Garmin GPS - Re: list and description of navaid symbols in the MapSource US Topo

Author

Re: list and description of navaid symbols in the MapSource US Topo

Jack Erbes

2006-02-25, 11:48 pm

z.entropic wrote:

> I've been trying to google for a list of navaid symbols and their
> description/explanation. I see such symbols on MapSource US Topo 100K
> maps installed on my nuvi 350, but don't know what they are and what
> all the letters and numbers mean.
>
> For example, I assume that a red circle with FL R 4s is a red buoy
> 'blinking' every 4 seconds, but it's just a guess. Another one, a white
> circle with letters Q W is, what? White light? What about a green
> circle on land with OC (2) G 15S?

FL R 4s = flashing red 4 seconds
Q W = quick flashing white
OC (2) G 15s - group occulting 2 flashes green every 15 seconds

NOAA Chart No. 1 details these:

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/chart1/chart1hr.htm

More specifically, section P of the Aids and Services section:

http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/mcd/chart1/aids.zip

Jack

>
> My googling did not result in any useful link, yet--can one of you
> sailors help, please?
>
> z.entropic
>

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA (jackerbes at adelphia dot net)
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine dot com)

Jack Erbes

2006-02-25, 11:48 pm

z.entropic wrote:
> Great thanks; you put Google to shame!
>
> z.entropic

If google had 26 years in the Navy and was the same age I am, it could
do better. :> )

Actually, google knows all the answers, sometimes the harder part is
asking the right question.

The symbols have only changed a little over the years. But part of the
problem for me is that there is some variation in the symbols as I see
them in using different commercial electronic charts (Navionics, C-Map,
Garmin BlueChart, Magellan BlueNav, etc.) on GPS receivers and chart
plotters. Those symbols are proprietary to each company and often not
accompanied by any explanation. All of them seem based more or less on
the traditional symbols used on paper charts but there is some variation
in the different symbols and in the specifics of info that are presented
with the symbols.

Eventually we American boaters will have NOAA S57 vector charts to
replace all the NOAA RNC raster charts. On the S57 charts the symbology
will be standardized to the "International Hydrographic Organization
(IHO) Color & Symbol Specifications". The NOAA is, of course, the
agency that represents the U.S. in the IHO.

If you're really interested in the S57 electronic charting and what it
will be like, here is a document that explains it in about as easily
read a manner as I have found. Most of the stuff out of the IHO seems
to be written by and for lawyers or diplomats.

http://pollux.nss.nga.mil/NAV_PUBS/APN/Chapt-14.pdf

A while back I spent some time on the IMO web site
http://www.ohi.shom.fr/ looking for a document or booklet that showed
all the markings that are used on the newer vector charts. I did not
find one there but I did find something that said that the NOAA Chart
No. 1 is the official booklet for the U.S. agency.

If you're interested in drawing the symbols here is a document that
defines the sizes, shapes, and colors or each symbol:

http://www.ohi.shom.fr/publicat/fre....3_Addendum.pdf

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA (jackerbes at adelphia dot net)
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine dot com)

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