ICS ELECTRONICS NAV6 V3 Series User manual

NAV6 V3 User Guide
NAV6 V3
NAV6plus V3
NAV6repeater V3
NAV6 eNAVTEX System
MAN03030
Issue 5, October 2018
ICS Electronics Limited
Unit V, Rudford Industrial Estate
Ford, Arundel, West Sussex
BN18 0BF
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
[e-mail]
Website: www.icselectronics.co.uk
The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this publication were to the
best of our knowledge correct at the time of going to print. We reserve the right to
change specifications, equipment, installation and maintenance instructions without notice
as part of our policy of continuous product development and improvement. No part of
this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form, electronic or otherwise without permission in writing from ICS Electronics Ltd. No
liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions in the publication, although
every care has been taken to make it as complete and accurate as possible.
Copyright 2018, ICS Electronics Limited. All rights reserved.

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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Important Information
This equipment is not approved for use by SOLAS convention vessels within the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
It is intended for use by leisure craft and other non-SOLAS vessels wishing to participate within
GMDSS.
Safety Warnings
This instrument is for use as an aid to sailors and should not lead to a reduction in the level of
good seamanship required at all times.
Reception of messages cannot always be guaranteed as this depends on local radio
propagation.
The correct magnetic variation must be input at the navigation instruments (e.g. GPS,
electronic compass) for the accurate display of COG, set, waypoint bearing and heading.
Barometric displays and forecasts are intended as an aid to safe navigation and should not be
relied upon as your sole source of meteorological information.

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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Contents
Quick Start ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
What Is NAVTEX? ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
How Does NAVTEX Work? ............................................................................................................................................... 6
NAV6 Features............................................................................................................................................................................ 7
The Keypad and Display.......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Viewing and Scrolling through NAVTEX messages...............................................................................................10
Message Storage...............................................................................................................................................................10
Filter Profiles..............................................................................................................................................................................11
Station Selection................................................................................................................................................................11
Message Type Filtering ...................................................................................................................................................13
NAVTEX View ............................................................................................................................................................................15
Viewing NAVTEX Messages...........................................................................................................................................15
Printing Individual Messages ........................................................................................................................................15
Navigation Views .....................................................................................................................................................................16
Barometer View .................................................................................................................................................................17
Position View ......................................................................................................................................................................17
Combined View..................................................................................................................................................................18
Waypoint View ...................................................................................................................................................................18
Conning View .....................................................................................................................................................................19
Log View...............................................................................................................................................................................20
Printing the Log .................................................................................................................................................................20
Custom Views .....................................................................................................................................................................20
Setup Menu ...............................................................................................................................................................................21
NAVTEX.................................................................................................................................................................................21
Navigate ...............................................................................................................................................................................23
LCD.........................................................................................................................................................................................27
General..................................................................................................................................................................................28
Database ..............................................................................................................................................................................33
Installation..................................................................................................................................................................................35
Configuration Options.....................................................................................................................................................35
Mounting the Display Unit.............................................................................................................................................37
Installing the Receiver Unit............................................................................................................................................37
Connecting Power.............................................................................................................................................................43
Connecting an NMEA Source........................................................................................................................................43
Connecting the Programming Signal.........................................................................................................................43
Connecting a PC, Printer or Plotter.............................................................................................................................44
Connecting Multiple Display Units..............................................................................................................................45
Connecting a Notebook or Tablet PC ........................................................................................................................45
Testing the NAV6 after installation .............................................................................................................................46
Maintenance and Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................47
Cleaning................................................................................................................................................................................47
Fault Finding .......................................................................................................................................................................47
Software Upgrade .............................................................................................................................................................48
Fuses......................................................................................................................................................................................48
Warranty .....................................................................................................................................................................................49
Glossary.......................................................................................................................................................................................49
Optional Extras .........................................................................................................................................................................50
Specification ..............................................................................................................................................................................51
Appendix I: NAVTEX Station Database.............................................................................................................................53
Appendix II: Message Type Indicators..............................................................................................................................54
Appendix III: NMEA Sentences Supported .....................................................................................................................55

