Overboard Recovery
Communications
Apparatus (ORCA
)
RX-103 Receiver
User’s Manual
®
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For technical support, contact BriarTek at 703-548-7892 or through our website at
www.briartek.com.
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© 2011 BriarTek, Inc.
1.0 RX-103 Introduction
ORCA® (Overboard Recovery Communications Apparatus) is a personal water-activated man
overboard (MOB) alarm system developed by BriarTek Incorporated and utilized by the US
Navy and other mariners. The alarm system includes a transmitter, receiver and direction finder.
The receiver is a single channel VHF (121.5 MHz) receiver with an embedded microprocessor,
GPS and touchscreen LCD interface. The RX-103 is designed to receive a signal from any
ORCA
frequency (RF) signal. A visual and audible (95 dB) alarm on the receiver sounds upon receipt
of this signal indicating the identity of the MOB as well as GPS coordinates and time (GMT) of
the MOB event.
®
transmitter. When an ORCA® transmitter is activated, the transmitter emits a radio
2.0 Parts Overview
A - Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
B – Piezoelectric Buzzer
C – Power Connector
D – RX Antenna Jack
E – GPS Antenna Jack
F – Power On/Off
G – Helical antenna
H – GPS antenna
3.0 Operating Instructions
3.1 Activation (see figure 1)
a. When a transmitter from own ship is
activated, an alarm signal (continuous
warble) is activated at the receiver buzzer
(B). The ship type, hull number, and the
serial number of the transmitter are
displayed on the LCD (A).
A
B
F
E
C
G
H
D
b. When a transmitter from another vessel is
activated and within range, an alarm signal
(chirp) is sounded and the ship type and
hull number, as well as the serial number
of the transmitter, is displayed on the LCD.
c. When an alarm signal is received, whether
own ship or other, the display will indicate
the transmitter’s battery strength, either
“Good” or “Weak.”
d. Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) - RSSI is displayed on the LCD. RSSI is a
measure of the field strength (radio waves at 121.5MHz) at the antenna input.
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Figure 1
NOTE
RSSI is not a measure of beacon signal strength. This
indicator is useful for several reasons: It can help
determine if a non-ORCA® signal is interfering with the
operation of the ORCA® system. It can help to diagnose
problems with the ORCA® equipment, such as broken
antenna cables.
NOTE
RSSI is expressed in negative numbers, -141dBm being
the weakest and -10 dBm being the strongest signal.
Typically if no systems are interfering with the ORCA®
system and there are no beacons turned on, the
background signal strength level will be between -130 and
-110 dBm. If the background RSSI is stronger than -90
dBm (-10dBm > RSSI > -90 dBm), then the ORCA®
beacon will not be able to be received except in very close
proximity to the ship.
e. Audible Alarm - When the receiver detects the FM signal emitted by the transmitter, the
buzzer (B) emits a 95 dB (max) audible alarm. The audible alarm will continue to sound
until either the transmitter is turned OFF, sending an "All Clear" signal to the receiver; or
the silence button on the LCD touchscreen is selected.
NOTE
The silence button only appears on the LCD when an own
ship beacon is activated.
3.2 LCD Touchscreen Interface Components
a. No ORCA
®
Signal Present
The word “Scanning…” will appear in the center of the display. Additional information
including the date, time and signal strength will appear in the upper right hand corner.
The “Settings” and “Backlight” buttons are located along the bottom of the screen. See
figure 2.
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Figure 2
b. ORCA
®
Signal Present
Non-Own Ship Beacon: When a beacon that is programmed to another ship is activated
and within range, the buzzer will chirp and the beacon information (Ship ID, Beacon ID,
and battery condition) will appear in the lower left hand corner of the LCD. See figure 3.
Figure 3
Own Ship Beacon: When a beacon that is programmed to your own ship is activated
and within range, the buzzer will activate with a warble tone and the LCD screen will
change to the alert screen. See figure 4. The words “Man Overboard!” will appear along
with the beacon ID, elapsed time since the alarm sounded and the ship’s position at the
time of the MOB (if GPS antenna is installed and connected).
Figure 4
To silence the alarm without canceling the alarm, press the “Silence Alarm” button on
the LCD. To cancel the alarm, press the “Clear Selected MOB” button on the LCD. This
function is provided to allow the user the ability to remove the ID information from the
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system in the event it did not receive the "All Clear" from a transmitter after a successful
rescue or during testing. See figure 5.
