ICS Nav6plus User manual

Nav6plus User Guide
MAN 3008.00
Issue 2.0
ICS Electronics Limited.
Unit V, Rudford Industrial Estate
Ford, Arundel, West Sussex
BN18 0BD
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 2002, ICS Electronics Limited. All rights reserved.

Nav6 Plus 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
Do not use the sensor as a grab-handle
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.

Nav6 Plus Navtex System User Guide
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Contents
Quick Start......................................................................................5
Introduction.....................................................................................5
Nav6plus Features..........................................................................6
Advanced Operation..................................................................... 13
Navtex Mode ................................................................................ 13
Navigate Mode ............................................................................. 18
Setup Mode.................................................................................. 23
Alarm Operation............................................................................ 36
Printing Navtex And Navigation Log.............................................. 37
Output To A PC or Plotter............................................................. 38
Installation Of Sensor Unit ............................................................ 38
Installation Of Display Unit............................................................ 41
Testing The Nav6 After Installation................................................48
Maintenance and Trouble Shooting............................................... 48
Warranty....................................................................................... 50
Glossary ....................................................................................... 51
Packing List And Options.............................................................. 51
Specification................................................................................. 52
Appendix I: Navtex Station Database............................................ 54
Appendix II: Message Type Indicators........................................... 57
Appendix III: NMEA Sentences Supported.................................... 57
Appendix IV: Nav6 Menu Navigation............................................. 58
Appendix V: Nav6 Menu Structure ................................................ 59

Nav6 Plus Navtex System User Guide
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Congratulations on purchasing this superb ICS Electronics Ltd
product. It is not only an excellent Navtex receiver, but a first class
instrument repeater. 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.

Nav6 Plus Navtex System User Guide
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QUICK START
QUICK STARTQUICK START
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 just 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.
•Refer to “Appendix IV : Nav6 Menu Navigation” for an overview
of the available operating modes & how to switch between them.
•Read the “Basic Operation” section to find out how to use some
of the commonly used features of this product
•If you then want to get the best from the system, read the rest of
the manual!
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
What Is NAVTEX?
What Is NAVTEX?What Is NAVTEX?
What Is NAVTEX?
NAVTEX is a worldwide system for the broadcast and automatic
reception of maritime safety information (MSI) in English by means
of a 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.

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How Does Navtex Work?
How Does Navtex Work?How Does Navtex Work?
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.
NAV6PLUS FEATURES
NAV6PLUS FEATURESNAV6PLUS FEATURES
NAV6PLUS FEATURES
Display Unit
Display UnitDisplay Unit
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 keypress.
•Messages can be filtered and sorted using a number of user
selectable criteria.
•The Nav6plus can act as an NMEA instrument repeater and is
capable of displaying data in a choice of formats.
•The Nav6plus can be connected to a printer or computer to print
NAVTEX messages and Navigation logs.
•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.
Sensor Unit
Sensor UnitSensor Unit
Sensor Unit
•The Sensor Unit contains a short whip antenna and dual receiver
that can receive on both 490kHz and 518kHz simultaneously.
•Multiple sensors and displays can be connected together.

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BASIC OPERATION
BASIC OPERATIONBASIC OPERATION
BASIC OPERATION
The Nav6plus is a flexible & powerful tool for receiving, storing &
viewing NAVTEX messages. In order to assist you in getting the best
from your Nav6plus, read this section which contains short cuts to
the most common NAVTEX operations. Read the rest of the manual
for a comprehensive guide to the Nav6plus.
First, find your way around the keypad and the display.
•Centre keys are a ‘navigation pad’ ( UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT ).
•Softkeys are situated on either side of the navigation pad. The
current function of each softkey is shown on the soft-key menu
area at the bottom of the display.
•The mode softkey switches between the three operating ‘modes’
(Navtex, Navigate & Setup).
•The view softkey switches between ‘views’ in each operating
‘mode’. If a ‘view’ has several ‘pages’ associated with it then
these are selected with the page softkey.
•Operate the keys in this order to get to the mode that you want:
MODE →VIEW →PAGE →FUNCTION
Hint : softkeys are context sensitive and cyclical in operation, several
button presses will return you to the start of the cycle.
softkeys
navigation pad
The Keypad
FUNCTION
P
A
GE
V
I
EW
M
O
DE