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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NAV6plus Premium System Showing NAV6plus Display Unit, eNAVTEX Receiver Module,
Passive Antenna and the NAV6 eNAVTEX PC App.
Congratulations on purchasing this high quality ICS Electronics Ltd product. It is not only an
excellent NAVTEX receiver, but a first class instrument repeater (plus and repeater models
only) and now includes a barometric display showing current air pressure, a historical pressure
plot for up to the last seven days and Beaufort forecast. It may be the only display you will
ever need at your navigation position. We hope that it gives you many years of reliable and
trustworthy service. Please take the time to read this manual carefully as it contains some
essential information regarding the operation and maintenance of the product and a useful
background to the NAVTEX system.
We recommend that you regularly visit the ICS website www.icselectronics.co.uk for
information on updates, the availability of software enhancements, further options and
support. The support pages contain frequently asked questions about the NAV6 that you may
find useful. There is also a NAVTEX database providing a list of operational NAVTEX stations
and their details.
The IMO and various national coastguards also operate informative websites that you may
wish to visit; see www.icselectronics.co.uk/links.
Please note that the NAV6 standard model does not include the instrument repeater functions
and barometric display as described in this manual. It may be upgraded at any time in the future
(charges apply).

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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Quick Start
You will find this product extremely easy to operate. Please don't be intimidated by the
comprehensive nature of this manual. In reality, receiving your first NAVTEX messages could
not be simpler.
Follow the installation guidelines
Re-check the cable connections
Apply power
If you have not connected a GPS navigation receiver, make sure that you set the date and time
on the screen which will appear at start up.
Wait for your first NAVTEX message. If you are within range of a NAVTEX transmitter, you
should not need to wait for more than four hours.
If you then want to get the best from the system, read the rest of the manual.

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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Introduction
What Is NAVTEX?
NAVTEX is a worldwide system for the broadcast and automatic reception of maritime safety
information (MSI) in English by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy. NAVTEX
provides shipping with navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information.
NAVTEX is a component of the IMO/IHO worldwide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS)
as defined by IMO Assembly resolution A.706(17). It is included within the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Since 1 August 1993, NAVTEX receiving capability has
become mandatory equipment for certain vessels under the provisions of the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
NAVTEX broadcast information is available to all seafarers, free of charge.
How Does NAVTEX Work?
NAVTEX transmissions are sent from stations situated worldwide. The power of each
transmission is regulated so as to avoid the possibility of interference between transmitters.
Each station is allocated a 10-minute time slot every 4 hours so that many stations can share
the same frequency. Stations typically have a transmission range of 250 –300 Nm.

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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NAV6 Features
The NAV6 adds a new dimension in NAVTEX functionality. The NAV6 offers simultaneous
reception on both the 518kHz international channel and the 490kHz local information channel.
Unlike other NAVTEX receivers that discard unselected messages, the large flash memory in
the NAV6 means it has the capacity to store all of the messages from transmitting stations
within its range. This allows you to recall, display and review any message at any time even if
it was not selected at the time of the transmission. A unique message processing (iNEC)
feature benefits you by decreasing errors in received messages in noisy or weak signal areas.
The NAV6plus includes all the features of the NAV6 standard including dual frequency and
when connected to an NMEA data source, it offers a range of standard and custom instrument
repeater functions. The NAV6plus includes a database of all NAVTEX stations around the
world and when connected to a GPS can be set to automatically display messages from all
stations within range or just the closest station helping to provide a much clearer picture of
the conditions in your area. Outputs are also included for connection to a serial printer or
computer.
The NAV6 eNAVTEX V3 Receiver module comes as standard with the NAV6 and NAV6plus.
The eNAVTEX V3 receiver includes a barometric display showing current air pressure, a
historical pressure plot for up to the last seven days and Beaufort forecast and a USB interface
for connection to a PC running the NAV6 eNAVTEX App. It has a large 4MB message store for
saving messages when the unit is not connected to a display device. The USB interface can
also be used for updates to the receiver and to a connected display unit.
The NAV6plus and NAV6repeater include additional instrument repeater functions. All the
information you really need at your navigation position on one large, easy to use display. With
navigation space becoming more and more restricted in modern boats, the NAV6plus
concentrates all the data you need, where you need it. It takes critical NMEA data from your
GPS or instrument systems and displays it in a highly innovative manner. An electronic log
book is updated at regular intervals and can be sent to a serial printer. These powerful
instrument and GPS repeater functions are included as standard in the NAV6plus.
The NAV6repeater can also be purchased separately without a NAVTEX receiver for use as a
stand-alone NMEA repeater. When added to an existing system, NMEA data and NAVTEX
data can also be repeated at another position such as the helm or fly bridge.
NAV6 Display Unit
The Display Unit uses a high resolution backlit LCD to display NAVTEX messages in a choice of
text sizes.
The display unit contains a large non-volatile memory to store NAVTEX messages, NAVTEX
station database, all of the user settings, filter options, LCD contrast and backlight levels. All
messages and settings are retained during power down.
Several messages can be displayed at once (depending upon the length of the message) and
messages can be scrolled with a single key-press.
Messages can be filtered using a number of user selectable settings.
The NAV6plus and NAV6repeater can be connected to a printer or computer to print
NAVTEX messages and Navigation logs.

