Sound Signals

[Sydknee]

I don't know if its me, that I'm new to boating, my age or a general thing but when out on the water I can never remember how many blasts of the horn mean what.

 

Not that I have ever heard anyone else in my few months of boating using theirs either so I'm not sure how usefull this little device would be. Your comments are very welcome!

 

If anyone is interested in this and would like the code (which is very simple) and the circuit diagram let me know.

 

So back at home I started playing around with an Arduino (well a breadboard version as I'm a cheap skate)to while away the hours until I can get the boat down the Nene.

 

I was looking for ideas and suddenly thought of a Horn Blaster!

 

So after writing the code and programing the Arduino it works (In Theory as not connected in the boat yet).

 

7 Buttons, one Relay board and a small Speaker is all that is needed (other than the Arduino)

 

The Relay board would be connected to the Horn Switch and the control box could be placed in an easy to reach location. These units use very little power as they can be powered by USB so less than 500mA. A 9V battery or 4 AA would power this for a long time if you didn't want to connect it to your 12v supply.

 

There are Seven Buttons

 

1 - Going to the Right

2 - Going to the Left

3 - I'm Stopping or going Backwards

4 - Turing Round to the Right

5 - Turning Round to the Left

6 - I Can't Manoeuvre

7 - Manual

[mrsmelly]

I don't know if its me, that I'm new to boating, my age or a general thing but when out on the water I can never remember how many blasts of the horn mean what.

 

Not that I have ever heard anyone else in my few months of boating using theirs either so I'm not sure how usefull this little device would be. Your comments are very welcome!

 

If anyone is interested in this and would like the code (which is very simple) and the circuit diagram let me know.

 

So back at home I started playing around with an Arduino (well a breadboard version as I'm a cheap skate)to while away the hours until I can get the boat down the Nene.

 

I was looking for ideas and suddenly thought of a Horn Blaster!

 

So after writing the code and programing the Arduino it works (In Theory as not connected in the boat yet).

 

7 Buttons, one Relay board and a small Speaker is all that is needed (other than the Arduino)

 

The Relay board would be connected to the Horn Switch and the control box could be placed in an easy to reach location. These units use very little power as they can be powered by USB so less than 500mA. A 9V battery or 4 AA would power this for a long time if you didn't want to connect it to your 12v supply.

 

There are Seven Buttons

 

1 - Going to the Right

2 - Going to the Left

3 - I'm Stopping or going Backwards

4 - Turing Round to the Right

5 - Turning Round to the Left

6 - I Can't Manoeuvre

7 - Manual

 

 

Oh dear you had better do more homework. Do you mean long or short blasts?

For instance 3 short blast means " My engine/engines are going astern "

5 short blasts means " I do not understand your intentions "

And of course there are many more several of which consist of a mixture of long and short blasts....

 

Tim

Edited February 11, 2013 by mrsmelly

[nicknorman]

Not forgetting 1 very long and loud blast which means "I am coming through regardless, get out of my way" (usually used by a larger vessel against a smaller vessel)

 

Seriously, an interesting project but "proper" sound signals are not used on the inland non-commercial canals. I suppose they might be on big scary waterways with commercial traffic.

[alan_fincher]

Seriously, an interesting project but "proper" sound signals are not used on the inland non-commercial canals. I suppose they might be on big scary waterways with commercial traffic.

They are certainly used by commercial vessels on the tidal Thames through London, so useful to be able to interpret their meaning, (although the lock-keepers do give a handy hand-out for those struggling to remember them off by heart).

 

However I particularly noted that a bit like some motor drivers "traficator" signals the sound signals are often used to tell you what manoeuvre is already very much in progress, rather than as an indication it is about to start!

[Skye]

I've voted no to this one, mainly due to experience of peoples knowledge of them..

 

After a few boating holidays I thought I was doing the right thing by taking the Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate on which we were instructed on the various signals. However after putting them into practice, at best I was treated to ignorance of them and at worst "no need to blast your horn at me at could see you!"

 

I only tend to use one now, long blast at blind corners!, do revert back to proper use when on the A&C N when you can meet up with proper boats!

[RLWP]

Skye beat me to it, have a greenie

 

Richard

[Richard10002]

I'm not convinced you can hear the sound of another boat's horn over the sound of the engine, unless right on top of you?

[keble]

I'm not convinced you can hear the sound of another boat's horn over the sound of the engine, unless right on top of you?

You can if its a BIG BW thingy bearing down on you in Glos docks!

[Wanted]

[Skye]

 

Isn't that the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats cheerleaders dance moves

[Jerra]

 

I think I have translated it correctly but that last word comes out a little odd. SOGNA?

[Grace and Favour]

I'm not convinced you can hear the sound of another boat's horn over the sound of the engine, unless right on top of you?

 

You'd hear mine - I assure you

 

But then, I fitted horns that would work as required, and not simply to pass muster every four years

[Radiomariner]

I think the OP has a valid novelilty idea, and I applaud it. However it's not much use to him when he wishes to understand signals from the other vessel!

