Garmin AIS600 setup software wanted!

vas

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morning all,

another couple of probably not very successful (but VERY cheap) ebay purchases and I now need to find the setup software for this AIS600 black box transceiver thing.
Don't know if it works OK, haven't got it connected yet, I have all the cables alright, but no config s/w
I understand I may have to send it back to Garmin to reprogram the MMSI (but I don't even know if there's one programmed in the first place) and tbh for starters I'll be happy running it in silent mode just picking AIS targets and not transmitting, but need the s/w to configure that it seems!

anyway, long shot, anyone got the s/w in a CD that's willing to zip it up and upload it to one of these filesharing things to pick it up, I'd be greatful.

I hope that's a legal thing to ask :eek:

Got a few more qs for that as it seems it needs a dedicated oldstyle gps mushroom (which I don't' have and need to get hold of one!) and I wonder if I can feed it with NMEA0183 data through the powercable :rolleyes:

anyway, I'll do some studying tonight and come back with more Qs

cheers

V.
 

jfm

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I have the s/w on laptop that is on boat. Only works on windows. I have no idea about file size but can check this weekend and possibly email it

I also have a surplus original Garmin gps antenna for it with the cable. Brand new unused. Shall I mail it? I was in Athens t'other week but no immediate plans to vist Greece. AFAIK if doesn't listen for GPS position on nmea0183 but wouldn't swear 100% on that. for sure it doesn't listen for position on nmea2000 even though it is on the backbone. So I think you need the mushroom antenna. Note that this mushroom is truly an antenna and not the more usual mushroom GPS engine that talks position onto the n2k backbone or on nmea0183

If I'm mailing a parcel can you list any other Garmin odds and ends (esp cables) that would be useful and I can rummage through my Garmin bits n pieces box this weekend. Boxes, actually!

We don't want you on silent mode; we want to track you on the forum!
 

vas

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I have the s/w on laptop that is on boat. Only works on windows. I have no idea about file size but can check this weekend and possibly email it

I also have a surplus original Garmin gps antenna for it with the cable. Brand new unused. Shall I mail it? I was in Athens t'other week but no immediate plans to vist Greece. AFAIK if doesn't listen for GPS position on nmea0183 but wouldn't swear 100% on that. for sure it doesn't listen for position on nmea2000 even though it is on the backbone. So I think you need the mushroom antenna. Note that this mushroom is truly an antenna and not the more usual mushroom GPS engine that talks position onto the n2k backbone or on nmea0183

If I'm mailing a parcel can you list any other Garmin odds and ends (esp cables) that would be useful and I can rummage through my Garmin bits n pieces box this weekend. Boxes, actually!

We don't want you on silent mode; we want to track you on the forum!

:D

the right person to answer!

thanks John,
first with the s/w, I wonder if you also have the install.exe on the laptop or only the installed stuff (which will make it much more difficult to extract, zip and post...) Best thing would be to have the install CD and copy the files over on a zipfile.
Regarding the antenna, I thought it was one of these simple antennas seen on the small gpsmap series ones with the coax cable. So, yes, I'd like that one for sure!
It's a bit confusing being on the bus and NOT taking GPS coords from the bus, nor the NMEA0183 on the other power cable. Probably due to the fact that they want them to be able to run standalone outputing NMEA0183 fe, dunno.

I do have an MMSI (I think at least I got one when I got my VHF licence from Athens), so not hiding and no problem being trackable :D
MITOS and MITOSE are taken already so may have to resort to MITOSV if I have to have unique names which I v.much doubt as MiToS is not registered anywhere other than the Greek registry.

BTW, my other ebay purchase was a .99USD Garmin VHF200 spares or repair without handset. Will try it on first and then I'll see if it's actually broken or not.

