Yesterday I managed to install the AIS unit I brought along. I found a decent place to mount the VHF antenna. Connections were straight forward but (I guess no surprises) it didn’t work first time. So began the task of upgrading the software on my chartplotter. This took a few iterations and although I’ve benefited from being up to date, there was no progress with the AIS. I then tried hooking the AIS to my PC. Fortunately I had a USB to serial adapter but no drivers nor, as it turns out, hyperterminal for Vista. With these minor issues addressed I was able to connect and see AIS strings being sent. Good. In theory I should have been able to connect the units at 38400 baud but I tried bringing it down to 4800. This worked. The AIS install still requires some tidying up which will need a few extra bits and pieces but it was nice to see the ship info on the chartplotter.
I also made some progress with the SSB install. With Helen’s helped we fished most of the distance between the tuner and the main unit. I’ve also run the anternna wire out to the transom compartment ready to be run outside to the antenna. Today I reckon we should be able to get things hooked up and begin testing. I hope to finally get my email over short wave going. The last time this was working was during our previous life in Berkeley Heights NJ.
During the day we took a break and met Des and Sue (from Desue) at a local hotel where there was an art exhibition. I mainly talked boat stuff with Des while the rest wondered around.
Last night we had Pat, Tom, Ann and Jim over again to say goodbye to Pat & Tom. They’re finally leaving today. We’ll probably see them around but this is (they reckon) their last one here before heading off for the Virgins. Perhaps we’ll again meet up down the islands.
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