(If you do not speak Japanese, do not use the only few words you know to open a conversation!)

A laminated printed sheet of the signal meanings near the steering position would be of much greater use.

[Bobbybass]

Several times..on the Thames, I have been 'cut up' by boaters sculling across my bows.

 

I have used my horn, to indicate which way I will then maneuver ...so as not to kill the silly sods...( I often also put our my arm like an old fashioned traffic signal ..to help indicate)

 

In ALL cases..they don't understand the signals...and raise their fingers in versions of their own signals !!..just assuming that I was being arsey in blowing my horn...

 

Maybe on the busy tidal part it may mean something....but not really on the non-tidal.

 

Nice idea though..

 

How about further adapting in for the 'scullers' above...where a large foam hand with two fingers sticking up..shoots out of the roof ?

[Robbo]

I don't know if its me, that I'm new to boating, my age or a general thing but when out on the water I can never remember how many blasts of the horn mean what.

 

What your suggesting is not new - http://www.kahlenberg.co.uk/marine-sound-signals/sound-signal-controls

 

But as you can't remember them and no one on the canals can either then how would you know what's been said?

[Nine of Hearts]

To echo Skye and RLWP, I find that no ready reckoner is necessary as to most canal users, this applies;

 

n blasts on horn = there is a boat.

 

I never use anything more esoteric than 2 for left and 1 for right when maneuvering, and that just in case anyone nearby does know and so will be a little better informed as to my intentions at a junction or whatever. To everyone else I am just saying, "I am negotiating this junction".

[Jerra]

However it's not much use to him when he wishes to understand signals from the other vessel!

 

I think you are wrong there, assuming he has some sort of labels on the buttons (in a row), all he has to do is count the blasts (which he would have to do any way). Then six blasts - 6th button is labelled ...........

 

However I don't know that many/any on inland waters use sound signals, perhaps if everybody had one of these gizmos they would.

[Radiomariner]

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I think you are wrong there, assuming he has some sort of labels on the buttons (in a row), all he has to do is count the blasts (which he would have to do any way). Then six blasts - 6th button is labelled ...........

 

However I don't know that many/any on inland waters use sound signals, perhaps if everybody had one of these gizmos they would.

 

But there are long blasts, short blast, groups of blasts, he could have quite a complex list next to his row of buttons. However, on your second point, I agree, I only use 1. 2, 3, and Long blasts myself, and find that about 15% understand 1 short blast, about 50% actually understand two short blasts, less than 1% seem to understand three short blasts, (But do perk up and take interest but not always the right action), and nearly 99% seem to understand that a long blast means, "get out of my way" or "for f***s sake cant you see me" or "Hi there, havent seen you for ages" and many other varients all diffenentiated by hand guestures!

Edited February 12, 2013 by Radiomariner

[Naughty Cal]

Not forgetting 1 very long and loud blast which means "I am coming through regardless, get out of my way" (usually used by a larger vessel against a smaller vessel)

 

Seriously, an interesting project but "proper" sound signals are not used on the inland non-commercial canals. I suppose they might be on big scary waterways with commercial traffic.

 

Yes they are. We have to use them coming out of our marina where you enter the canal blind. I'm sure there are many more cases as well

[bizzard]

A hooter that makes a loud and unusual sound is best, not one that goes Beep beep!!! or Parp parp!!! as these can be confused with motor car horns on nearby roads and cause all manner of confusion and possible accidents with boats. And not like railway train horns either that go Daaa-dee!!!! Dee-daaaaaaah or DAAARRRR-de!!.

 

Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaarp!!!.

[Paul C]

My favourite is using the horn just as you go under a hump back bridge, just as a car is also approaching the bridge. If you get the timing right, you're in the bridge hole so the car can't see you, so they're convinced another car is coming and wait.

[Sydknee]

I like your idea Paul! Many years ago while fitting an alarm to my mates Ford Escort Mk II fitted a small button connected to his horn under the dash board on the passengers side.

 

When going a long I would duck down and bib the horn at people (mainly girls with a good personality!). He used to get well anoyed!

 

This was just for something to do while there was nothing on TV but talentless Shows and trying to come up with projects to go on the boat. Digital Dashboard was my first idea then thought that needs to much work.

[Radiomariner]

I dont think it would help to have such an automatic system unless a new signal is derived to read "Sorry, I pressed wrong button. I meant.......!" (Correct button next)

Edited February 12, 2013 by Radiomariner

[bizzard]

Beep beep!!......beep beep!!....... Beep beep beep beep beep beep!!!!, that little bubble boats still right behind and he keeps on beeping his horn, beep beep!!......beep beep, beep beep beep beep!!!!.

[Odana]

I thought the horn was for raising the crew from slumber to make tea? At least that's what I've been told by Himself.

 

As noone knows the horn signals I suspect this might not be a big seller. We could go with 4 way indicators instead? Or for those who like it, a motion-activated "SLOW DOWN" siren.