Figure 5
To return to the home screen press the “Return to Scanning” button.
c. Volume and Backlight - The receiver's volume and brightness can be adjusted by
entering the Settings screen. From the home screen press the Settings button and a
volume and backlight screen will appear. See figure 6. To adjust the volume or display
brightness (backlight), press and slide the indicator to the desired level. (Right to
increase, left to decrease.) The “Test Volume” button allows the user to activate the
buzzer to test the volume settings. Once the desired adjustment has been made, press
the “Apply” button and the display will return to the home screen. During low light or nolight situations, press the “Backlight” button on the home screen to toggle the backlight
on and off.
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Figure 6
NOTE
Pressing the Backlight button during "darken ship"
operations is not recommended as this may impair
watchstander night vision.
4.0 Installation Notes
The installation notes provided herein are intended to serve as a guide only. They do not serve
as material required for the certification of technicians for the installation, repair or alteration of
the ORCA
4.1 Receiver
a. General
b. Mounting the receiver
c. Power connection
4.2 Receiver Antenna
a. General
®
system.
The RX-103 is typically installed in the pilothouse and should be mounted in a location
so that the audible alarm is easily heard and the touchscreen control buttons are easily
accessible and readable by watch standers.
The receiver should be mounted to a fiddleboard or part of the super structure such as a
bulkhead. Mount the receiver brackets using appropriate fasteners (self-tapping screws
or 1/4x20 machine screws with locknuts/washers). The receiver brackets are designed
with slots to allow for flexibility in mounting the receiver. See section 6.0 for receiver
mounting dimensions. Once the brackets are securely mounted, secure the receiver to
the brackets by inserting the threaded mounts (4) into each of the bracket side slots (2
each x 2 brackets). Finally, adjust the angle of the receiver by tilting forward or back as
desired and thread the knobs (4) onto each of the threaded mounts until snug.
Twelve or twenty four volts DC is required to provide power to the system. An optional
battery backup will supply power to the receiver for 1 hour in the event power to the
circuit is lost.
The receiver antenna should be located in an elevated location (above the pilothouse or
vessel’s mast) to ensure that the ORCA
®
signal is received. The higher the antenna is
mounted, the better range can be expected. In addition, to avoid signal loss caused by
excessive cable length, the coaxial cable length between the RX 103 receiver and
antenna should not exceed 150 feet.
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b. Mounting the receiver and GPS antennas
The receiver antenna is over molded to a 90 stainless steel bracket and coaxial cable.
The GPS antenna is bolted to a 90 stainless steel bracket. Each bracket has 2 holes
which are used for securing to a foundation (see section 6.0 for receiver and GPS
antenna bracket hole dimensions). The foundation should be stainless steel and welded
or bolted to the super structure or mast. A UHF connector is supplied with the
antenna/cable. For cable assembly and installation instructions, follow the guidance
provided in the Receiver Antenna/Cable Install Guide located on the BriarTek website.
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5.0 Parts List
System Subsystem Part Number Component Description (Nameplate Data) Mfr
ORCA Receiver ORCARX-103
Receiver: 95 dB audible alarm; touchscreen LCD; hardened enclosure;
mounting bracket; 121.5 MHz; power requirement: 12-24 VDC
BriarTek
ORCA Receiver ORCARX-A102
Receive antenna: overmolded helical antenna with mounting bracket and
25’ coaxial cable, UHF connector, fasteners
BriarTek
ORCA Receiver ORCARX-
GA102A
GPS antenna: Screw-mounted GPS antenna with 25' coaxial cable and
mounting bracket, SMA connectors, heat shrink and fasteners
BriarTek
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6.0 Specifications
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7.0 Warranty
BriarTek will provide a one-year warranty on the ORCA® system following the
date of original purchase.
If a component fails to function properly during its warranty period (one year),
the manufacturer will proceed according to its warranty as follows:
BriarTek Inc. guarantees each product it distributes to be free from defective
materials and workmanship and agrees to remedy any such defect, or to
furnish a new or equal part in exchange (at its option) for a period of one year
from the date the component is purchased. For an exchange of the product,
please contact BriarTek at 703-548-7892 or on the web at www.briartek.com
and a customer service representative will provide the necessary instructions.
This warranty is void if:
any component has been subject to misuse or improper installation by a
non-BriarTek employee or a non-BriarTek certified technician, or has been
repaired or altered by a non-BriarTek employee or a non-BriarTek certified
technician.
any component fails to function properly after being put into service due to
something other than defective materials or workmanship, i.e. excessive
temperature, humidity or shock while component is in storage.
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Notes:
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