My list of cheap spare or repair stuff on MiToS includes a brand new HD24 digital radar with cracked cover (150quid) and a 300quid 4008 that needed cleaning the one connector from the buttons membrane to the main board...
Let's hope I've success on these items too :D

I'll PM you with a shopping list (probably half a dozen short drop cables and a matching # of Tees as I've run out of all of them and still got things to hook up to my bus)

cheers

V.
 

jfm

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OK, PM me yr mailing address also

you sure its not a VHF 300? I have loads of spare handsets brand new, about 3. The boat was delivered with grey and I had them all changed to black a month later. Happy to send. They're the ones that look like 1995 mobile phones with curly wire

I don't get why ais600 needs its own GPS antenna instead of using the bus. I think Garmin have a reason but cant remember

I'll see about the software.

OK send list. I have plenty of Tees. For drop cables it depends on length but I have a few of them. Also have nmea0183 cables
 

Robin

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OK, PM me yr mailing address also

you sure its not a VHF 300? I have loads of spare handsets brand new, about 3. The boat was delivered with grey and I had them all changed to black a month later. Happy to send. They're the ones that look like 1995 mobile phones with curly wire

I don't get why ais600 needs its own GPS antenna instead of using the bus. I think Garmin have a reason but cant remember

I'll see about the software.

OK send list. I have plenty of Tees. For drop cables it depends on length but I have a few of them. Also have nmea0183 cables

I do not know the reason either but we have an AIS600 and in a full NMEA2000 network including Garmin GPS yet it still has to have a dedicated GPS although I'm advised by our installer that if the normal and identical network Garmin GPS fails the AIS600 one will take over to give it's data to the plotter etc, but that sort of one way working only, if correct, makes me doubt my sanity
 

vas

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OK, PM me yr mailing address also

you sure its not a VHF 300? I have loads of spare handsets brand new, about 3. The boat was delivered with grey and I had them all changed to black a month later. Happy to send. They're the ones that look like 1995 mobile phones with curly wire

I don't get why ais600 needs its own GPS antenna instead of using the bus. I think Garmin have a reason but cant remember

I'll see about the software.

OK send list. I have plenty of Tees. For drop cables it depends on length but I have a few of them. Also have nmea0183 cables
cheers John,

will send a list. Just checked and apparently the GHS 10i handsets you're talking about are also compatible with VHF200 (as well as 300), so wouldn't mind one to test and hopefully get it running!

I have two or three Garmin installer CDs, works up to and including windows 10, PM me if you want one.

David, would it be too much to ask to copy the cd contents and upload them to one of these file transfer sites (WeTransfer, et al) and avoid shipping things back and forth?
If not, let me know what's more suitable, either post direct to Greece or sent to JFM in the UK to include it in a larger package

I do not know the reason either but we have an AIS600 and in a full NMEA2000 network including Garmin GPS yet it still has to have a dedicated GPS although I'm advised by our installer that if the normal and identical network Garmin GPS fails the AIS600 one will take over to give it's data to the plotter etc, but that sort of one way working only, if correct, makes me doubt my sanity

Robin, read the v.spartan manual (8pages!) and didn't spot any mention on sending data to the N2K bus if the native mushroom is dead.
Mind, mushrooms are identical outside, but doubt it's inside, the one is N2K the other is something else.
It did mention sending NMEA0183 down the wire to plotters and stuff, so probably will send the right sentences that way and maybe a good idea as a backup plan.

cheers

V.
 
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David2452

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I would be able to upload to my onedrive and share but I suspect there may be some protection so would be happy to mail a disk to UK for including in the larger shipment,
 

Robin

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Roin, read the v.spartan manual (8pages!) and didn't spot any mention on sending data to the N2K bus if the native mushroom is dead.
Mind, mushrooms are identical outside, but doubt it's inside, the one is N2K the other is something else.
It did mention sending NMEA0183 down the wire to plotters and stuff, so probably will send the right sentences that way and maybe a good idea as a backup plan.[/QUOTE WE do have NMEA 0183 available from one of the GPS s as that is fed to the autopilot for track data and repeater display of wind speed, depth etc. IIRC the ( Standard Horizon0 DSC VHF also gets its data via NMEA0183 not N2K, One day we will all speak the same language!
 

