The use of radio frequency systems in the marine environment

Radio frequency systems have been married to the marine environment for over three-quarters of a century. Since the days of Marconi, when seagoing spark-gap transmitters, miles of antenna wire, and crystal sets were "high-tech", radio systems have provided communications, navigation, and data telemetry functions for vessels ranging in size and shape from the mightiest dreadnoughts to the latest autonomous submersible systems. This paper will review the development of marine oriented RF systems, examine the current state-of-the-art technology, and try to predict the direction of future electromagnetic-marine systems.