Panbo Forum

AIS direct to WiFi?

2010-03-17T17:31:02Z

I have ordered an Apple iPad (3G-64GB). I'll be running iNavX on it.
I want to get the AIS sig to iNavX via WiFi. Do you know of a WiFi bridge (dongle etc) that I could plug into my USB Keyspan adapter and transmit the AIS data to the iPad, where iNavX would pick it up via TCP/IP? --- Tom

Selecting connector to connect NMEA 0183 to NMEA2K net

2010-03-17T07:14:48Z

I'm bulding out my all new Maretron NMEA 2000 network and I want to incorporate the existing depth sounder because I'm waiting for Airmar to come out with their solid state depth/speed/temp instrument.

The existing Standard Horizon DS50 depth sounder says in the manual it outputs NMEA 0183 and refers to the connector as a 5-pin Fuji.

I have seen the Maretron AT10 (http://www.maretron.com/products/at10.php) but it has bare wires for the NMEA 0183 connection. It would seem as though I could cut off the fuji connector and mate the wires, but the manual has no information on color coding of the wiring and I'm not sure if NMEA 0183 had any standard wiring scheme.

Is that the correct approach to take or is there another adapter\translator I could use that has the Fuji connector?

Thanks!
-patrick

Radio Ocean 4800

2010-03-15T10:33:41Z

hi folks,

a acquaintance told me that the Radio Ocean 4800 does only recieve data on chanel A. Is it true? I'm very shocked because i want to buy it.
Do you have any experiences with it? Can you confirm it?

cu michael

iPad

2010-03-13T21:45:10Z

Well, someone had to start this. My only starter on this is - do not forget that the wifi only iPad models have no gps. BTW, if we ever do get iPad multitasking I note that at least with my gps imbedded on the internal wwan card [as in the ipad] my Lenovo T400 laptop it provides the gps data to however many apps are requesting it. This is very handy if you want to have, say, CE running and also google maps/world etc side by side or just to pick up POI info. You can also do this with additional 3rd party 'gps virtualizing' software and an external usb gps Brian

Garmin Ends CD-ROM Chart Updates

2010-03-13T04:52:12Z

On page 5 of Practical Sailor it says that Garmin CD ROM Chart Updates have ended.

Ouch? The Garmin 60C and GPSMAP 76CS maps cannot be updated, or is there some work around with other cartography? In addition to these almost like new handhelds being my backup (all three gps, route, and way points) they have been ideal when I charter boats that have no charplotters.

1) Some work around, perhaps also works with Garmin MapSource ?

2) Does Garmin offer free upgrade to the last version of now outdated cartography, so the 60C and 76CS is useful for some considerable additional period of time ?

AIS personal beacon

2010-03-11T11:56:50Z

Hey Ben,

do you know that ?
http://www.weatherdock.com/en/easyrescue.php

A new product we selling.

SSB Ground Plane

2010-03-11T05:16:53Z

I am seriously considering installing an SSB in my little Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 foot sailboat, but really do not want to drill any holes in the hull for the ground plane. Has anyone tried the SSB Counterpoise system as sold by this outfit?

http://www.kiss-ssb.com/

I spoke with the manufacturer today and it sounds like a workable system and will not need any real mods to install in the boat.

Any feedback or opinions would be appreciated!

Help me design electronics system for 28' sailboat

2010-03-10T17:55:16Z

First post here. Boat is 1987 Freedom 28 sailing sloop (6,000# displacement). Used for daysailing & coastal cruising in New England.

Currently has 1987 vintage VHF & datamarine Speed, depth, & wind installed.

Leaning towards a Garmin centered system based on past experience. Intuitive ease of use is important to the admiral.

Desired components
Multifunction display - either a 10-" 4000 series Garmin plus a 700 series (to display wind, speed depth data primarily, chartplotter secondary) or a singe 12" 4000 series plus 2 or 3 GMI10 instruments. Location: At the helm - mounted to the edson pedestal guard. If I go with dual displays, I figure it will be easier to read radar and chart data at the same time, or am I wasting $$ - is a 12" big enough for everything?

Does anyone make a "pod" that is compatible with a built in gps antenna? Most I've seen are aluminum - seems to me that would inhibit reception?

New speed, depth & wind sensors - Is it worth springing for the Airmar ultrasonic sensors??? Any N2K issues with them? The Merrimac river has considerable current which kept the speed paddlewheel moving last season w/o any maintainance.

HD Radar 4kw mounted on edson pole at transom (The freedom has a carbon fiber spar that I am hesitant to put holes in).

