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If I get the above AIS unit, will my G4 iBook be powerful enough? ?? ??? ????

Quote:If I get the above AIS unit, will my G4 iBook be powerful enough?

Yes, but make sure you have OS X 10.4 and you have the maximum memory allowed by that model.

GPSNavX Wrote:

Quote:If I get the above AIS unit, will my G4 iBook be powerful enough?

Yes, but make sure you have OS X 10.4 and you have the maximum memory allowed by that model.

Yes, I have the maximum amount of RAM installed. I suppose I will need to get another serial>USB converter as well.

A couple ways to interface AIS to a Mac.

1) A miniplex lite..
http://www.shipmodul.com/en/miniplex-lite.html

2) A Keyspan Adapter..
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa19hs/
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa4...epage.spml

Make sure the proper driver is installed and the 38,400 rate is selected in the AIS panel settings drawer.

GPSNavX Wrote:A couple ways to interface AIS to a Mac.

1) A miniplex lite..
http://www.shipmodul.com/en/miniplex-lite.html

2) A Keyspan Adapter..
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa19hs/
http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa4...epage.spml

Make sure the proper driver is installed and the 38,400 rate is selected in the AIS panel settings drawer.

I already have the Keyspan single one for the GPS. Is there a double or is they 4-port one the next step?

NMEA RMC from GPS

Does this mean I can daisy-chain the GPS in to the AIS Engine and then in to the iBook, meaning I won't have to buy another Keyspan adaptor?

Yes you can daisy chain a GPS to the NASA unit, BUT you will only get the RMC message through meaning all other NMEA messages from the GPS are filtered out. So no sateliite info, no active route or waypoint info. Not recommended. If you wish to daisy chain I would look at the SR-161 AIS receiver instead. I believe its a better unit and lower cost.

GPSNavX Wrote:Yes you can daisy chain a GPS to the NASA unit, BUT you will only get the RMC message through meaning all other NMEA messages from the GPS are filtered out. So no sateliite info, no active route or waypoint info. Not recommended. If you wish to daisy chain I would look at the SR-161 AIS receiver instead. I believe its a better unit and lower cost.

Understood. So, it would safer to buy another Keyspan with more ports, right?

Yes using a Keyspan with more ports is one option, but I recommend a Multiplexer..

http://www.shipmodul.com/en/miniplex-lite.html

The SR-161 AIS receiver does not filter the GPS sentences, has LED status lights and is cheaper.

GPSNavX Wrote:Yes using a Keyspan with more ports is one option, but I recommend a Multiplexer..

http://www.shipmodul.com/en/miniplex-lite.html

The SR-161 AIS receiver does not filter the GPS sentences, has LED status lights and is cheaper.

What make is the SR-161 AIS? I am in the UK, so I am not sure we can get what you guys can.

I would like to hide the AIS gizmo. Is this practical?

Check this page for more infos:

http://smartradio.diytrade.com/sdp/96914...74856.html

I bought mine from Stentec, Netherlands with a portable AIS antenna (19 €), so I can use it on charter sailing boats too :-)

http://stentec.com/software/frame_i.html

Click on the hadrware link GPS hardware

http://www.mijnwinkel.nl/shop4235/productlist4/?

look for SR161

I think it's avaible in UK too.

cyberhusky Wrote:Check this page for more infos:

http://smartradio.diytrade.com/sdp/96914...74856.html

I bought mine from Stentec, Netherlands with a portable AIS antenna (19 €), so I can use it on charter sailing boats too :-)

http://stentec.com/software/frame_i.html

Click on the hadrware link GPS hardware

http://www.mijnwinkel.nl/shop4235/productlist4/?

look for SR161

I think it's avaible in UK too.

Thats great. Many thanks.

What's the neatest antenna one can buy?

I have just successfully completed an AIS installation using:

- MAC G4 laptop with 512MB
- macENC software
- SR-161 AIS
- Smart Radio VHF Antenna Splitter
<both can be seen on http://www.milltechmarine.com/products.htm>
- Keyspan RS-232 to USB converter

To remove the need for an additional Keyspan box, I ran the NMEA data from my other instruments (GPS etc) at 4800 baud into the SR-161 AIS box which does an exact pass through, combines the NMEA data with the AIS data, and transmits it all at 38400 baud.

The most difficult part was building the cable for a AIS, NMEA, Keyspan box connection.

rirvine Wrote:I have just successfully completed an AIS installation using:

- MAC G4 laptop with 512MB
- macENC software
- SR-161 AIS
- Smart Radio VHF Antenna Splitter
<both can be seen on http://www.milltechmarine.com/products.htm>
- Keyspan RS-232 to USB converter

To remove the need for an additional Keyspan box, I ran the NMEA data from my other instruments (GPS etc) at 4800 baud into the SR-161 AIS box which does an exact pass through, combines the NMEA data with the AIS data, and transmits it all at 38400 baud.

The most difficult part was building the cable for a AIS, NMEA, Keyspan box connection.

So you can use a splitter with an existing masthead VHF antenna? Any downsides?

None that I have noticed todate. I have successfully done two-way radio checks with boat with 10 miles and can receive the CG and VTS as well as before the active splitter was installed.

Becasue of wiring configuration limitation, the active splitter is on the antenna side of the VHF / AMFM passive splitter. VHF radio ---> VHF/AMFM splitter ---> Active splitter ---> Antenna

I was careful to get the activie splitter and the VHF radio on the same breaker/fuse so that both either have power or both do not have power. The AIS box is on a separate breaker / fuse.