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The Display
At the bottom of the display is the softkey menu area:
The softkey menu area shows what each softkey does in the current
operating mode.
•The top line of each softkey menu box indicates the option that is
currently selected.
•The bottom line of each softkey menu box indicates the current
function of that softkey.
The example above shows the Nav6plus in Navtex Mode; the right
hand softkey selects the ‘mode’ & the current mode is ‘Navtex’.
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 message at the top of the display
An alarm is active
NMEA / GPS position data available
490 kHz reception available
518 kHz reception available
Receiving message now
Signal Carrier, but no message
Sensor communication fault
SAR message received
NEW message received
UTC Time
Current softkey function
Current option

Nav6 Plus Navtex System User Guide
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Viewing & Scrolling Through Navtex Messages
To view Navtex messages you must first select the Navtex Mode.
Use the right hand softkey to change modes until ‘Navtex Mode’ is
visible in the right hand softkey menu box. You can now use the UP,
DOWN, LEFT & RIGHT keys to scroll through the displayed
messages. UP & DOWN scroll line by line, whereas LEFT & RIGHT
scroll message by message.
The messages currently displayed are 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 Nav6plus
has lots of memory so you will easily have enough storage for all
messages received in any 72 hour period. The messages displayed
are selected from the Nav6plus’ memory by applying the current
message filter preset & age limit settings. 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 message filter or age setting.
After using the Nav6plus for a while you may notice that if you
receive a particular message more than once there will only ever be
one copy in view. If a message has been received more than once
the Nav6plus will store only the best version. It even attempts to
repair corrupted messages using comparing copies of the same
message!
Filter Presets
The messages currently available for viewing on screen are selected
from the messages stored in memory by applying ‘filter presets’.
To see the current selected filter presets go to [Navtex Mode⇒
⇒⇒
⇒Filter
View]. You will notice that the left hand softkey is labelled ‘Preset’
and a number from 1 to 5 is visible. This is the currently selected
filter preset number for the this ‘filter page’. Each of the 4 filter pages
(518 Types, 518 Stns, 490 Types & 490 Stns) has its own 5 presets.
In any one of the filter pages press PRESET to change the preset
number. You will notice that the settings on the screen change with

Nav6 Plus Navtex System User Guide
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filter preset number.
Select the preset that you require for the filter page that you are
viewing and then look at the presets for the other filter pages. Note
that the preset that is displayed is the one that is currently applied to
the message display.
Multiple presets can be used for switching quickly between different
sets of messages on the screen. For instance, if you want to show
just ‘navigational warnings from all stations in range’, you can use a
preset to do this.
Although the presets are pre-programmed, you can set them to any
filter setting you require.
Tip : Use preset 1 for normal operation and only use the other
presets if you want to switch between different sets of messages on
the display.
Station Selection
If you leave your Nav6plus receiving for 72 hours you will have
received many messages (subject to your current location) and
unless you filter out those stations that are not required for display,
you will be swamped with data. This can either be done
automatically using a GPS or by using manual filter settings. In either
case go to [Navtex Mode⇒
⇒⇒
⇒Filter View⇒
⇒⇒
⇒490 or 518 Stns Page]. You
will notice that each station can be set to one of three filter settings:
Setting Operation
On Messages from station always in view (see note 1)
Off Messages from station never in view
Auto Messages from station only viewed when nearest or in
range depending upon setting (see note 1)
note 1 : messages are only displayed if they also fall within the
ageing limit, error limit and message category filter settings.
An asterisk to the right of the station name indicates that the station
is selected with the current filter setting.