Lo‑Kata Navtex 2

Lo-Kata (Brand) Lokata Ltd.; Cornwall & Essex

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  • Year
  • 1992/1993 ?
  • Category
  • Commercial Receiver (may include amateur bands)
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 369278

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Transistors
  • Semiconductors present.
  • Semiconductors
  • Main principle
  • Special principle (see notes)
  • Wave bands
  • Wave Bands given in the notes.
  • Power type and voltage
  • Storage Battery for all (e.g. for car radios and amateur radios) / 12 /24 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • - For headphones or amp.
  • Material
  • Plastics (no bakelite or catalin)
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Lo‑Kata Navtex 2 - Lo-Kata Brand Lokata Ltd.;
  • Shape
  • Miscellaneous shapes - described under notes.
  • Notes

  • Lo‑Kata Navtex 2

    Category
    Marine information receiver (NAVTEX + HF Weather Facsimile)

    Purpose
    The Lo‑Kata Navtex 2 is a combined NAVTEX receiver and HF weather‑fax system designed for yachts and small commercial vessels requiring both text‑based maritime safety information and printed synoptic weather charts.

    It succeeded the Navtex 1, expanding the concept from a single‑frequency NAVTEX printer into a dual‑mode marine information terminal capable of receiving:

    • NAVTEX broadcasts on 518 kHz
    • HF weather facsimile charts on multiple shortwave frequencies

    The unit integrates a wider‑format thermal printer, a multi‑function control panel, and a microprocessor‑based decoder for both NBDP (NAVTEX) and facsimile modes.

    Technical Data

    Specification Details
    NAVTEX frequency 518 kHz (FSK ±85 Hz, CCIR 476‑2 / 540)
    Weather‑fax coverage HF marine bands (various frequencies depending on station)
    Modulation (NAVTEX) Narrow‑band FSK, 100 baud, FEC Mode B
    Modulation (Fax) FM facsimile, 60/90/120 lpm depending on station
    Printer Wide‑format thermal printer for charts + NAVTEX text
    Controls Multi‑function keypad (F, D, S, P buttons), mode selection, paper feed
    Power requirements 12 or 24 V DC 
    Construction Integrated receiver, decoder, and printer in a single marine‑grade enclosure
    Intended installation Chart table or navigation console

    Receiver type
    Dual‑conversion HF/MF marine communications receiver with integrated NAVTEX (518 kHz FSK) and HF weather‑facsimile demodulator. Microprocessor‑controlled decoding of CCIR 476‑2/540 NBDP and FM facsimile signals, with built‑in wide‑format thermal printer.

    Circuit / System Architecture
    Based on the 1992 Short Wave Magazine articles:

    • NAVTEX decoding uses the same FSK demodulation principles as Navtex 1
    • Additional HF front‑end and demodulator for facsimile reception
    • Microprocessor handles mode switching, chart timing, and printer control
    • Thermal printer is wider and higher‑resolution than the Navtex 1 unit

    Differences from Navtex 1

    The Navtex 2 is not merely an updated version — it is a different class of instrument:

    • Navtex 1 → NAVTEX‑only, 40‑column printer, fixed 518 kHz
    • Navtex 2 → NAVTEX + HF weather‑fax, wide‑format printer, multi‑band HF receiver

    This made the Navtex 2 suitable for offshore and ocean‑going yachts needing both GMDSS MSI and synoptic weather chart.

  • Mentioned in
  • -- Original prospect or advert (Short Wave Magazine (Jeff Harris G3LWM, Jan–Feb 1992))
  • Author
  • Model page created by Gary Cowans. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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