vas

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I would be able to upload to my onedrive and share but I suspect there may be some protection so would be happy to mail a disk to UK for including in the larger shipment,

David, I very much doubt they have it locked on the CD (most of new laptops dont even have a CDROM drive anyway...)
If it's not too much, try upping it to your onedrive please.

cheers

V.
 

vas

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WE do have NMEA 0183 available from one of the GPS s as that is fed to the autopilot for track data and repeater display of wind speed, depth etc. IIRC the ( Standard Horizon0 DSC VHF also gets its data via NMEA0183 not N2K, One day we will all speak the same language!

yeah right...

where have standards manage to save the day and produce uniformity and compatibility?

Some of the custom sentences available on NMEA0183 is not even available in N2K.
I've been playing with arduino and NMEAs in both guises and will still have to support the 0183 for my anchor chain meter...

cheers

V.
 

JSYmartini

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I do not know the reason either but we have an AIS600 and in a full NMEA2000 network including Garmin GPS yet it still has to have a dedicated GPS although I'm advised by our installer that if the normal and identical network Garmin GPS fails the AIS600 one will take over to give it's data to the plotter etc, but that sort of one way working only, if correct, makes me doubt my sanity

I think it comes from the IMO, they wanted to see all ships' AIS have their own dedicated GPS receiver for safety reasons.
It would have been more sensible to have made it a requirement for class A only, they obviously weren't thinking about us little people.
 

vas

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update


first of all thanks to David and Mike who helped by sending the files.
David, the reason it never came is probably due to the FTDI drivers (CMD20600.exe) being reported as malware (stupidly...)
Anyway, Mike sent them over, needless to say if anyone wants the Garmin config, it's just 1.4MB file, just shout.

Now, the FTDI drivers (are the virtual driver that creates the link from the PC to the AIS blackbox) are regularly updated from the mother company. No need to get the 2009 drivers that come with Garmin's setup as it was 2014 that they got certification for Win10, so if you're running that OS, you need to go to the source directly: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm

Tried with both my Dell Win10 x64 laptop (USB3) and (just in case) an ancient win7 asus eee-pc (USB2 at best...), got the latest drivers 2.12.16 (compared to 2.06.00 on the CD) and now when I plug the AIS black box to either laptop, on devices and printers I do get an FT232R USB UART.
Double clicking on it I get a:
USB Serial Converter with the 3.20.16 drivers and
USB Serial Port (COM4) with system dated drivers

From past experience with all sorts of FTDI devices, I consider that as being OK.

As you can imagine by now, there's a problem else I wouldn't bother writing all this up :rolleyes:

So, when I fire up the AIS600 Config.exe, it comes up with it's screen, all fine, but when I select com port and hit connect, it simply fails with the following error:

Connection failed.
Connect AIS600 to USB port, turn AIS600 on and
restart this program.
Or select the right COM port manually

Needless to say I've done it in all different combinations a few times and haven't had much luck.

I've come across a site where someone was interpreting serial messages off the AIS black box and was trying to debug a similar issue, haven't got time right now, but I'll have a go in the evening

as always, any ideas welcomed!

cheers

V.

PS. David, no need to try sending both files, maybe try sending only the AIS600 Config.exe in case it's more recent than the 3.1ver that Mike sent
 

jfm

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On the hardware side of things, as opposed to software, I am boarding NCE-LGW with box of garmin swag, none of which got confiscated by airport security despite being grey boxes with lots of wires:). I'll mail it to volos tmrw.
 

vas

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could be, but I'm not happy installing some other company's s/w that will check compatibility and update the various drivers on my PC just to (possibly) get an updated garmin driver... Won't let you download the AIS600 driver as such, it will be done only through their s/w, so I'll skip!

On the hardware side of things, as opposed to software, I am boarding NCE-LGW with box of garmin swag, none of which got confiscated by airport security despite being grey boxes with lots of wires:). I'll mail it to volos tmrw.

good news and many thanks in advance John!


