The auhtor of this pages stands for the safeguarding of the frequency 500 kHz for a UNESCO
intangible cultural heritage and given by relevant international agencies a status according
to the ITU rules. It should be given to and used under those circumstances which display the
history of maritime radio communication like museums, coast- and shipstations, or ham radio
amateurs in case of scietific experiments as well. A commercial usage is not permitted.

Item	Pro	Contra
NAVTEX on 518/490 kHz	No investments necessary; in use since 1993;	Existing NAVTEX claimed to be to slow for information exchange; approximately 65 lines of text with 60 character / line (1 page, ~ 3600 character) per timeslot is available
NAVTEX on 500 kHz or other	All options for a fast and extended complete new system with space for large documents to transmit on a more frequent time basis because of the high speed of transmission	High investments necessary for coast- and ship stations; New system is not compatible with existing systems or existing systems must be upgraded for a new input channel and new method of information exchange, e.g. a complete new receiving apparatus is necessary
NAVTEX on 518 kHz	In case it is technical realizable to integrate an additional and faster NAVTEX to the existing transmission protocol there are minor investments on coast station side; existing NAVTEX receivers on board will receive the slow original broadcasts, new receivers / software will decode transmissions by selection and present it.	At the time begin there have been no test if it does work at all; Calculations show an about double as much amount of text as in standard NAVTEX transmissions (2 pages at 7200 characters).
NAVTEX on VHF	For nearby information of shipping over a distance of up to a 60 miles a new NAVTEX service will give an advantage. This service could be highly automated managed by computer by means of 'text to speach' features to transmit the messages. Telex transmissions for printout could be realized as well. For voice transmissions no additional equipment required on board of ships.	The limited range of this kind of service is the only disadvantage.
NAVTEX on Internet	NAVTEX information is available on internet as well. User has to check the entries themselfe and will not be informed upon new items or alerts.	Extra charge for every contact to shore.

Version 18DEC10