Beam’s RemoteSAT satellite terminal is very well suited for weather report

Ranger, the 41 meter J class sailing yacht is using Beam’s RemoteSAT satellite phone onboard. They use it to download vital weather reports.

Ranger was completed in late December 2003 and departed Denmark in early January 2004. After a successful transatlantic crossing Ranger cruised the Caribbean before commencing her racing program in April. Early April saw Ranger competing in the St Barth’s Bucket race for yachts over 100ft., which this year had an excellent turnout of 22 yachts. Despite light winds on both days Ranger performed very well in the event, allowing the crew and guests to get some valuable practice before the more official and demanding Antigua Classic Regatta.

Ranger is now preparing for the 2013 season, which kicks off with the St Barth’s Bucket. This regatta will see five J boats on the start line racing for the hundred Guina Cup as well as the Bucket J Class award.

Weather reports are vital

The crew uses RemoteSAT to download weather reports when they are off shore. They sail from the carribean to either Newport R.I or Palma Mallorca twice a year and on those trips the satellite equipment is used.

“We have a fuel range of about 7 days and the longest legs of our transatlantic passages are 14 days long, so we need to sail for at least 7 days, which makes the weather info we download vital” said Mark O’Brien, Engineer at the SY Ranger.

Reliable phone
RemoteSAT RST100 combines the robust design with the intelligent technology to support RJ11 / POTS, voice and data services over the Iridium satellite network. The RemoteSAT terminal is equipped with a range of interfaces to support the use of standard corded/cordless phones or integrated PABX communications. RemoteSAT RST100 also gives the option to access voice services using a compact intelligent user handset.

RemoteSAT, RST100, terminal is capable of presenting dial, busy and ring tones to suit country specific requirements as well as auto-dial or restricted dial functionality. It also supports access to the complete range of data services provided by Iridium including Short Burst Data, Circuit Switched Data and Direct Internet as well as SMS.

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions depend on Beam equipment

Reliable communications is not an option rather it is an imperative component in the base camp. Beam’s products are an integral part to their services, the RST100 base station units, RST600 data units and RST620 units have all proven to be robust and functional under the tough conditions.

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE) operates the largest seasonal field camp in Antarctica. Situated at Patriot Hills, Antarctica (80 Deg 81 S 081 W), ALE provides support for intercontinental flights for tourists visiting the South Geographic Pole such as:

• travels from Chile to the Patriot Hills Blue Ice Runway;
• private expeditions to climb Antarctica’s highest Mountain, Mt Vinson;
• adventurers making the long journey man-hauling to the South Pole from various points on the coast;
• short journeys using essentially man power to haul a sledge under the tough conditions on the Polar Plateau.

In addition ALE also provides logistics support for organizations such as British Antarctic Survey, National Science Foundation and KOPRI (Korean Polar Research Institute) as required for research and development within the vicinity of Patriot Hills.

Unlike many organizations, ALE do not have the resources to solve issues arising from poor equipment selection, rather it must rely on the first time selection of reliable and durable equipment that are cost effective. In particular, the RST620 unit installed in one of the Prinoth BR-350 SnoCat hauled traverse trains travelled a remarkable 3200 kms over 40 days starting in late December 2007. Throughout its journey, the RST620 never missed a beat in the important role of providing daily situation reports back to base as the traverse train made
the long haul from Patriot Hills up the South Pole, then onward toward the South Pole of Relative Inacessability and return.

Peter McDowell, one of the partners who formed Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions
said, “We simply depend on our Beam equipment to be reliable, robust and
economical and to this point we’re very happy (snow) campers.”



RST100



RST620