NASA AIS use (and a problem?)

[Sans Bateau]

Just returned from a X channel excursion, allowing me a first chance to use my NASA AIS. First I should say, it did come in useful! Approaching Barfleur I had a large vessel (big!) to Stbd about 2 miles away, I called the vessel on the VHF and discussed the closing situation, the captain confirmed he would clear us but also he would be prepared to alter course, we cleared with 1/2 mile spare.

However, Why on a couple of other occasions, did the vessel I was watching totally disappear from the screen? It was as though they had stopped transmitting, all other vessels remained visible. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

Are you talking about the engine running into a PC? If so, what package? Or is it the standalone unit (I am trying to avoid using the term Radar like NASA do)

I have my engine running into Maptech charts. There is an optional setting which deletes the vessell after say 5 minutes of not receiving an updated signal. If some are on the margin of your range (mine is less than 10 miles due to low antenna position), they come and go on the display.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

Nick, I was avoiding using the term radar as well, so lets call it the one with its own display. I'll check your idea in your last para, with an Aeriel on the pushpit I agree about 10 mile. The ships in question though were much closer

 

[hubert]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

On the nasa ais Radar (there I have said it!) you can restrict the range using the threshold setting. Ensure it is set to the left of the screen or you will lose targets at greater range.

 

[wiggy]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?) NOT RADAR

Sory was the word you were trying to avoid RADAR? If so why not just call it NASA AIS R>A>D>A>R or something similar like R.A.D.A.R. or you could avoid saying RADAR by saying R*DAR or something similar. As long as you dont mention RADAR when discussing the NASA AIS RADAR /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MikeJones]

The NASA units are single channel I believe, therefore flopping between Channel A & Channel B.
If the sequence gets a bit confused it can take ten minutes plus for the ship to reappear as I have proved in Southampton when a massive cruise ship (Aurora) did not exist but the tanker refuelling her was visible all the time.

 

[fireball]

Yup - the NASA units are single channel ...

 

[deep denial]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

this is not just a problem with the stand alone unit - I have the same problems at times with my ais engine which routes via a chartplotter. In fact this unit is an exchange, as the first one I bought was much worse. Is there a quality control issue with NASA ais?

 

[fireball]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

There are certainly quite a number of ppl having "issues" with the NASA AIS kit ....

Mine has been "repaired" with new insides

 

[Paul_G]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

Mine also is away being repaired after failing completely. When I rang to see how to return it I was told the units were "bulletproof". Comments on the number of faulty units would appear to disagree with that!

Paul;

 

[doug748]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

Rang NASA about mine (see previous post) this week and guess what? The chap said "never have any problems with these units...."

 

[fireball]

Re: NASA AIS use (and a probelem?)

Well - the problems I've heard about are with the engines - not the displays.

The internals of my unit were replaced - no charge made ....