Steve,
While it's good that you're still around, sorry you haven't gotten things fixed yet...
--- You made no mention earlier of using a USB to serial adapter....so we didn't mention the importance of using one that works well with Sailmail / Airmail, etc...
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthPacific
I have followed as much advice as I can. LOL. Had it connect once last night so I am wondering if my SP to usb connector is buggered.
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If you read the Sailmail Primer you'll see that the Tripplite Keyspan products are recommended.
Specifically the Trpplite Keyspan USA-19HS
High Speed USB to Serial Adapter Keyspan | USA-19HS | Tripp Lite
Or, if you are in need of further USB ports, you'll see that Sailmail recommends the Edgeport units...
Specifically these
Edgeport - USB-to-serial converters - Digi International
These are in addition to the advice already given above by Bill, myself, and Scott...
--- If you've done everything already mention earlier, including but not limited to, using the USB-Serial adapters recommended, moving the KISS, installing a real RF ground, wiring your radio directly to the house
battery bank (not thru a dist. panel / breaker panel), etc. (ALL recommended in the Sailmail Primer)....and have read thru the Sailmail Primer and Application Notes, etc.
Then, you have a fairly odd problem...and we'll need some more info before we can guide you further...
--- With the new info you provided about using a USB-to-Serial adapter....
That would be the FIRST thing I'd change!!!
Some of them are flakey and they're a
cheap / simple / easy thing to change...
After that, then proceed with all the above...
And, BTW....the guys at DX Engineering are GREAT and are used to working with folks in odd locations, so they can easily ship a line isolator to you anywhere....
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthPacific
Have ferites on everything. Unfortunately not sure if I can find the isolator.
Looks like I have wasted a bunch of money and will have to go blind. Still we can only try.
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But, we assured that whatever you spent on ferrites (< $50) is money well spent....as for the money spent on tech support, well yeah that's a waste....as for "programs"??? Airmail is FREE....not sure what other e-mail/comm programs you spent money on, but most are FREE...
Now, not sure who mentioned your "small PC" was "inadequate", nor what it would be "inadequate" for....but for e-mail, basic
communications, and especially for Airmail, just about any PC made in the past 10 years is MORE than adequate!!!
(I'm starting to suspect that you haven't read the Sailmail site nor the Sailmail Primer....I know it's long and a bit "dry", but it WILL teach you a lot and SAVE you a lot of money and frustrations...)
Here again, are the direct links...
SailMail
SailMail Primer
--- Steve, I have no idea of what radio you're using, nor exactly what antenna you have (but assume it's an "alternative backstay antenna"), nor who your trying to raise on the radio (nor on what frequency or time-of-day)...
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthPacific
Bill I set up my antenna on your design for your boat, the Techy had concerns that it was almost parallel with the backstay. Is this a concern also?
Trouble is I am within 40 miles of Friday Harbour and the radio will not raise them!
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Shipcom Radio is in the process of updating the remote receivers for their station KLB (near Seattle), and as such they have NOT been able to hear from those receivers for the past week or so (although the transmitters do
work and they have used them occasionally this past week, they haven't been using them regularly this past week or so until they've completed their upgrades)...
SO...
So, if KLB is the station you've been trying to raise, there is most probably NOTHING wrong with your radio / antenna....
Usually, Shipcom Radio's station KLB (near Seattle) does broadcast hourly id's / traffic lists / etc. on 2 of their 4 HF freqs (ITU freqs 805, and 1209), and you should hear them well on 805....and also have full use of 417 and 1624 (all four of these frequency's transmitters and receivers are near
Seattle, but are controlled remotely from Mobile, AL)....
But, as I wrote above, they are in the process of updating/upgrading their remote control systems....so these 4 channels have been sporadic for the past week or so (and no receivers working at all, this past week)
BUT...
But, you should still be able to hear WLO (Shipcom's main station) on 1212 and 1641, as you move farther south!!! (and even 824 at night)...
Not sure how well you'd hear them in the Pac NW....but once near S.
Cal or farther south and west, you can work WLO fairly well (even though their KLB station is designed for "Pacific" coverage, their 4mhz and 8mhz KLB channels are mainly for the N. Pac with 12mhz and 16mhz covering the N. Pac and Central Pac (as well as some S. Pac)...
Depending on the particular day and time-of-day, you should be able to work WLO or KLB most of the way across the Pacific...
ShipCom LLC :: Marine HF Radiotelephone and HF Single SideBand Email
HF SSB Radiotelephone Email, Fax, Satellite Marine Messages, Telex Sitor & Marine Weather Services
HF SSB Radiotelephone, Telex and Email Frequencies and Channels
BTW, Shipcom also has 24/7 HF-DSC capability (using separate receivers of course), and will respond to
DSC calls promptly....and I've found if radio propagation is a bit iffy or signals are noisey, that a
DSC call gets their attention quickly and they will be calling YOU....
--- If you are trying to raise another station, I'm not aware of any other HF maritime station out there....
But, perhaps you're looking to find some "Cruiser's Net"??
West Coast Nets
---- Steve, for further advice/guidance, please advise:
Your exact radio model???
What station in Friday Harbor you were trying to raise, and at what time-of-day, and MOST IMPORTANTLY on what channel/frequency???
--- If you haven't watched these videos....PLEASE do so, before you leave for
offshore...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ll-114734.html
Even if you don't have an
Icom M-802, videos # 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 WILL be very helpful to you!!!
(especially video #4, which SHOWS how to choose the proper channel/freq for your
communications path, time-of-day, etc...)
More later, if you provide further info / questions...
Fair winds..
John
s/v Annie Laurie