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We are planning on getting one of the new intel macs, buy MacEnc, and get a new Pactor II modem (with III upgrades). Already have an Icom M802. I would appreciate any help and or advice re installing and or using the modem on the Ibook and linking it up to winlink/sailmail via bootcamp and running XP. I can't find anyone local with the expertise, so help, please. Thanks
Rick
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I can confirm Pactor (Serial with Keyspan adapter) and SailMail runs just fine on a Macbook running MS Windows XP with BootCamp.
That being said my preference for email at sea remains XGate for OS X and Iridium sat phone.
Scott Dillon
Sydney Australia
North Shore 38
CYCA
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While I appreciate that XGate and Iridium is probably a somewhat simpler and faster, possibly better solution, it is definitely a more expensive one. Unfortunately, as expensive as a new pactor modem is in Canada, it is still cheaper than one year of XGate and Iridium. Thanks for your help.
Rick
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Scot:
I have heard that The bluetooth pactor sometimes loses its connection, with either the computer or transmitter (not sure which). Has this been an issue with yours and would you recommend it over the usb version. As I haven't purchased yet, it's all moot at this point. Nothing else I have at present is connected wirelessly, so I'm open to whichever is best.
Rick
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Rick,
I haven't given it an extensive test yet as I've been gone for several months - I just got the modified modem up and running a few days before leaving the boat in December, and all seemed to work well then. However, I'm moving back onboard tomorrow and will try and give it a good test over the next few weeks in anticipation of some heavy use again this summer. I'll let you know how it goes.
Scot
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Scot,
Do you still have the usb modem? We're just up island in Cobble Hill (30 min. outside of Victoria) and, if you have the old one for sale, would be interested. Thanks for the help in any case.
Rick
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Rick,
No - they modified my USB modem to add BT to it - I didn't replace the modem. It's a fairly simple mod but the modem still had to be shipped to California.
Just got back on Jaga this afternoon after nearly 3 months and haven't had time to look at the SSB, but I'll try and power it up tomorrow and see how the BT is working with the modem. My first order of business was getting my new Engenius wifi bridge working, which is now running quite nicely.
Scot
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Scot,
Which Engenius wifi product did you choose, and how much range do you think it will give you ?
Rick
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Rick,
I got the 3220 Ext kit from Keenen Systems. I am mostly happy to have an external tranceiver as even when close by, signals are very weak down below on Jaga. I also hope I'll get reception with a mile or two (or more) so I can use it while anchored in Nanaimo and other places where I'll need greater range.
I'll have a better idea later this week when I go over to Friday Harbor. I'll be ecstatic if I can pick up BBXpress from both Friday and Fisherman Bay while siting anchored in the same spot, though that might be a bit of a stretch. I'll let you know how it goes.
Scot
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can you tell me more about your setup?
I'm actually mostly concerned about downloading just gribs via my iridium phone. Is it possible to do this with just the irridium and my mac without subscribing to anything?
write now I've got my iridium phone, my macbook, a keyspan usb-serial adapter, and a 1300 mile passage coming up where I could use good weather data.
thanks,
Adam
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If you go straight from OS X Mac Mail to an Iridium you are going to eat up a ton of air time and if the send/receive fails you will have to start all over again. Controlling when OS X Mac Mail connects and dials the Iridium will be less efficient.
I cannot emphasize how important it is to use some compression software that can reduce airtime and connection problems.
Scott Dillon
Sydney Australia
North Shore 38
CYCA
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I just had a ICOM M802 and Pactor II pro installed. I run VMWare Fusion and I plan on using Sailmail combined with Airmail and WeatherFax software. Anyone have any experience with this setup?
