Vesper Cortex after a few months
The Vesper Cortex is an AIS Class B+ SOTDMA transponder combined with VHF radio and remote monitoring. It shows amazing promise after the first few months of use.
AIS
Rendezvous initial networks
In the last 4 months, I have been developing my overall network on board Rendezvous. I wanted a good WiFi/Ethernet network to connect me to the outside world, as well as a well developed NMEA 2000 network for marine equipment while underway. So far, here’s what I have…
Lighthouse 3.3 – radar and AIS plus more
Raymarine continue to come out with updates to Lighthouse v3 that include new features and bring forward items from v2. Version 3.3 was released a few weeks ago, and includes support for older eS and gS series MFDs, Navionics Plotter Sync, and new features around radar and sonar.
AMEC WideLink SOTDMA AIS Transponder
Seattle and Elliott Bay is a busy marine location, and I am always looking for a better AIS system so that others can see me clearly. AMEC has released the B600 AIS Class B transponder with more than double the transmit power, and fast 5 second updates.
Grace’s updated network for 2017
My sailboat network is quite extensive, and I made a lot of changes in 2017 including a radar arch, new instruments, updates to connectors and more.
Proper VHF ends are easier than you think
After years of using crimp-on VHF terminals, I found an easy and much higher quality way of creating quality radio connections. Master soldering skills not required!
B&G V50 VHF radio and H50 wireless handset
I needed to replace a non-DSC VHF radio on my sailboat, and needed a helm station too. B&G offers a state of the art VHF radio with wireless handset that worked out perfectly.
Port Orchard weekend
A quick weekend trip to Port Orchard Marina. Included lots of ferries, some big waves, and a helpful current on our way home.
Sending AIS data to multiple servers over a limited cellular link
Having an AIS receiver on the sailboat means I can take that data and share it with AIS websites, as a base station. Doing that from a bandwidth-limited cellular connection creates some challenges which can be overcome with some scripting.
ACR Nauticast Class B transponder
Update Early 2015: I have since moved to a new boat, and have a Vesper XB-8000 AIS unit. The ACR … Read more
