Boat Forum / Electronics / February 2008

Don't know if there's a more suitable group for this but I thought I'd
try here first.  Furuno Felcom 82A, using Skyfile, upon initiating an
exchange, getting a message "Transfer 16.02.08.20:21:48, init error
Step 2!  and sometimes "CTS low - check modem".  Can't send or receive

I've got one Stephens Engineering Associates SEA 112 HF marine
transceiver..
Yes, it's a crusty old radio, but I'd like to fix it up. I do repair
radios from time to time, but I'm not familiar with this design at all.

Currently have a car FM with its own antenna just above deck. Wish to
use my mast-mounted marine VHF antenna for receiving broadcast FM as
well.   There are many devices available what sort of split the
antenna cable to VHF and FM.  Do these in practice provide enough

Can someone tell me the difference between the standard Charles 3.6kVA
transformer and the ISO-G2 3.6kVA transformer?  (Other than the $500
difference in price, that is.)

In my area, Lee County, IA, we have coyote hunters using
marine channel 68. In Hancock County IL a similiar use of
marine channel 69 is occurring.
It has also been noted that truckers are using Marine ch 71

My danaplus transducer is not working properly.
Do you think I can still get parts for those instruments?
Anyone (preferably from Europe) has one for sale?
Any other ideas? (is it compatible with other transducers?)

After checking my zinc anode, I'm fairly certain I'm getting
accelerated erosion of my shaft zinc anode when transmitting Sailmail
e-mail via my HF radio and PacTOR modem.
Sailmail and the PacTOR modem drive the HF radio (an ICOM IC-M710)

Does anyone have electrical and protocol info for the Si-Tex GPS-5
interface?  I connected one of the two data out lines (as traced
from a cable used to connect this GPS to the Si-Tex Nav-Add 7000
Chartplotter) to a PC RS-232 Rx input and using a terminal

I just wanted to let you know about a new Weather site for sailors
that I've developed, and I thought it could be of use to the users of
this forum... It's called PassageWeather, and it provides 7-day wind
and wave forecasts for the world.

I have a 48' CnC Landfall.  I'm looking for ideas on PC-based
navigation components.  Currently, I have two laptops running Maptech
Offshore Navigator, both of which are configured to use a Serial-USB
converter and a handheld GPS.  I also already have installed Raymarine

I have been getting conflicting advice about relative position in
regard to my radar dome.  Both will be mounted on my mast about 12 to
24 inches apart.  I have a choice of having the GPS right below the
bottom of the dome or I could put an extension and have it extend a