On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 15:02:03 +0100, "Meindert Sprang"
wrote:


Larry, your prayers have been heard. By the end of 2004, all SOLAS vessel
are required to have an AIS system, which does exactly what you want. It
transmits position, course, ROT and other info on a VHF packet radio-like
network.

Meindert


Excellent. Have you seen ours on ham radio? http://www.findu.com/

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) has been online in ham radio
for many years. It was invented to find lost Midshipmen at the Naval
Academy by Bob Bruninga WB4APR, a ham that works there.

http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs.html
http://www.aprs.net/
http://aprs.rutgers.edu/
http://www.cave.org/aprs/
http://www.tawg.org/
http://www.findu.com/

Do a Google search on APRS for more.

APRS is a GPS-powered positioning/course/speed system, interstation
communications system (keyboarding), add a weather station and it
reports the weather (even mobile), and the software does all kinds of
alerting.....

Every pleasure boat should have one (about $100. You already have GPS
and VHF for it.).




Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"