Tried also the older driver that David kindly sent, same result, so looks like something's wrong with the box. Didn't have time to check over the w/e, will report when I do

cheers

V.
 

vas

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JFM box of goodies arrived yesterday (thanks John!)

tried the supplied VHS10 handset with the VHF200 that I got of ebay (admittedly spares or repair and just for 1USD + shipping...)
Garmin works fine, all menus are nice and smooth, change channels, config all sorts of things, squelch, vol. speaker, all work. GPSMAP and GMIs see it fine, and it also picks GPS co-ords.
so menuwise and as a device it seems to work just fine.
HOWEVER, it will transmit (after I replaced the tiny crocodile clips I used initially, with some beefy cable!) but wont receive ANYTHING!
So it's half-useful :rolleyes:
Had a look on the internet and seems to be a regular failure.
Consensus is that since it transmits antenna is fine, not receiving (which is less demanding on the antenna) means that something is fried in the PCB inside.
Out of curiosity I took it apart and we have 3 PCBs
The first one is on the front with the LCD, controls, sockets, buttons you name it. Since all these work fine, I assume that it's OK
Then on the body we have a PCB named: VHF100_200 MAIN PCB REV.3 UN99800143
and on the other side another: VHF200 HAILER PCB REV.2 UN99800162

Considering you can find a dozen such non-receive errors on both VHF100 and VHF200 on a simple google search, I'd tend to bet it's the first of the two PCBs to blame.
Examination with a magnifying lens didn't show anything obvious. Will give it to an electronics friend and see what he says. Of course I could search for a broken screen VHF200 or 100 and swap boards ;)

As far as the thread title is concerned, no luck with the AIS600, all other devices on the N2K network see it, doesn't send any AIS info on the bus. Will try investigate the messages it sends but it seems that it also needs to be sent for repair.
Neither is vital as I do have a NASA AIS receiver and a couple of VHFs so if and when they are working, they'll be added to the system.
Of course if someone has a broken (not the same way though!) VHF100 or 200 I wouldn't mind it :D

cheers

V.
 

vas

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As far as the thread title is concerned, no luck with the AIS600, all other devices on the N2K network see it, doesn't send any AIS info on the bus. Will try investigate the messages it sends but it seems that it also needs to be sent for repair.
Neither is vital as I do have a NASA AIS receiver and a couple of VHFs so if and when they are working, they'll be added to the system.
Of course if someone has a broken (not the same way though!) VHF100 or 200 I wouldn't mind it :D

quoting myself and a week later got some interesting news!

right, checked the AIS600 transceiver firmware, and noticed it was a version out. Following recommendation by Garmin tech to update all kit to latest firmware, I had a go at home updating firmware yesterday on both the 751 and the AIS600. First time didn't seem to do much (my mobile rang while updating and wasn't paying attention), rebooted and reported same firmware and same leds (orange warning and red error)
So tried once more and surprisingly it updated the s/w and furthermore on reboot changed the leds to the orange warning, green OK and orange RX only (as I didn't want to broadcast under another name and MMSI)
Got my notebook with the garmin s/w and it connected via USB (didn't respond on previous attempts)!
Not only that, I managed to change the name and id (unfortunately as well documented NOT the MMSI) and even at home 300m from the nearest AIS target and without an antenna it picked up one passenger liner and showed it on the 751!

Well impressed, checked it in the morning onboard on the GPSMAP4008 and indeed it works fine, reports the 7 AIS targets in port (that's all we have in Volos Port folks!) compared it to marinetraffic on the notebook and all's fine.
I even momentarily disconnected the wires for silent mode and the warning led went off and the TX led started flashing (so connected them again...)

So, 50% of my new s/h garmin kit is working after just a firmware update, well worth noting when something goes south on your kit...

Now need to get a price and sent it to the Greek dealer for clearing out the MMSI (although I think they'll just sent them over to UK or DE in which case I'm better off sending it myself )

The other 50% (the VHF200 that is) is on the bench and I'm waiting for an update.

cheers

V.
 
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