The following is the text of a news release from the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA):
(SEVERNA PARK, Md.) — For the first time, the National Marine Electronics Association will offer its full-day Marine Electronics Installer (MEI) training course at the International Boatbuilders Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), the nation's largest boatbuilding equipment show. The session will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3, the day prior to the opening of IBEX at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.
The NMEA MEI program promotes a high level of professional expertise in entry-level and mid-level technicians. This training is targeted at boatbuilders, marine electronics installers, marine electricians, product designers, surveyors, etc. This is an introductory course in marine electronics installation that clarifies and defines competent installation practices regardless of equipment manufacturer. Topics include: Ohms law, grounds, battery and battery chargers, DC wiring, EMI, coaxial cables, antennas, AIS, marine VHF radios, transducers, radar, heading sensors and NMEA data interfacing. Passing the MEI exam is an indication of a working knowledge of NMEA's 0400 Installation Standard.
NMEA instructor John Barry from Technical Marine Support in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., will teach the course. Lunch is included with the registration fee. Students who plan to attend this "Super Session" at IBEX can register online by clicking on the Conference/Super Sessions link at www.ibexshow.com, or they can contact NMEA at (410) 975-9425 or email info@nmea.org.
Other 1.5-hour marine electronics seminars offered by NMEA during the IBEX show include:
• Wireless Electronics — Tuesday, Oct. 4, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Digital Switching and System Integration — Wednesday, Oct. 5, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Installing Modern Audio Controls — Thursday, Oct. 6, 8:30-10 a.m.
• Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) — Thursday, Oct. 6, 12:30-2 p.m.
Students who plan to attend these seminars at IBEX can register online by clicking on the Conference/The Seminar Series link at www.ibexshow.com.
