Frequently Asked Questions
2. Will the signal transmit through the hull of the boat?
3. I have a boat larger than 20m, can I use this product?
4. Can I mix and match headsets?
5. Do I need to have someone instal this product on my boat?
6. Can the MOB alert be communicated to rescue co-ordinators?
7. Will the Bluetooth interfere with my other navigational instruments?
8. Can I use my own Bluetooth headset/device with this product?
9. How long is the battery life on the headsets?
10. The audio jack sockets - can I connect these in to any audio device?
11. Can anyone else hear our Bluetooth conversations?
12. Can I easily transfer Deckband between vessels?
13. Can I use Deckband to board another boat or marine structure?
14. Can Deckband support confidential communication for exhibition sales teams?
15. Can Deckband support staff training or teacher development through remote communication?
16. Can Deckband support on-court communication for tennis doubles?
17. What other applications does Deckband support?
18. Can Deckband be used as a conference call hub?
Yes. To IP54, the international standard for Ingress Protection that indicates splashproof status. Deckband can be protected from water or dust ingress to the international standard IP54, commonly referred to as splashproof. The Deckband hub is designed for mounting internally on a sail or motor cruiser and we generally advise against external mounting where excess sun or moisture could deteriorate the product. However, we recognize that some applications, such as lightweight yacht racing and ribs, benefit from the ability to position the hub in a weather-exposed environment. For such applications we recommend the purchase of the optional silicone hub enclosure (available from late June), which provides IP54 protection to the hub. For the benefit of internal and external use, the printed circuit board has been conformally coated to minimize the risk of damage due to a damp environment. The DeckMate headset is fully IP54 protected. The microphone and earpiece, though not enclosed, will continue to function after water exposure at the IP54 level. The Iqua SmartBadge headset, when fitted with the supplied silicone case, is resistant to water ingress to IP54 standard, though on submersion will fail and trigger a MOB alarm at the Deckband hub. In practice, even for a weather-exposed crew member, the headset is not exposed to substantial water impact as it should be worn inside waterproof clothing. The silicone case is designed to be peeled back to enable charging, but all other functions operate through the silicone case.
2. Will the signal transmit through the hull of the boat?
Tests have shown that the signal does not degrade significantly for transmissions through wood, GRP or glass of standard thickness for boat construction, though care should be taken in siting the hub to minimise oblique transmissions through multiple layers. For vessels with steel or aluminium coachroofs and/or bulkheads, we advocate the higher power DeckMate headsets. On larger vessels (over 13m) with heavy teak decking, the higher power headsets may also be advisable.
3. I have a boat larger than 20m, can I use this product?
The standard Bluetooth Class 2 signal is designed to work up to a distance of 10m with a clear line of sight. In practice, both headsets exceed this distance by a considerable margin. However, physical barriers such as hull structure and human bodies will reduce the penetrating distance. In practice, the SmartBadge has been shown to be at its limits at the bow of a 14m boat if the wearer's body is between the hub and the headset,but can extend to 20m or more if hung around the back of the neck or dropped in a hood. The DeckMate will extend to a greater distance, with corresponding distances being 20m and 25m. The DeckDuo function of the DeckMate can allow bilateral communication for typically 200m with adequate sound quality.
4. Can I mix and match headsets?
Deckband Leisure uses SmartBadge headsets; Deckband Professional uses DeckMate headsets. The difference between the two offerings is purely the headset configuration - in all other respects the units are identical. Customers who order Deckband Leisure 4 can purchase a pair of DeckMates to provide a 4-2 configuration, offering high talk-time for long passages on the SmartBadges, with high power DeckMates available for occasional anchoring or pontoon use. Deckband Professional 4 users can purchase a pair of SmartBadges to achieve a corresponding mix. SmartBadges and DeckMates can be used on the same network. SmartBadges have the advantage of longer operating time. DeckMates have more powerful penetration, and boast the alternative DeckDuo protocol. In other respects the styles of headset will appeal differently to different customers. Deckband is supplied with a minimum of 4 headsets. Further headsets can be purchased in packs of 2. Customers should be aware that only 6 headsets can be connected to one hub.
5. Do I need to have someone instal this product on my boat?
Deckband can be used in Desktop mode, where with the aid of strong suction caps it can simply be placed on the chart table and used independently, either with the charged internal battery or with a charge cable to a 230v or 12v power source on your boat. However, most users will wish to instal the product in a permanent position, for which we would recommend you consult a qualified marine electrician. Detailed installation instructions are available on the downloads page. Optimum installation will entail connection to 12v power; connection to the vessel's NMEA network to enable receipt of GPS data and transmission of MOB alerts; connection to the vessel's VHF radio to enable distribution of VHF received audio to crew members.
