B&G Zeus and ais question

[Javelin]

When looking at the information screen on a vessel on my Zeus2 there is a button (bottom left) called - "Call"
Now my assumption is that this would instigate a dsc call to that vessel via the mmsi number given that you have a nmea 2k compatible radio connected to the backbone. (which I have and is listed in the Zeus sources)
Is this assumption correct and if so Any ideas why it is not working?

or is this call button used for something else as I can't find reference to it in the manual with any substance.

 

[miyagimoon]

When looking at the information screen on a vessel on my Zeus2 there is a button (bottom left) called - "Call"
Now my assumption is that this would instigate a dsc call to that vessel via the mmsi number given that you have a nmea 2k compatible radio connected to the backbone. (which I have and is listed in the Zeus sources)
Is this assumption correct and if so Any ideas why it is not working?

or is this call button used for something else as I can't find reference to it in the manual with any substance.

Page 79 of my Zues 2 Operations manual tells you that you can initiate a DSC call to other vessels if you have a VHF radio supporting DSC calls over NMEA 2000. But that's about all it says. The manual Is in general very poor.

 

[wizard]

When looking at the information screen on a vessel on my Zeus2 there is a button (bottom left) called - "Call"
Now my assumption is that this would instigate a dsc call to that vessel via the mmsi number given that you have a nmea 2k compatible radio connected to the backbone. (which I have and is listed in the Zeus sources)
Is this assumption correct and if so Any ideas why it is not working?

or is this call button used for something else as I can't find reference to it in the manual with any substance.

From the Zeus2 operator manual:-

If the system includes a VHF radio supporting DSC (Digital Select Calling) calls over NMEA 2000, you can initiate a DSC call to other vessels from the Zeus2.
The call option is available in the AIS Vessel Details dialog, and in the Vessel status dialog activated from the Tools panel.
From the Call dialog you can change channel or cancel the call. The Call dialog is closed when the connection is established.

 

[Javelin]

and in the Vessel status dialog activated from the Tools panel.

Hmm cant remember seeing that - will look again tomorrow, thx.

 

[knuterikt]

I do think you must have a VHF from Navico (Simrad, B&G) for this to work.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I'm fairly certain there was a recent software update for their radios to facilitate this

 

[Javelin]

I updated the zeus a couple of weeks ago.
The radio is a Garmin 200i so that may be the reason I guess.

 

[knuterikt]

I updated the zeus a couple of weeks ago.
The radio is a Garmin 200i so that may be the reason I guess.

Found this, link http://marine-electronics-reviews.com/garmin-vhf-200.html

Additionally, when you connect this radio to a Garmin plotter you will be able to use the chartplotter to setup some calling functions. Also, if you were to initiate a DSC distress call designated as Man Overboard from the radio the chartplotter would also enter the MOB mode and if connected to a Garmin autopilot will prompt you to start a Williamson turn back to the man overboard.

 

[Javelin]

Spent a happy few hours pressing buttons and sailing round in large circles today.
Still can't get the call function to work so I'll give support a ring tomorrow.

One other strange issue is I realised I can't see the laylines.
I've never seen the laylines working and to be honest I wasn't that bothered but today I thought I'd go into options and turn them on.
Trouble is they are turned on under chart options. (always show laylines ticked)
Is there another button/stage that I've missed out somewhere?

 

[wizard]

Spent a happy few hours pressing buttons and sailing round in large circles today.
Still can't get the call function to work so I'll give support a ring tomorrow.

One other strange issue is I realised I can't see the laylines.
I've never seen the laylines working and to be honest I wasn't that bothered but today I thought I'd go into options and turn them on.
Trouble is they are turned on under chart options. (always show laylines ticked)
Is there another button/stage that I've missed out somewhere?

From the manual:-

Laylines
When navigating to a waypoint you can con gure laylines on the chart to aid navigation. These lines can be set from the vessel, waypoint or both. The laylines convey the vessels present laylines varying with wind, tide and tacking angle.
To configure the laylines go to the laylines dialog.

Layline Options:

Boat
Mark
Tidal Flow Correction Overlapped
True Wind Angle Polar
Actual Manual Limits

Layline from vessel. The length can be set to 1, 10 or 100 miles.
Layline from mark/waypoint. The length can be set at 1, 10 or 100 miles.
Tidal flow correction will calculate the tidal flow and o set the laylines accordingly.
When selected the laylines will extend beyond the tack/gybe intersection.
There are 3 sources available for true wind angle (TWA). You can choose between Polar, Actual or Manual.
Takes the target TWA from your polar table. (Polar table is available in Hercules Performance and Hercules Performance Motion only).
Takes the current value of true wind angle (TWA).
Manually input the upwind and downwind numbers into the dialogue boxes.
When selected will show a dotted line indicating the minimum and maximum tack/gybe time period either side of the layline. This can be set from 5 to 30 minutes.

As you can see there are a lot of parameters to set to enable what you want!
I will be on the boat tomorrow so can narrow this down for you.

 

[Javelin]

Yes I read all that and thought I'd selected all the right ones, certainly in the Layline Options.
Tried various combinations just in case but no luck.

I set it to manual and inputted sailing angle, target speeds etc. but couldn't see the dotted line they talked about.

My thought was if there was another tick box on one of the other menus that would effect it but couldn't see one or one of those one liners saying if you select this the laylines won't show.
Again couldn't see anything obvious.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Have you got all the inputs from the instrumentation reaching the plotter for the variables that would be needed (wind, heading etc...) Not a B&G person, but my Garmin won't produce lay lines without... also won't produce them if the plotter's not "navigating"

 

[vyv_cox]

We lost laylines on our Zeus2 last season. The reason was obscure but seemed to be a program error on the wind direction. I caused it when trying to do something else but don't know how. Sorry I did not put any detail in the log. As soon as I fixed the wind direction error the laylines re-appeared.

 

[Javelin]

wind speed /dir all seems fine as does everything else apart from the vhf link and the laylines.
Was too busy today so will have to call smg tomorrow