[C320-list] Interesting info on LED lights

[Gene Gammon]

Here is an interesting safety alert from the USCG.

SAFETY ALERT - LED LIGHTING INTERFERENCE VHF FREQUENCIES

United States Coast Guard
Inspections and Compliance Directorate
Washington, DC

August 15, 2018

Safety Alert 13-18

Let us enlighten you about LED lighting!
Potential interference of VHF-FM Radio and AIS Reception.

The U.S. Coast Guard has received reports from crews, ship owners, inspectors and other mariners regarding poor reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, digital selective calling (DSC) and automatic identification systems (AIS) when in the vicinity of light emitting diode (LED) lighting on-board ships (e.g., navigation lights, searchlights and floodlights, interior and exterior lights, adornment).

Radio frequency interference caused by these LED lamps were found to create potential safety hazards. For example, the maritime rescue coordination center in one port was unable to contact a ship involved in a traffic separation scheme incident by VHF radio. That ship also experienced very poor AIS reception. Other ships in different ports have experienced degradation of the VHF receivers, including AIS, caused by their LED navigation lights. LED lighting installed near VHF antennas has also shown to compound the reception.

Strong radio interference from LED sources may not be immediately evident to maritime radio users. Nonetheless, it may be possible to test for the presence of LED interference by using the following procedures:

1. Turn off LED light(s).
2. Tune the VHF radio to a quiet channel (e.g. Ch. 13).
3. Adjust the VHF radio's squelch control until the radio outputs audio noise.
4. Re-adjust the VHF radio's squelch control until the audio noise is quiet, only slightly above the noise threshold.
5. Turn on the LED light(s).
* If the radio now outputs audio noise, then the LED lights have raised the noise floor. (Noise floor is generally the amount of interfering signals / static received beyond the specific signal or channel being monitored.)
6. If the radio does not output audio noise, then the LED lights have not raised the noise floor.

If the noise floor is found to have been raised, then it is likely that both shipboard VHF marine radio and AIS reception are being degraded by LED lighting.

In order to determine the full impact of this interference, the Coast Guard requests those experiencing this problem to report their experiences to Coast Guard Navigation Center . Select "Maritime Telecommunications" on the subject drop down list, then briefly describe the make and model of LED lighting and radios effected, distance from lighting to antennas and radios effected, and any other information that may help understand the scope of the problem.

This Safety Alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational, or material requirement. Developed by the U.S. Coast Guard, Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Policy Division. Distributed by the Office of Investigations and Analysis. Questions may be sent to HQS-PF-fldr-CGF-INV at uscg.mil.


Gene Gammon, Capt.


________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Doug Treff <doug at treff.us>
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 5:08 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rocna Plow anchor

My feedback - I have a Mantus and I coudn't be happier!

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Thu, Aug 16, 2018, at 11:52 AM, Chris Burti wrote:
> We have the Vulcan... no issues, no regrets it fits just fine on the OEM
> anchor roller. It was on sale and in stock when I needed it. If offered a
> choice at the same price, I believe that I would prefer the design of the
> Rocna original, but it is just a theoretical preference.
>
> Fair winds,
> Chris Burti
> Commitment #867
> Farmville, NC
>
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 16, 2018 at 11:25 AM Jeffrey Brown <oceanblues at mac.com> wrote:
>
> > Anyone have comments on the  Rocna Vulcan vs. Rocna original design?
> >
> > Jeff Brown
> > "Out of the blue" Dana Point, CA
> > Catalina 320, Hull 78
> > (949) 350-5123
> > oceanblues at mac.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Aug 15, 2018, at 6:33 PM, Greg Flanagan <greg.flanagan at shaw.ca>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Get a Rocna 15—the perfect anchor for the 320! 😄
> > >
> > > Greg
> > > Hoop Dancer #1076
> > > Sidney, BC
> > >
> > >> On Aug 15, 2018, at 3:52 PM, Jeffrey Brown <oceanblues at mac.com> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Has anyone purchased a Norestar plow anchor for their 320? Trying to
> > determine if it will fit on mine and here any feedback. Thanks.
> > >>
> > >> Jeff Brown
> > >> Hull 78
> > >>
> > >> Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >