Task 15.  Establish a communications system.

Proposer should quote the proper communications network to provide uninterrupted communications between the vessels and the control center. Each Proposer should supply a detailed description and design of his recommended communication network. 

The data communications system should support two-way data communication between vessels and the shore monitor station with the possibility of adding a voice line at a latter date.  An existing voice channel is now available on the vessels but will be independent and separate from the data channel. The proposed data system should minimize the number of frequencies required while providing adequate communication to all 200 vessels with expansion to 500 vessels

1. Vessel Data Communications

An appropriate radio telemetry system operating in the 403-433 Mhz band should be specified or integrated into the shipboard equipment, including appropriate antenna. The operation of this equipment must be totally automatic and require no operator intervention after system power-up.

2. Shore Data Communications

The shore-based data communication subsystem must reliably transfer radio signals between vessels and the shore monitor station.  All necessary communication towers, land-lines, etc. need to be specified as well as required radio frequencies.