GMDSS Tester MRTS-7M

Description

Marine Radio Test Set  MRTS-7M (GMDSS Multi Tester) is designed to carry out the mandatory periodical or annual surveys of all range of GMDSS equipment: AIS Stations, EPIRBs, MF/HF/VHF Radios with DSC and NAVTEX receivers in accordance with IMO A.948 (23) or A.997(25), A.1020(26), resolutions and MSC.1/Circ.1252, MSC.1/Circ.1039, 1040 circular letters. 

Marine Radio Test Set  MRTS-7M is all-in-one now.

The MRTS-7M is the device capable to provide accurate, independent operation test of the following equipment:

• VHF receiver-transmitters
• VHF DSC Controllers
• VHF Watch Receivers
• AIS Class A, AIS Class B, AtoN, AIS Base stations
• AIS-SARTs
• EPIRB, PLB
• MF/HF radiotelephone equipment
• MF/HF DSC Controllers
• MF/HF Watch Receivers
• NAVTEX equipment

The GMDSS Multi Tester MRTS-7M is specified equipment for radio inspectors performing mandatory, periodical surveys of ship-borne communication equipment.

The tester allows ensuring the GMDSS equipment meets the appropriate performance requirements.

The Marine Radio Test System MRTS-7M is capable to transmit and receive the signal by:

• broadcast antenna
• direct connection by means of power sensor meter, attenuator and cables (conductive measurements)

All the test procedures are provided in accordance with international standards, such as:

• IMO A.948 (23) or A.997(25), A.1020(26) resolutions (for marine radio stations);
• The circular letter MSC.1/Circ.1252 (for AIS stations);
• IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1039, 1040 (for C/S beacons);
• IMO Resolution A.802(19), SOLAS-74/88 (for SART).

Specification / Features

MRTS-7M supports testing of the following equipment:

1. VHF receiver-transmitters

• operation tests on any simplex channel including 6, 9, 13 and 16 channels
• measurement of frequency and frequency deviation
• measurement of antenna feeder SWR and reflected power

2. VHF receiver-transmitters with DSC

• test of correct transmission/reception of DSC messages by means of transmission/reception of selective Test call to particular MMSI number and Distress (to all ships) messages
• check the MMSI code programmed in equipment without any broadcast emission
• measurement of frequency and frequency deviation
• measurement of output and reflected power

3. EPIRBs

• Measure power on 406MHz channel
• Measure frequency on 406MHz channel
• Measurement of total transmission time of 406MHz signal
• Measurement of unmodulated carrier duration of 406MHz signal
• Estimation of the positive/negative phase deviation of modulated signal
• All 406MHz COSPAS-SARSAT protocols will be decoded
• Reception the signal within the range of 406.020…406.040MHz frequencies
• Mesare frequency and power level on 121.5 MHz
• Easy and quick audio-control of the sweep signal presence on 121.5MHz frequency

4. AIS Stations, AIS-SART

• Measure AIS frequencies (on channels 1, 2);
• Measure or estimate the AIS transmitted power (on channels 1, 2);
• Receive and decode the AIS messages;
• Send the data to AIS stations;
• Pass the DSC polling information (channel 70);
• Check AIS answer to so called “virtual vessel”;
• Simulate NMEA data transmissions;
• Simulate AIS data transmissions, such as ship’s name, position, length, course, speed, power and beam;
• Transmit and receive the DSC messages of different types for VHF stations;
• Check the AIS-SART operation facilities;
• Receive the data from pilot plug or external sensors.

