire & Rescue, Ground
Services, Air Force, etc. One of
the main contracts was signed
with Turkish DHMI, totalling
125 transceivers.
The TR-710 is a state of
the art transceiver, with a
modern design. The user has
access to all parameters via the
front panel. In addition, it is
possible to upload and download all radio
settings, including frequencies and channel
names, via a PC. Either by connecting the radio
direct to a PC, or via a “dongle” which is
loaded from the PC, and then sent out to the
radio site. The PC programme makes multi site
radio management much easier.
Minoan Lines Choose Phontech
MINOAN LINES of Greece have become
one of Phontech’s latest customers with a
NOK 6 million order for a Public Address
and Talkback system and a Batteryless
Telephone and Marine Antenna System. The
equipment has been fitted to the MV's
Prometheus and Oceanus, fast ferries built
at the Samsung Shipyard in Korea and
currently operating between Greece and
Italy.
With worldwide customers for their range of
communications systems, many of which are
tailor made to individual specifications,
especially for the offshore oil and gas industry,
it’s already proving to be a busy year for
Phontech.
Their Digital Integrated Communication
System DICS 6100 is particularly successful by
being able to combine all intercom
requirements onboard a ship, ie, telephone,
intercom, talkback and public address, into one
single system. The system also interfaces to all
modern telecom, such as cellular phones,
satcom and paging systems, providing an all
purpose, high quality and high capacity
communication platform.
FOCUS ON:
J
OTRON has offered service on
our products for many years, and
to strengthen and to focus more on
customer support, service became a
separate department in 1997.
Since the official start, the
JOTRON Project & Service Dept. has
grown significantly, and today
8 people are working full time with
project and service tasks.
The department offers in-house
project management and training
courses for Ground to Air projects and
service on all Jotron products. We
seek to have a quick turn-around time
w.jotron.com
The SERVICE DEPARTMENT
on service since we know that this
will be important for the customers.
Telephone support is also available –
sometimes a problem can be solved
by speaking to a Jotron Engineer
without having to send equipment
back for service.
In addition the Project & Service
department can offer several types of
on-site activities in connection with
Ground-to-Air projects. We offer
help during the installation of our
Ground to Air equipment including
professional training courses. The
department does upgrading of
existing products to the latest
hardware and software status. We will
also be able to assist in connection
with site acceptance testing.
Our goal is to assist the customer
until he is fully satisfied!
Back row, left to right:
Tone Sørum, Eirik Storjordet,
John R. Molvik, Jan Erik Sæter,
Geir Yngve Ellingsen
Front row, left to right:
Roger Kleppan, Øystein Helgesen,
Ståle Melvold
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DISTRIBUTOR FOCUS: RADIO HOLLAND
O
ne of our largest distributors is the Rotterdambased Radio Holland Group, originally
founded in 1916 by a group of Dutch ship owners
who saw the significance of radio communications
to the safety and efficiency of shipping. Since those
pioneering days, the company expanded
considerably to enjoy a world-wide reputation as an
all-round maritime electronics specialist.
Up to this year, the company was known as Radio
Holland Marine and owned by EMG EuroMarine
Electronics GmbH of Hamburg.
On March 6th 2002, however, the Radio Holland
Group became an independent company through a
Management Buy Out (MBO) led by its CEO,
David Slager, and now consists of a truly global
group of companies, strategically located along all
major shipping routes and specialising in the
supply, installation and service of maritime
electronics.
World-wide, the group employs some 700 people in
42 branches from Shanghai to South Africa and
achieves an annual turnover of approximately 135
million Euros.
David Slager commented, “I’m delighted that the
new Radio Holland Group is now an independent
international sales and service company. Our aim is
to offer customers an even better and more
extensive service through our world-wide network
and to supply the very best maritime products from
the best international manufacturers. Our goal is
simple – to be the number one in providing all
global ship operators with solutions for their
electronic requirements to operate their vessels in
the most efficient and effective way.”
Radio Holland and
Jotron Electronics AS
F
or many years Jotron have supplied products to both SAIT and Radio
Holland’s branches. And during the hectic years for GMDSS
implementation the relations got even closer so that we now enjoy a business
relationship with most of the companies within the Radio Holland Group.
We now supply our three main GMDSS emergency products, EPIRB, SART
and portable VHF, to Radio Holland supplied with their own label.
And finally...
I hope you have enjoyed this first
issue of The Beacon. It’s been
designed and written with you, our
customers and distributors, in mind
but we’d like to hear your
comments on it. We’d also like to
receive any letters or articles for
the next issue that you think would
be of interest and ask you to e-mail
me at anita.stokkan@jotron.com
with details.
Anita Stokkan, Editor
David Slager, CEO of the Radio Holland Group
Events
Calendar 2002
You’ll find Jotron or our distributors
exhibiting our products at the
following international
exhibitions throughout
the year.
DATE
VENUE
LOCATION
April
SASMEX
Amsterdam
May
Ribex
Southampton
May - June
AIREX 2002
Istanbul
June
Seawork
Southampton
June
Posedonia
Piraeus
July
Fish Eire
Killybegs
July
Farnborough Air Show
Farnborough
August
Norfishing
Trondheim
September
Equiport Le Harve
Le Harve
September
Southampton Boat Show
Southampton
September
SMM
Hamburg
October
Marine Trade Show
Windsor
October
Airport Operator Association
Brighton
November
METS
Amsterdam
Jotron Electronics a.s. P.O. Box 54, N-3280 Tjodalyng, Norway
Tel: +47 33 13 97 00 Fax: +47 33 12 67 80 E-mail: mail@jotron.com
PHONTECH a.s. P.O. Box 274 N-3192 Horten, Norway
E-mail: info@phontech.no www.phontech.no
Jotron (UK) Ltd., Crosland Park, off Crowhall Road, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 1LA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1670 712000 Fax: +44 (0) 1670 590265 E-mail: sales@jotron.co.uk
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http://www.jotron.com