6. Can the MOB alert be communicated to rescue co-ordinators?
In a MOB situation, the best source of rescue is the vessel from which the casualty fell, which is what makes Deckband so effective. At present, rescue services do not advocate an automatic connection between MOB alert devices and distress signalling, because of the danger of false alarms. However, Deckband is configured to receive input from other devices in standard NMEA 0183 format on vessel position, and to output a message identifying a MOB incident in terms of time and place, which can then be incorporated in any future device for automatic relay of MOB information. We recommend SeaTrack plotting software for use with Deckband, since it offers a unique position prediction facility, calculating an updated predicted position for the casualty from live data on GPS and boat speed. The more powerful DeckMate headset will not necessarily generate a MOB alert if is not submerged and it remains within a short distance of the vessel. A conscious casualty may activate the alert instantly by powering off. After powering on again, the headset may be available for the vessel to reconnect voice, enabling the casualty to communicate with the vessel.
7. Will the Bluetooth interfere with my other navigational instruments?
No. This product has been tested for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and its emissions have been found to be within required limits. It is important that all other devices onboard are compliant with EMC requirements, as non-compliant devices can cause interference or disconnection.
8. Can I use my own Bluetooth headset/device with this product?
Yes you can. Waterborne Ltd has conducted a significant amount of research on Bluetooth headsets from around the world, and concluded that the SmartBadge and DeckMate headsets offer the best configuration for customers, taking into account: sound quality; range penetration; management of wind noise; control of feedback between headsets; ease of use and wear; and value for money. However, Bluetooth is a protocol designed for interoperability. The Deckband hub has been tested for interoperability (reference QDID B03597), and many other mobile phone headsets can be used with Deckband, just as the SmartBadge and DeckMate headsets are excellent pairing partners for many mobile phones, extending the value of a Deckband system purchase to office and home use.
9. How long is the battery life on the headsets?
The SmartBadge was partly chosen for its superior battery life. Once fully charged, the badge can operate in talk mode for up to 40 hours or on standby for 600 hours. The DeckMate headset can run for up to 12-15 hours talk time or 100 hours standby on a single charge. The hub battery will run for 4 hours disconnected from its 12v or 230v power supply.
10. The audio jack sockets - can I connect these in to any audio device?
Yes. Should the skipper in their infinite wisdom decide that all members of the network should be listening to the same MP3 (or a blow by blow account of the cricket) then either the side jack (navigator connection) or the rear jack (VHF radio connection) can be plugged into an audio player and played into every earphone.
11. Can anyone else hear our Bluetooth conversations?
No. With Bluetooth confidentiality is assured as a device must be paired in order to access the network. Be sure to use the Quick Pair facility remote from other Bluetooth users to avoid inadvertently admitting another user to your network!
12. Can I easily transfer Deckband between vessels?
The Deckband unit can be conveniently operated in Desktop mode from any vessel or even used for applications off the water (for example for a conference call, with the telephone unit connected to the navigator audio socket).
13. Can I use Deckband to board another boat or marine structure?
We recommend the Deckband Professional range for operations involving conversation between adjacent boats. The Deckband connection to the DeckMate headsets is somewhat stronger and can extend further than the SmartBadge headsets. If either of the vessels is an open boat such as a rib, the line of communication between the hub and DeckMates will normally serve this situation well. If the conversation between the two vessels is of a critical nature, or if both boats are of a cabin structure such that a double penetration of boat structure is likely to be necessary, it may be advisable to switch to DeckDuo mode, a special provision of the Deckband Professional offering which allows for a super-extended range of 500m between two DeckMate headsets operating on their alternative bilateral protocol. However, it should be noted that in this DeckDuo mode, multipoint connection via the Deckband hub will not be possible and the MOB alert facility will not operate. Users can switch between Deckband and DeckDuo modes with a few simple key depressions. For emergency service personnel using helmets, a modified headset configuration is available to fit the headsets to the helmets. Please contact sales@deckband.co.uk for further information.
14. Can Deckband support confidential communication for exhibition sales teams?
Yes. Imagine the situation where a sales team member is discussing an offer with a customer. The sales manager can overhear the conversation and identifies a strategy to advance the sale. Discreet advice via the headsets passes the suggestion to the sales team member without compromising the established relationship with the customer. Or imagine a situation where a low-prospect conversation needs to be wound up to free up the sales team member for a high-prospect conversation. With Deckband, this can be done swiftly and delicately.
15. Can Deckband support staff training or teacher development through remote communication?
Yes. Imagine the opportunity to place the trainee in a real situation, but with "in-the-ear" advice from a coach. The coach can hear the trainee's speech and the ambient response, and can make valuable contextual suggestions to improve performance and build the trainee's confidence. Note that Waterborne offers special discounts on its products for teacher development in schools. Contact sales@deckband.co.uk for more details.
16. Can Deckband support on-court communication for tennis doubles?
Yes. Consider the DeckMate pair option, with its Deckduo bilateral communication facility, as an inexpensive way of improving communication between doubles partners.
17. What other applications does Deckband support?
Deckband supports effective and confidential communication between emergency service personnel. Deckband supports effective and confidential communication between team members in a rowing eight. Deckband supports effective communication between scaffolding or other construction personnel. Deckband supports effective and confidential communication between close-quarter security teams. Deckband supports effective and confidential communication between a coach and sports team members.
18. Can Deckband be used as a conference call hub?
Yes. Any phone can be connected to the hub through the side-mounted audio jack, and then 6 Deckband participants can listen to a call in perfect clarity, without having to shout from the end of the boardroom table to be heard by the counterparty!