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How to Use This Website

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The website has a scrolling ‘news feed’ of items (see below) listed in date order, most recent first. You might prefer to access information from the general list of topics shown under “Categories” which appear to the right or beneath the ‘news feed’ depending on what device you are using. There is also a “search bar” facility, plus you can subscribe by email. If you’d like a demonstration sail, please click the Trial Sail item on the main menu bar above.

Buoybot RTK Beacon…..Accuracy an inch or less each way !!

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A couple of people have asked what the RTK Beacon of the new Buoybots looks like.

Well this is it:-

You’ll notice that during a race session, it has to be absolutely firmly in place for RTK to work properly, ….though we shall take it down after each day’s racing.

I have one on my house(!), and when offered a choice of aluminium or steel pole, the answer from the engineer was, “use steel every time!”.

RTK’s main application to date (I understand) is in the Construction Industry – especially for accurately locating under-ground assets…. like when they dig up your High Street. There is plenty of information about it online, but here is a quick item

https://pointonenav.com/news/what-is-rtk-real-time-kinematic/

You would have to be a very sharp eyed member of Datchet Radio Sailing to spot that the controller looks like it is a new casing. As can happen to anyone, if you get a crack in it… you just print another one.

I really have to learn more about this 3D printing idea!…..

Understanding RTK: A Guide for Beginners
Understanding RTK: A Guide for Beginners

Buoybot GPS Robot Race Marks Trialling at Datchet…..!!

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(This is the controller for the Buoybot kit, in case you’re wondering what it looks like!)

Are you trying robot race marks at your Club??  We have had them at Datchet for a while, and were getting occasional position stability and range challenges.  We were probably becoming a little dis-spirited, but… all that is behind us NOW!!!

The Buoybots have just been upgraded from GPS to the new in-thing … “RTK”.   The RTK system is a combination of GPS plus a new fixed point RTK beacon on the shore.  To get position accuracy of maybe plus or minus 5cms (!), the buoys work out signal timing differences between a satellite and the RTK beacon.  Clever kit!   Honestly, traditional marks on sinker lines move more than 5cms!

Five of the marks were in use at Datchet today.  They hosted six hours of races – including course adjustments for wind direction changes.  The buoys held station and had plenty of radio range, even for Datchet. 

The buoys, the RTK station and the Controller have some pretty generous  battery capacities aboard (2200-5000mah) but after six hours generally used 40-60% of battery capacity.  So full-on race days look pretty practical !! 

Can’t wait to see more of them !!

Bouybot Trial – GPS Robotic Marker Buoys

IOM Worlds – Two Weeks To Go !!!

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As we approach the last two weeks a ton of work is underway at the Club. Nice little article at this link on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Y2pbGVQt/?mibextid=wwXIfr