Transmitting Magnetic Compass
The Autonautic range of Transmitting Magnetic Compasses (TMC) are based on the successful C20 and CHH externally gimballed compasses . The TMC pickup coil may also be attached to other gimballed compasses subject to prior evaluation.
This modification converts a conventional gimballed magnetic compass into a Transmitting Magnetic Compass (TMC) by the attachment of a TMC pickup coil to the underside of the compass. Once fitted and calibrated the coil generates a NMEA0183 sentence and can be directly connected to suitable equipment without the need for additional equipment.
The encoder, which is mapped to the compass card, only needs to be connected to a 12 or 24 volt supply and to a NMEA0183 input on a suitable system. This approach is much more accurate that the traditional coils that are attached to the compass. Once installed it is ready to go. No further set up is required and because the encoder reads the compass card heading so the synchronisation between the card and NMEA sentence is preserved even after the compass has been swung.
TMC Features and Specification
The installation of an NMEA compass pickup coil allows a standard magnetic compass to be integrated into a wide range of navigation systems including:
- Compass heading for a NMEA0183 Display
- Driving multiple compass displays
- Autopilot heading
- Chart plotting and navigation data source
