(note: instructions vary slightly for TYPE 2 and TYPE 4 buoy finders)
TYPE 4 Buoy Finders have blue push-buttons on unit and are our most commonly deployed units.
1. Screw antenna connector onto the unit. Place antenna outside as high as possible and on steel, for magnetic mount, if possible.
2. Turn unit on using bottom button. Display will read: “SYNCHRONIZING”
3. When “HEAVE” value displays, the unit has acquired the buoy’s signal. There are signal strength bars at bottom of display.
4. If the buoy finder does not synch and Heave does not appear, then check to make sure the frequency of the buoy and the finder match. Press and hold the center Menu/Select (MS) button until the frequency is displayed. If the frequency is incorrect use the arrow buttons to scroll to the first digit that needs to be changed then press the MS button and the value will be highlighted, then change it with the arrow keys and finally press MS again to enter the value and then move to the next digit or to EXIT to go back to the main display.
If the frequency is correct and you do not synch, turn off the buoy finder and wait until you are closer to the last known position of the buoy, usually 5 to 10 miles will be maximum receiving range. Pressing the top button when the main display is up take you to speaker volume control display. The arrow keys can then be used to raise or lower the volume. Keep it at mute for greater battery life.
5. A fix will appear every 1/2 hour and display the LAT/LONG. The display will also show the age of the last fix.
6. A new fix should display every 1/2 hour, on the 1/2 hour.
TYPE 2 Buoy Finders have silver toggles on unit and only exist in one or two locations
1. Plug antenna into BNC connector. Place antenna in an exposed area on the vessel.
2. Flip power toggle switch to ON.
3. Verify that the frequency of the buoy matches the frequency the buoy finder is monitoring. The frequency will be noted at each site. If the frequency is improper then change the frequency on the buoy finder by: XXXX (NEED TO FIND OLD MANUAL TO FIND OUT HOW TO DO THIS)
4. Flip the speaker switch to hear audible output. This switch can be turned off after verified. If you cannot hear the output, you are either too far away from the buoy or the wrong frequency has been input. If the frequency is correct, turn off the buoy finder and wait until you are closer to the last known position of the buoy, usually 5 to 10 miles will be maximum receiving range.
5. “Synchronizing” The unit is gathering the buoy data and will determine where it is in the transmission stream.
6. “Mark 2, collecting” The unit has now identified the buoy.
7. Transmission number the data stream repeats the same position 8 times during 30 minutes. Each transmission is thus approx 4 minutes.
8. “GPS not ok: no fix” This will be indicated until there is a complete 4 minute transmission, with a good GPS position.
9. “GPS ok/fix” The position has been verified and is reliable.
"Lat & Long" indicate the position of the buoy.
Remember that while performing a search, transmission 0 will be about 8 minutes old. Transmission 7 will be about 30 minutes old. Thus, depending where you are in the cycle, you must sometimes wait one half hour for an updated position.
The nominal distance to resolve a position is approximately 5 to 10 miles,
depending on factors such as vessel type, sea state and height of antenna.
Placing the antenna as high as possible will help improve signal range.
RETRIEVING BUOY:
The best place to tie into the buoy is on the large handles on the yellow
portion of the buoy. If the buoy is towed back to the dock, the maximum
speed should be around 3 or 4 knots. If towed faster, the buoy will submerge.
Contacts Office - 858-534-3032
Julie Thomas - C: 858-349-8245 H: 760-942-2944
Grant Cameron - C: 858-735-4303
Victor Aguilar - C: 619-987-1352
THANK YOU!