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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Audible and visible alarms can be set up to indicate reception of SAR and/or New Messages.
A sleep mode allows long standby periods with minimum power consumption, such as when
the vessel is left in a marina with main batteries being trickle charged from the shore.
eNAVTEX Receiver Unit
The Receiver Unit contains dual receivers that can receive on both 490kHz and 518kHz
simultaneously. Up to two displays and a PC may be connected to an eNAVTEX receiver for
simultaneous operation.

NAV6 Series NAVTEX System User Guide
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The Keypad and Display
The central keys are a ‘navigation pad’ ( UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT ).
In Settings screens the LEFT key will go back to a previous level.
Softkeys 1 to 4 are situated on either side of the navigation pad. The current function is shown
on the Softkey menu area at the bottom of the LCD.
On the NAV6plus the View Indicator shows the number of top level View Screens enabled and
highlights the one currently selected. On the top level views the LEFT and RIGHT navigation
pad keys will move between View Screens. The View Screens are enabled or disabled on the
General Settings Page.
The Softkey 1 is normally the Home key and will take you back to the top level view screens
from wherever you are in the menus. Pressing the Home key twice or holding it down for
more than 2 seconds will go back to the first View Screen, which is normally the NAVTEX view
unless the display is just being used as an instrument repeater.
In the top level View Screens the Settings (Sofkey 4) will select the Settings Menu where you
can configure the NAV6.
On settings that require a change, Softkeys 2and 3, and will change the value, Softkey
3 will generally increase a value, and Softkey 2will decrease it.
Softkey 1
View Indicator
Softkey 2
Softkey 3
Softkey 4
Navigation Pad
Softkey Menu

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At the top of the display is a status bar:
The status information is displayed as a series of icons. The meaning of the icons is as follows:
Message ID for the currently selected message
An alarm is active
NMEA / GPS position data available
NMEA / GPS position data available, but unreliable
490 kHz reception available
518 kHz reception available
Receiving message now
Signal Carrier, but no message
Receiver Communication fault
SAR message received
NEW message received
UTC Time
Viewing and Scrolling through NAVTEX messages
To view NAVTEX messages you must first select the NAVTEX View Screen. Press and hold the
Home key until the NAVTEX View Screen is displayed.
Note: This assumes the NAVTEX View has not been reordered and is still the first View as from
the factory.
You can now use the UP, DOWN, keys to scroll through the displayed messages. If you press
and hold the keys the scroll speed will increase so you can scan through the messages more
quickly.
The messages currently displayed may be a sub-set of all the messages stored in memory.
Whether you can see a particular message or not depends upon the current station selection,
message filter and age limit settings (see following sections for details).
Message Storage
All received NAVTEX messages are stored in memory regardless of whether you have them
selected for viewing or not. The NAV6 has lots of memory so you will easily have enough
storage for all messages received.
The messages displayed are selected from the NAV6 memory by applying filters to show
messages from transmitting stations and types of messages required. This enables you to
change your mind later about your message display options. This means you will still be able
to view messages that were received previously, but were not selected for display at the time,
by changing the current station and message filters.