Ocean Buoys?

[jcherepy]

NOAA has a number of weather buoys out in the oceans and they are too far offshore for VHF/UHF radio links. I did a search, but I've been unable to find how the data is transmitted back to shore. I'm thinking it's probably via satellite. Anyone have any other info?

 

[mmckenna]

NOAA has a number of weather buoys out in the oceans and they are too far offshore for VHF/UHF radio links. I did a search, but I've been unable to find how the data is transmitted back to shore. I'm thinking it's probably via satellite. Anyone have any other info?

GOES satellite, it's in the UHF band.

We used to place those things out there.

 

[eorange]

Buoy Communications

An Aquarius SST-1 data link reaches further, is more reliable and consumes about 75% less power than a buoy-mounted VHF/UHF data radio. It vastly outperforms LOS radios and SATCOM links out to 800 km from shore, for weather and tsunami data.

www.oceanwirelessdata.com

 

[mmckenna]

Well, I did some looking. Looks like things may have changed since then. Looks like they are using the ARGOS satellite system.

 

[jcherepy]

I helped put regular buoys out there a long time ago on the Buoy Tender Salvia.

 

[mmckenna]

I helped put regular buoys out there a long time ago on the Buoy Tender Salvia.

Ahh, good ol' black hull sailor, the real USCG. I was on the Ironwood out of Kodiak. Best job in the USCG, but so often overlooked.

 

[eorange]

What is the on-board power source for these buoys?

 

[mmckenna]

What is the on-board power source for these buoys?

Back in the 90's it was gel cell batteries and solar panels. No doubt the battery chemistry has changed a bit since then.