User manual

9
9. System Operation
Once the receiver and omni-directional antenna have been correctly installed, the Seasafe Receiver is
ready for operation. To switch the system on, depress the “on” key. Once the “on” key has been
depressed, the “alarm”, “on” and signal gain button “6” will be illuminated. If the receiver is connected to
the vessel power, the “BATT CHG ON” indicator will also be illuminated. This indicates that the internal
batteries are being charged. Each time the receiver is switched on, the device will default to these
settings. If the “BATT CHG ON” indicator fails to illuminate when connected to the vessel power, please
first check that power is being supplied to the receiver and also check the condition of the in-line fuse.
Provided there is power to the device and the fuse is operational, if the receiver “BATT CHG ON” still fails
to illuminate then return the receiver to your closest Seasafe dealer for inspection and possible battery
replacement.
If the receiver is removed from the vessel power source, the “BATT CHG ON” indicator will no longer be
illuminated. However, continued use of the receiver is possible as the receiver will be powered by the
internal batteries. The length of time the receiver is able to operate in this mode is dependent on whether
the internal batteries are fully charged. The receiver may continue to operate for up to 3 hours on a full
charge. It is not recommended to operate the receiver in portable mode for extended lengths of time. As
the internal battery power decreases, the range and accuracy capabilities of the receiver are reduced
substantially and normal operation becomes unreliable. The receiver should only be used in the portable
mode (disconnected from vessel power) in absolute emergencies only.
The receiver is now ready to receive any emergency signal transmitted by a Seasafe transmitter
(SSTX/01or SSTX/DV) which is within range.
If a Seasafe transmitter is activated within range of the receiver, the receiver’s in-built alarm siren will emit
a high pitched audible alarm tone. The volume level of this alarm is factory set and cannot be adjusted. At
the same time, a number of “signal strength indicator” lights will be illuminated. The more lights which are
illuminated on the “signal strength indication”, the stronger the signal being received. At this point the
operator or skipper should depress the “SEARCH” button. This button will become illuminated and the
“ALARM” button will no longer be illuminated. The omni-directional antenna must now be unplugged from
the receiver and the collapsible directional-antenna must be unfolded and plugged into the receiver socket
marked “directional antenna”. (The omni-directional antenna need only be unplugged if the receiver is to
be used portably. The receiver automatically switches between omni and directional antennae when the
receiver is switched from “Alarm’ to ‘Search’ mode). The receiver will begin to emit a warbling audible
tone. This is an audible signal strength indication. The volume level of this audible signal strength indicator
is adjustable either up or down via the volume “UP” or “DOWN” buttons. The directional antenna is held in
the hand in the vertical plane (see picture below) and the operator should very slowly rotate the antenna
through 360 degrees. If the directional antenna is permanently fixed to the vessel then the vessel should
be slowly manoeuvred through 360 degrees. The visual and audible signal strength indicators will vary as
the antenna is moved. The point within 360 degrees where the most signal indicator panel lights are
illuminated and where the audible tone is most highly pitched, will indicate the approximate direction from
which the transmitted signal is being received. If maximum signal strength is received through an arc (say
90 degrees) then the vessel should proceed directly towards the middle point of this arc. See diagram
below. The vessel must now move in this direction whilst the operator continues to scan with the
directional antenna. As the vessel gets closer to the transmitter signal source, the visual and audible
signal strengths will increase. In order to narrow the search angle or arc, the operator should now start to
systematically depress the “SIGNAL GAIN” switches down from number “6”. The signal strength
indications will reduce in intensity. Again, if the strongest signal is received through an arc then the boat
should proceed towards the centre position of this arc. If the vessel has an on-board compass, then a
compass bearing can be used to obtain the direction of the centre of this arc. The operator should
randomly continue to rotate the antenna through 360 degrees to check for any other transmitted signals as
there may be more than one activated transmitter at a time. By continuing to reduce the signal gain and to
follow the direction of the strongest received signal, the vessel should eventually come in visual contact
with the victim and they can be safely retrieved. If on ‘GAIN POSITION 1’ maximum signal strength is
being received through 360 degrees and the victim is not visual, the directional antenna may be
unplugged from its socket and plugged into the ‘Omni-Directional’ antenna socket. This will allow the
victim to be tracked even closer. Once a victim has been retrieved, their Seasafe transmitter should be
deactivated. Assuming there were no other victims in the water at the same time, the receiver audible and