AIS 700 software

[Shirvo]

Hi all, we recently upgraded from Catalina 34 to a very comfortable Catalina 42. The new yacht is great, very sea worthy and comfortable. But, we have one unresolved issue.
We changed the name of the boat. Not a big deal in terms of registration and signage. However...........

On board we have a SANAV AIS 700 (distributed in Australia as Oceantalk 700 AIS). In order to change the identity, within the AIS system, from previous boat name to our new name, I need a copy of the installation software. To date I have tried many avenues but have not been able to buy a copy or download a copy. The previous owner could not find his original software.

Has anyone out there encountered similar problems and/or can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks Bshirvo.

[smac999]

Most ais units use proais. You can probably find that and try it. You probably won't be able to change the mmsi number though.

[Shirvo]

Thanks SMAC999 - I will try it. cheers

[Capt Simon]

Sorry Shirvo, probably too late to help you, but hopefully others can benefit from my discovery:

The following will allow you to change the MMSI number for the
older Sanav AIS-700 (from San Jose Technologies - in Australia sold by OceanTalk). SJT and OceanTalk are long out of business so best that this knowledge is not lost to time...

Sanav AIS-700 MMSI Reset

You will need to make a simple jumper cable which connects between your usual serial plug (via USB-Serial converter is fine) and the AIS unit. This is simply a 9-pin serial jumper cable thus:

PC (9-pin Female) to AIS-700 (9-pin Male)

pin 2 to pin 6
pin 3 to pin 7
pin 5 to pin 5

Now:

Start AIS-700 software
Turn ON AIS unit
Connect at 38400
All ship's data ("User Settings") should be clear
Enter MMSI, Name, callsign, type, dimensions etc
Remove jumper cable and direct connect AIS to PC as normal
Press [Set] button

Cycle Power on the AIS-700 device (leave off at least 30 seconds)
Close AIS-700 program
Restart AIS-700 program
Connect and check!

Feel free to msg me for a better cable description or wiring diagram, or for the original Sanav software. ProAIS (ver 1) usually doesn't work with this AIS device.

[Donbo]

Thanks for this information. Just bought a boat with Oceantalk AIS 700. It has never been configured (ie used to receive only) . Do I still need the jumper, or do I connect directly with my laptop, I have the software.

[Capt Simon]

The jumper only required if you want/need to change the MMSI number.

[Donbo]

No luck getting my AIS to transmit. After inputting mmsi and restarting, there is no record saved. Blue TX light is not lit. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Capt Simon]

Not sure what "no record saved" means? Data is not being retained in device, maybe?

Be sure to press Set button after entering mmsi etc, and before changing page in the software.

If your unit same as mine, then blue LED means you're in Silent mode, ie transmit disabled ... press the red silent switch.

Rx LED is green ( should blink regularly if AIS ships in range), and the Tx LED beside it is red (will only blink every couple of minutes if you're stationary ... and assuming your MMSI is entered and you have a GPS fix)

[Donbo]

Sorry. Yes, no red Tx light. Pc seems to connect (USB to db9 cable) and I enter mmsi etc, but next time I connect, there's no mmsi recorded in the device. Pressed Set button and terminal shows activity. Will try to locate a db9 to db9 cable as it seems like the ais isn’t receiving pc data.

[Capt Simon]

Are you using proAis software or the Sanav program?

ProAis appears to work ok but doesn't save data to device. The sanav is needed for saving to work.

[Donbo]

No, I have the original Sanav cd

[Capt Simon]

Ok, a bit later I will post a way to set the mmsi directly using the DOS command line, without need for the software.
If that doesn't work then we must suspect the cable...

[Capt Simon]

Donbo,

Try this method to "fix" the mmsi number in the device...

We need a DOS window... hold the Windows key down (left of space bar) and hit 'R' key, in the "Run" dialog, type "cmd" and Enter, you'll see a DOS prompt like in the following (there'll be a folder name after the C:\ prompt - just ignore that and continue, or you can type "cd\" so your DOS window looks like this example)

C:\> //DOS prompt in Cmd Window
C:\>copy con com3 //Will write text from console to COM port... obviously replace the "3" with your COM port number
$AI010,,,@@@@@@@@@*55 //Type the text then Enter, see below - the '@' replace with your 9-digit MMSI number, and the "checksum" after the * is needed, note they are number ZERO's in the descriptor, not letter "oh"s
^Z //Type Ctrl-Z (to quit the "copy" command)
1 file(s) copied. //If you don't get this "file copied" response then you have a problem with your connection, wire or driver
C:\>

(NOTE: sorry, formatting options are limited with this forum app, everything after '//' is a comment, the following is what your screen display will look like
C:\>
C:\>copy con com3
$AI010,,,@@@@@@@@@*55
^Z
1 file(s) copied.
C:\>

After the last C:\> prompt, just type "exit" and Enter to quite the DOS window.

As noted above, replaced the '@' character with your MMSI number and the "55" with the correct checksum value for your MMSI number.

The following online checksum finder may help...
https://nmeachecksum.eqth.net/
Note with this online tool, don't enter the initial '$' symbol, or the trailing '*'.
Maybe use the above example first to ensure you're getting the right answer (in this case '55'):
AI010,,,@@@@@@@@@

[Donbo]

All good. Finally able to transmit. Used the ms dos method, but with a friend's help managed to get the ais 700 software working. Thanks for the time you've put in to help solve the problem, as once we knew the pc was talking to the ais, we could go back and problem solve the software - my computer didn’t have the right driver to communicate.

[CountingDown]

Originally Posted by Donbo

No, I have the original Sanav cd

Is there anyone who would be happy to assist me with a copy of the software for a Sanav AIS700. I need to get into it and adjust some details, add pic etc, on our “new to us” catamaran.