Furuno, FAX-30 Black Box WEATHER FAXCIMILE RECEIVER

The Furuno FAX-30 Black Box Weather Facsimile Receiver is a marine electronic device designed to provide vital weather and navigation information to vessels at sea. Its “black box” design means it’s a compact, self-contained unit without its own display, intended to integrate seamlessly with existing multi-function displays (MFDs) like Furuno’s NavNet series or a standard PC.

Core Function and Purpose:

The FAX-30’s primary function is to receive and display weather charts, forecasts, warnings, and NAVTEX messages transmitted via radio facsimile. In a marine environment where internet connectivity can be unreliable or costly, this device provides a crucial, subscription-free source of up-to-date meteorological and safety information, enhancing safety and efficiency of navigation.

Technical Specification

General:

Product Name: Black Box Weather Facsimile Receiver
Model: FAX-30
Display Type: Black Box (No integrated display; requires external NavNet MFD or PC)
Compatibility: Furuno NavNet 3D, NavNet TZtouch, NavNet TZtouch2, and standard PCs with Ethernet connectivity.
Operating System (for PC connection): Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista (as per older documentation, but likely functions with newer Windows versions via web browser).
Web Browser (for PC connection): Internet Explorer Ver. 5.01 SP2/5.5 SP2/6.0 SP1/7.0, Netscape Communicator Ver. 4.78/6.2/7.0 (newer browsers generally work but may vary).
Connectivity: Ethernet (10Base-T TCP/IP) for NavNet and PC connection.

Reception Capabilities:

Frequency Range (FAX):
- LF: 80 kHz to 160 kHz
- MF/HF: 2 MHz to 25 MHz
Frequency Range (NAVTEX):
- 490 kHz (National)
- 518 kHz (International)
Class of Emission:
- FAX: F3C, J3C
- NAVTEX: F1B
Receiving System: Double Superheterodyne
Number of Channels: 1000 channels (user-programmable)
Scanning Speed (FAX): 60, 90, 120, 180 or 240 r.p.m., automatic or manual selection
Index of Cooperation (IOC): 576 or 288, automatic or manual selection
Noise Rejection: High-performance filters for clearer images.

Storage and Display (when connected to NavNet/PC):

FAX Image Storage: Up to 12 pictures (internal memory, depending on file size).
NAVTEX Message Storage: Up to 130 messages.
Display Features:
- Thumbnail view for easy selection of stored images.
- Images can be rotated and zoomed.
- Selectable Display Colors: Monochrome, 8 shades of gray, blue shades, pink and black, red and blue.
PC Printing: Selected images/messages can be printed via a PC-interfaced printer.

Power and Physical:

Power Supply: 12-24 VDC (Volts Direct Current)
Power Consumption: 15 W Max.
Dimensions (Approximate):
- Height: 300 mm (11.8 inches)
- Width: 217 mm (8.5 inches)
- Depth: 48 mm (1.9 inches)
Weight: 2.0 kg (4.4 lbs)
Water Resistance: Complies with IEC 60529 standard (meaning it is designed to withstand marine environments, often interpreted as splash-proof or drip-proof).