FAX4 WEATHER FACSIMILE DECODER - ICS Electronics Ltd

FAX4 WEATHER FACSIMILE DECODERICSWeather Facsimile at affordable pricesICS ElectronicsLtd have a worldwidereputationfor the design andmanufacture ofMF/HF radio datacommunicationsequipment. As wellas supplying ourDSC, NAVTEX,WeatherFacsimile,Weather Satellitesystems to themarine market,ICS equipment isextensively used bycoast radio stationsand naviesthroughout theworld.Weather Facsimiletransmissions aremade by stationsthroughout theworld and can bereceived on anygood quality SSBreceiver. WeatherFacsimile willprovide valuableweather and seastate conditioninformation for upto five days ahead.FAX 4 providespaper printoutWeather Facsimilecharts on popularcomputer printers.The FAX4 finally makes high quality weatherfacsimile an affordable option. Offering worldwide coverage, it gives access to surface analysischarts every six hours and weather forecast mapsup to five days in advance.Complimenting ICS’s popular NAV4 NAVTEXreceiver, the FAX4 connects between any goodquality short wave SSB radio receiver and mosthigh resolution ink jet and laser printers. Nocomputer is required and the image quality farexceeds that which is currently available fromother systems.Weather Facsimile broadcasts are made fromstations all over the world. They are madesimultaneously on several frequencies toimprove reliability of coverage. New weathermaps are transmitted every 6 hours. Alsoavailable are easy to interpret weather maps forup to five days ahead, ice maps, ocean currents,sea state and swell forecasts and oceantemperature maps extend the usefulness of theinformation provided. For information ontransmission frequencies and schedules, checkwith the “Admiralty List of Radio Signals,Volume 3”, available from all Admiraltychart agents.Installation is straightforward. The FAX4 isextremely compact and occupies minimal panelspace. It connects to a 12 volt power supply,computer printer, and to the loud speakerextension socket of virtually any HF SSBreceiver. If an HF or MF transceiver is fitted, noadditional receiver will be required. Once thereceiver is tuned to the correct frequency,operation is fully automatic. If a map is tuned inpart way though, the manual start/ stop buttoncan be used.Automatic timer operation is possible byconnecting a receiver with a timed remotecontrol facility.Many popular ink jet and laser printers aresupported by the FAX4. Epson and Canon havesuitable models. The Canon BJC-80 isparticularly suitable due to it’s small physicalsize and the ease of running it from a 12 voltbattery supply.FEATURESSimple, automatic operationExtremely compactLow power consumptionOperates with any HF SSB receiveror transceiverOutstanding map clarityReleases the computer for other tasksSupports most popular printers

FAX4 Technical SpecificationsMOUNTINGDIMENSIONSWEIGHTVOLTAGEPOWERCONSUMPTIONTEMPERATUREDesigned for flush mounting on a flat panel withconnectors protruding from the rear147Wx106Hx15D mm excluding connectors215 grams10-16 volts DC1.5 watts0 to 40 degrees CelsiusDECODING Automatic reception of IOC 288 and 576CHARACTERISTICS transmissions at 60, 90, 120 and 240 RPMREAR CONNECTIONS Audio in from SSB receiver >100mV12 volt DC power inTimer control input; contact closure input current 0.5mAPrinter output (to printer)OPTIONBMK-1 bulkhead or desk mounting kitNote: Standard printer connecting leads (available from computer stores) are not suppliedICSCONTROLSPower ON/OFFManual Start/Stop of mapPANEL INDICATORS Black/White tuning indicatorsPower/flashing for timer controlOn LinePrinter errorPRINTER INTERFACE Supports Centronics parallel printer interface protocols:- Canon printers supporting BJ mode e.g. BJ-30, BJC-70, BJC-80, BJC-250 and BJ-200 EX. Laser or ink jet printers supporting PCL2 at 300 dpi. Printers which support Epson LQ mode at 360 × 360 dpi.Dimensions:Available from:ICS Electronics has a policy of continuous product improvement and reserve the right to vary in detail from thespecifications contained in this brochure.FAX4 Rev B 24/08/1998 © 98 ICS Electronics LtdICS Electronics Ltd,Unit V, Rudford Industrial Estate, Ford, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 0BD, England.Telephone: +44 (0) 1903 731101 Facsimile: +44 (0) 1903 731105Email: sales@icselectronics.co.uk Web Site: www.icselectronics.co.uk