DMR or TETRA For Superyachts

DMR or TETRA: The ultimate showdown for yacht communication!

Are you looking for a reliable and efficient communication system for your superyacht? Do you want to stay connected with your crew, guests, and other vessels, no matter where you are in the world? If so, you may be considering the advantages of digital radio technology, and wondering which standard is best suited for your needs: DMR or TETRA.

In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits and drawbacks of DMR and TETRA for superyacht communication, and help you choose the right standard for your vessel. Whether you're looking for a cost-effective and flexible solution for small and medium-sized yachts, or a robust and scalable system for large and complex fleets, we'll provide you with the knowledge and insights you need to make an informed decision. So let's set sail and discover the world of digital radio technology for superyachts!

Interference

Are you frustrated with the overcrowded and interference-prone ITU recommended frequencies? You're not alone. In popular areas like Monaco, the limited 5 X 12.5KHz frequencies can quickly become overloaded. And to make matters worse, some countries haven't even signed up for the ITU recommendations.

But don't worry, we've got you covered. At OLAS Communications, we understand the importance of a well-designed onboard system to mitigate interference. That's why we supply a mast switch as standard, which helps to filter out exterior signals from other vessels. And when we deploy an onboard system, we make sure the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) works without the mast antenna, only activating it for tender operations. By isolating the mast, we reduce the chances of exterior signals entering the system.

But that's not all. We also ensure that with the mast disconnected, the onboard system doesn't propagate beyond 100m, in line with local spectrum restrictions. And with our Tetra customers, we've received no complaints of interference thanks to the robustness of our trunked control channel.

So if you're looking to eliminate interference and ensure a reliable connection, choose OLAS Communications for a well-designed onboard system that gets the job done.

DMR & TETRA Key Points

DMR

• DMR has 2 concurrent voice channels per repeater and requires users to press a button to speak.
• Audio quality can be a problem when switching from an analogue system to DMR due to digitization and bandwidth issues.
• Yachts may experience unclear sound with DMR and Breathing Apparatus equipment.
• DMR is less expensive than TETRA.
• DMR Tier 2 is typically locked to one vendor, such as Motorola Capacity plus or Hytera XPT.
• Alarms and text messages are best effort, as the radio may be off or out of range.
• Over the air programming is possible via RF and WiFi.

TETRA:

• TETRA has superb audio quality, making it a great choice for safety onboard.
• TETRA can replace a DECT system onboard and has direct PABX integration.
• Full-duplex calls are possible between radios and via a PABX, which means that you don't need to carry mobile phones or DECT phones.
• TETRA is incredibly interoperable with other vendors due to it being a standard across many vendors.
• TETRA provides secure communication and has authentication to prevent anyone from listening.
• TETRA efficiently uses spectrum and can provide up to 7 voice calls with 2 base radios.
• TETRA has data integration and location tracking, which can be integrated with peripheral equipment via data terminals.
• TETRA is easy to set up and has built-in dispatch software for group communication.
• Over the air programming is possible via RF and WiFi.

Overall, TETRA is a superior system for superyachts due to its excellent audio quality, secure communication, and easy integration with other equipment onboard. It also provides efficient use of the spectrum, making it a reliable and versatile choice for superyachts.