Autopilot? (perhaps next season) - Looking for a reasonably priced option - everyone says below decks is better, but $$$$$ - is a wheel mount reasonable for a 28 footer?

New fixed VHF with DSC - leaning towards Standard Horizon

Connection to laptop at nav station for shore based planning. Can I electronically transmit waypoints to the Garmin MFD over the N2K network or do I need to download to the memory stick?

What am I missing? - Is AIS overkill? Boat is moored in Newburyport - little if any commercial traffic (some fishing charters).

How fast do the tank sensors read (refersh rate)? I have 2 small water tanks ~20 gallons each, I end up overfilling them every time since you can't get a visual on how full they are.

Thanks in advance for your feeback. Looking to make some purchases the end of the month during Defender's warehouse sale.

AIS - Furuno FA 50

2010-03-09T20:52:34Z

I've been researching this whole AIS install and for sure will be going with a Furuno unit as that gives me the most options and integrates well with my Furuno system.

What's the practicality of putting an FA 50 on a 30' boat? I fish and cruise a lot in crowded and foggy waterways here in the northwest.

I love the thought of being able to see ships marking on my chart plotter and knowing course and speed. But then I got to thinking that I'm a heck of a lot harder to see for a big ship than vice versa and it might be a good idea to broadcast as well.

Reading the info on the FA 50 it's obvious that it's a more complicated install. If I read it correctly you need an additional GPS antenna as well as a VHF antenna. It also mentions having a 10m seperation of two VHF antenna's. Well that won't be possible so how important is that seperation?

Any thoughts appreciated.

110v ac to 12v dc power supply

2010-03-09T16:06:37Z

Please help with some advice on suppliers of high efficiency marine 110v ac to 12v dc power supplies that are suitable for powering 12v n2k electronics. High quality and offshore relability are essential.
Thanks, Brian

Northstar 6000i problems

2010-03-09T07:05:28Z

Hi have a Northstar 6000i and upon powering up i have the following problems any help appreciated.

1/ Makes me enter the serial #everytime before doing checks?
2/ NG and NONVOL comes up failed test.Push clear to continue
3/ Wont save settings such as feet to meters and brightness control.

Otherwise works fine.

Northstar 6000i problems

2010-03-09T07:05:23Z

Hi have a Northstar 6000i and upon powering up i have the following problems any help appreciated.

1/ Makes me enter the serial #everytime before doing checks?
2/ NG and NONVOL comes up failed test.Push clear to continue
3/ Wont save settings such as feet to meters and brightness control.

Otherwise works fine.

12v HDMI monitor?

2010-03-07T17:19:55Z

Reed wrote:

"I've been looking to reduce the power consumption of my on-board computer (currently a Mac Mini), and came across a Nettop made in Israel, called the Fit PC2. It's a 12VDC unit, no fan, tiny size, lots of USB ports. It seems just about perfect for power stingy sailboats. My only gripe with it is the HDMI screen connection. All the small digital monitors I'm finding no longer have the 12VDC power brick that made older monitors (all VGA) perfect for 12VDC boat systems."

N2K and heavily loaded network

2010-03-06T08:07:52Z

I have recently completed an electronics re-fit which includes wind, speed & depth, 5 tank tranducers, 3 N2K gateways, 2 engine transducers, 1 garmin display, 2 Offshore displays on a Maretron cabled backbone however my offshore displays randomly "miss" data. The following explanation has been given and I am wondering, as my N2K view and Garmin display are not replicating the problem if this is more localised than I am led to believe?

"Data packets on the network are limited to 8 byte groups and where it is required to send longer messages these are grouped together in what are called "fast packets" which are groups of 8 bytes to a maximum length of up to 233 bytes. NMEA2000 certification currently requires all certified devices to be able to handle 2 concurrent interleaved fast packet incoming messages into two buffers, decode and assemble the messages in real time and when the message is complete hand it to the computer to process it and free up the fast packet buffer. The standard states that if a device starts to receive a third fast packet message whilst still assembling the first two then the third message is to be abandoned.

What is happening is that on heavy used systems, and yours is certainly one of these, traffic levels can be such that this can sometimes occur."

I find it difficult to accept that my system is classed as heavily loaded!

Any experienced responses appreciated.

Custom labels for break panel?

2010-03-03T18:24:51Z

Hello all. I am looking for a source for custom labels for AC & DC breaker panels. Finished labels should look similar to these preprinted Blue Sea labels:

http://bluesea.com/category/8/34/productline/225

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

/afb