5. MF/HF radiotelephone equipment

• measurement of frequency in range (1600 – 30000) kHz
• operation tests in frequency range (1600 – 30000) kHz
• measurement of output power

6. MF/HF controllers with DSC

• check the MMSI code programmed in equipment
• check receipt of  DISTRESS signal by MF/HF equipment with DSC by means of transmit of selective DISTRESS message

7. MF/HF radiotelephone equipment with DSC

• test of correct transmission/reception of DSC messages by means of transmission/reception of selective Test call to particular MMSI number and Distress (to all ships) messages on any of 6 distress channels

8. NAVTEX equipment

• operation tests by means of sending one of two available test messages on any of three frequencies: 490 kHz, 518 kHz or 4209.5 kHz

9. VHF equipment of duplex radiotelephony with airplanes including operating on 121.5MHz and 123.1MHz

• operation tests by transmission/reception of modulated signal
• frequency and power level measurements

10. VHF equipment of duplex radiotelephony (portable)

• operation tests on channels 6, 9, 13, 16 (at least)
• measurement of output power, carrier frequency and frequency deviation

11. VHF radiotelephone stations operating in range (300 - 337) MHz (intended for river-sea vessels)

• measurement of output power, carrier frequency and frequency deviation

12. MRTS-7M can be used as RF Signal Generator

• device allows to generate the RF signals in range of 0,5 – 30 MHz

13. MRTS-7M can be used as Frequency meter

• device allows to measure the signal frequency in range 0,4 – 30 MHz, 118 – 137.5 MHz and 156 – 163 MHz

14. The tester is capable to transmit and receive the signal by:

• broadcast antenna
• direct connection by means of attenuator and cables

Connection to PC

The newest software is designed to make survey work easier.

The device can be connected by means of standard USB A - USB B cable. Special software is available for download. 

The software is compatible with Windows, MAC OS X and Linux. It provides possibility of automatic generation of IMO-like reports for all types of tested equipment. Even more, now a surveyor can generate one combined report of all the safety equipment tested on a vessel. 

A surveyor’s paper work can be now reduced to minimum: just generate a report, print it and sign! Or save it and send by e-mail. Add your company header with the logo and contacts in the user's profile, thus the test reports will be automatically generated with the header selected.

Linux, OS X and Windows 10 don’t require any drivers installation. For Windows 7 and earlier versions STM driver should be installed for proper connection on first run.

Latest update:

Windows 32 bits is supported! Before running the software please install FTDI drivers (available by link in DOWNLOAD section).

Complete set of GMDSS Tester MRTS-7M

Complete set of the tester:

1. MF/HF/VHF Marine Radio Test System (MRTS – 7M)
2. Power supply unit
3. VHF/MF/HF telescopic antenna
4. VHF Pow-VSWR meter (60W)
5. MF/HF Attenuator 200W - optional
6. USB-A – USB-B cable
7. NMEA IN/OUT cable (DB9 fem – open wire 1.5m)
8. User Manual
9. Calibration Certificate
10. Watertight & crushproof plastic box

Technical description

Operational frequencies:

VHF range all simplex channels:  156,000-163,000 MHz 

VHF range CH70:   156,525 MHz

MF/HF Range: 400 - 30 000 kHz

MF range DSC Mode:

• 2187.5 kHz – Distress frequency;
• 2177.0 kHz – Traffic frequency;
• 2189.5 kHz – Traffic frequency.

HF range DSC Mode:

• 4207.5 kHz
• 6312.0 kHz
• 8414.5 kHz
• 12577.0 kHz
• 16804.5 kHz

Measurement accuracy:

• Frequency measurement general: +/- 0.2 ppm +/-1 digit
• Frequency measurement at CH70: +/- 0.2kHz

Ouput signal:

Stability of output frequencies (GTXO-91V/EN 19.20MHz):

• Frequency setup accuracy at +25°С: ±1,0 ppm ;
• Temperature stability of frequency in range of  0 … +45°С:  ±0,5 ppm ;
• Aging rate: not more ±1,0 ppm/year for first year.

Levels of output signals in DSC mode:

Max. POW level:

• VHF range: -13 dBm ± 1 dB;
• MF/HF range:  -13 dBm ± 1 dB.

Min. POW level:

• VHF range: -99 dBm ± 3 dB;
• MF/HF range:  -99 dBm ± 3 dB

Levels of output signals in MF/HF and VHF Synthesizer mode.

• 400 - 30 000 kHz: 13 dBm ± 1,0 dB
• 156 000 - 163 000 kHz: 13 dBm ± 1,0 dB

Signal attenuation range:  0 - 93  dB