Vitavox - Naval Loudspeakers and Microphones, Emergency Handsets, Submarine Loudspeakers and Watertight Loudspeakers Communicating Systems

Vitavox, a division of Secomak Ltd, is the leading defence manufacturer of marine loudspeakers, handsets and microphones supplied to the UK Ministry of Defence. This has been recognised in the UK MoD’s DEF-STANs 02-557 & 02-547 (Guide to Internal Communications Equipment Loudspeakers and Associated Items & User Requirement for Surface Ships).

Vitavox naval products are also in current service with the Australian and New Zealand Royal Navies and some 12 other Navies across the globe. Vitavox products have been installed on ships and submarines, for over 70 years. This experience has generated products that have been tried and tested in the toughest of ocean conditions.

The Vitavox naval range includes:

• Above deck watertight loudspeakers (main broadcast and intercom) that bolt on to the bulkhead for maximum rigidity
• Below deck loudspeakers used in passageways and ward rooms
• Submarine loudspeakers – used on the conning tower. These are individually pressure tested to 69bar (703m), shockproof & blast proof
• Handsets, both emergency (self powered) and RICE compatible
• Waterproof and ATEX-approved microphones
• Loud hailing Outacom System suitable for RHIB’s
• Submarine Dive Chamber Intercom System (DCIS)

Tactical battlefield communications system

The Outacom Communications System is an extremely rugged, powerful, military proven, loudspeaker and multiple audio speech input system. It may be integrated in a stand alone configuration (RHIB) to aid naval and maritime anti piracy operations. The Vitavox Outacom™ patented communications system offers the user a less than lethal option when encountering possible threats at sea. Outacom will reduce the risk of unintended civilian or military casualties and needless collateral damage. It also allows commanders and other authorised personnel the tactical ability to be heard by people located up to 250 metres from the RHIB. Speech inputs include a patented secure interconnectivity with internal vehicle communications systems, separate rugged microphones, flash memory, MP3, and secure radio. The system can be configured to meet all security needs and protocols yet remains easy and intuitive to install and use.

The Outacom Communications System is sure to be sea and battle worthy giving the operator the confidence that once deployed the system is unlikely to be affected by local environmental conditions such as sand or saltwater ingress, shock damage due to pyrotechnic explosion and exposure to hazardous conditions.

Submarine Dive Chamber Intercom System (DCIS)

The Submarine Dive Chamber Intercom is a communications system which enables embarking and disembarking divers to contact the on board control room, The Submarine DCI system consists of a pressure proof (69bar) loudspeaker/microphone on the 'wet side' and a waterproof broadcast loudspeaker, microphone and Communications Control Unit on the 'dry side'. Unlike the less than adequate existing systems, Vitavox's DCIS is intended to last the full life of the boat with minimal maintenance requirement.

Blast-proof and shock-proof watertight naval loudspeakers

Vitavox loudspeakers, designed specifically for ships, are currently British Royal Navy stock items. They are for use both above and below deck in noisy areas, such as near propulsion machinery and helicopter loading bays. They also comply with both the relevant British standards and UK MoD specifications.

The loudspeakers have been tested by the British Royal Navy to 70G force and have the critical benefit of being designed and proven to be both blast and shockwave proof. Their sheer durability and reliability makes them the best choice for communication safety and low through-life cost.

Noryl and Waterproof handheld microphones

The Type B90 Noryl handheld microphones, with press-to-speak switch, are fully watertight (except for the noise-cancelling version) and proof against shock and vibration. They are specifically designed to accommodate different types of microphone inset currently used by the Royal Navies in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The Type B60 is a completely watertight and ruggedised microphone supplied for use where handling in exposed conditions and an intrinsically safe environment is a requirement. The casing is constructed of aluminium alloy die-cast sections enclosed in a rubber cover which may be removed for maintenance purposes. The microphone can withstand heavy handling and complete saltwater immersion. It is also ATEX approved.

Submarine loudspeakers

Vitavox watertight, pressure-tight submarine loudspeakers are cone-type loudspeakers designed for external positions on submarines such as on the conning tower.

With a maximum power output of 4W these naval loudspeakers are individually pressure tested in water to 69bar. Each loudspeaker is x-rayed to ensure casting composition and integrity. The loudspeaker consists of a pressure-tight chamber formed by a body casting of high tensile naval bronze (nickel aluminium bronze) and a hinged cover of similar material. There is also an outer chamber which houses the speaker cone.

Rugged waterproof, blast proof and shockproof loudspeaker units

Our ranges of rugged loudspeakers are designed to deliver clear speech in hostile and noisy environments. There are three basic types of Vitavox 3in rugged waterproof loudspeakers and each is available in either 8Ohms or 15 Ohms.

All the units are designed for usage where a loudspeaker capable of withstanding either constant vibration and / or sudden shock is required. The lightweight version can be used in tight enclosures where space is at a premium. Both the standard and lightweight versions are available configured in reverse polarity. Also a low magnetic version has been introduced for systems requiring a reduced magnetic field signature, such as on mine hunters.

Battery-powered emergency handsets

Multiple emergency handsets can form a stand alone, non-interfering communication channel and can be configured for different purposes. Up to 50 handsets can be connected on one emergency circuit. The handsets are hard wired through standard two-wire copper cable. As these units are hard wired there is no signal barrier caused by bulkheads and other metalwork.

The system created is called ‘emergency’ because it has no requirement for power from any of the vessels systems. All power is provided by PP3 9V batteries included in each handset. Even if a ship or submarine has lost main communications through power failure the emergency systems based on these handsets will still operate.

Many ships use these as alternative communication channels, avoiding clogging the main broadcast communication system.

Each handset has approximately twelve hours of constant use which includes a battery indicator diode. During speech operation the call-tone is locked out and under normal circumstances, all users can listen to those that are speaking on the connected circuit. Operators who wish to speak press their ‘Press to talk’ switch.