I need a solution for my VHF radio channel 16 emergency radio on my boat. For $100(us) I can own any number of floating radios, manually mounted radios, special purpose radios, and /or radio sets...
but I need an emergency beacon that will contact the coast guard if I am in trouble....
not a new radio!
So I am sitting here with my arduino and all, and I say, what I need is an arduino 156.8mhz TX beacon that can transmit, the name of my vessel, my boat tag numbers, my location, and anything else that might be important at the time(like, out of beer, my crapper is full, my vaper battery died, or out of bait please bring chum) or even just a beeper that is so annoying that they have to come find me.
I know I can do this at home here... I just need a bit of guidance on the frequency control and what kind of visual audio signal I should send out when it clicks!!
tedstruk:
I know I can do this at home here... I just need a bit of guidance on the frequency control and what kind of visual audio signal I should send out when it clicks!!
Get the design or code wrong and you beacon could easily jam the frequency preventing its use (in your area) for geniune emergencies.
DIY by all means, if its legal, and you have a great deal of experience in RF stuff.
Build some alarms for Your home, let them run and check how it turns out. Wildly running transmitters on an emergency frequency is a nightmare for every resque service.
Again, would it be legal?
In my country, you have to pass a test to get a marine radio licence. It includes questions about legal and appropriate use of the frequencies. I have a friend that had to do that to put a radio on his boat. I think common sense alone would suggest that this is not an appropriate use of the frequency. Your beacon can't tell if anyone else is trying to use the frequency, for example.