FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about our products
Do you have a question about one of our products?
Take a look at our FAQ, you will often find the right answer here.

FAQ: General

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FAQ: General >>>

This might be due to the VHF antenna you are using. However, there is a solution for it. Please, connect the antenna cable of the car radio „without ground“ to the easySPLIT, i.e. only the inner conductor/pin is to be used. Do not connect the outer conductor/cable which is connected to the ground of the chinch plug or to the ground of the car radio!The physical effect put in a nutshell: An antenna is always a dipole. Normally the inner conductor of a coaxial cable is connected to the upper dipole and the outer conductor is connected the lower dipole of the antenna. However, the customary antennas for pleasure crafts do not have a lower dipole. This lower dipole is simulated by an adapted network (i.e. simply a high-frequency transformer). The adapted network is adjusted to a frequency range of approx. 150 Mhz to 163 Mhz. Thus, the outer conductor of the antenna cable has the important function to adjust the antenna to the frequency range of 150-162 Mhz.

So, if you do not use the outer conductor, colloquially called “ground”, for the car radio plug, you simply have a „cable antenna“ for the car radio which should work fine for the VHF radio frequency range.

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Please, turn it on.Furthermore, a too high voltage drop due to a small cable diameter might be the reason. This voltage drop (Ua) can be calculated as follows:Ua = (lxpxI)/A

l = length of the wire (e.g. 10 m)

p = specific resistance (spoken: rho; copper = 0.0178 ohm x mm²/m)

I = current (e.g. 1A (ampere))

A= cross-section of the cable (e.g. 0.14 mm²)

Example calculation:

If you used a fairly thin cable (0.14 mm² cross-section) for the extension, the total cable length amounts to 10 m, the voltage drop would be about 1.3V. Due to this drop it may be possible that the internal voltage regulator will no longer be supplied with sufficient voltage and thus does not work properly. Another cause might be a simple short circuit (direct connection from + to -).

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The basic question is, whether the Powerbook has a serial COM interface (RS 232).
Some laptops do not have it. You can help yourself with a USB-to-COM adapter (which can be bought at e.g. Conrad, Media Markt, Saturn etc.).

The Apple or PC software (e.g. a terminal program) uses this COM interface and shows the encoded telegrams (ship reporting etc.), which have been received by the easyAIS. As the easyAIS works according to the NMEA0183 standard, the information is received as ASCII-telegram at 38400 baud (start and stop bit, no parity). Every common terminal program – no matter on which PC or Apple – can display these characters. In order to decode the AIS information you need a special software (e.g. a card plotter program with AIS functionality).

You can find a PC software on www.yacht-ais.de. Unfortunately, we cannot say whether it works with Apple or not.

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FAQ: General >>>

On November 6, 2006 we changed some program parts in the firmware, since that time all NMEA data is passed through.

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We recommend a minimum distance of 80 cm. (e.g. Simrad recommends 100 cm).Please note: Regardless of the distance of the VHF antennas to one another, the antennas should be mounted as high as possible. The higher you mount the VHF antenna, the better is the transmission.

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FAQ: General >>>

The frequency range of the VHF radio output is limited to 108 MHz, i.e. higher frequencies cannot pass this output. For this reason, the reception of DVB-T is not yet possible.

Information: The reception of wave bands outside the VHF range is not possible with most frequently installed VHF antennas, i.e. in the best case the lower range of the VHF-DVB-T-band may be received. The reception of higher VHF wave bands requires a change to a multi-band antenna. Due to the commonly used coaxial cables (RG58/RG213) and coaxial plug-in systems (PL259/SO239) the transmission and reflection losses in the plug and socket connectors increase at higher frequencies to such extent, that adequate reception of higher frequencies would only be possible with a loss of quality. For this purpose it would be necessary to replace the used plugs and sockets by VHF-suitable versions.

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If you want to operate a DSC radio unit or the AIS transponder easyTRX on a ship, you need a license for this radio unit.You can obtain it from the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency). The Federal Network Agency of your radio station will send you a MMSI number, which should then be programmed into the easyTRX. If you already have a MMSI and would like to operate an additional easyTRX, you need to send a notification of change to the Federal Network Agency.

Then, please program your existing MMSI into the easyTRX. The following link provides detailed information:

Bundesnetzagentur Aussenstelle Hamburg Sachsenstr. 12 und 14 20097 Hamburg Tel.: 0049 40 23655-0 Fax: 0049 40 23655-182 email: [email protected]   http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de

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FAQ: General >>>

When the red light flashes, the easyAIS is receiving messages. If there is no object in the proximity, the light is not flashing and nothing will be displayed on the plotter screen.

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Unfortunately, as far as we know, no such unit is available on the market. Currently, only our active splitter for AIS transceivers is available. In order to realize your request, we suggest following:

  • AIS transceiver – easyTRX
  • AIS Class B active splitter – easySPLIT OCB
  • We recommend the “Infobox WIB3″ as weather fax

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FAQ: General >>>

Although you just want to transmit, it is necessary to have both antennas. The unit must receive the exact position, in order to transmit your position. So you need a receiver to get your position and a transmitter to send your position.

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FAQ: General >>>

The plotters Lowrance HDS 5 and HDS 7 feature a differential type input for connecting external NMEA devices and therefore they require a bipolar signal at these points. Most commercially available AIS devices, transceivers and receivers are equipped with standard unipolar outputs. Our devices are built according to this standard.

The easiest way to solve this problem is to connect a capacitor  in-line with the NMEA positive signal between the NMEA output of the AIS device and the NMEA input of the chart plotter. Thus a 100% function is ensured.

Please use the inputs and outputs at 38400 baud, to avoid traffic congestion and potential loss of data at high AIS traffic volumes.

Please, note the following requirements for the capacitor:

  • Value: 100nF
  • Ceramic or plastic, does not matter
  • Voltage:> 16V DC

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By each AIS channel there are 2250 AIS position updates possible.
That means that on both frequencies (161.975 & 162.025MHz) 4500 messages can be sent.

An AIS position report (Msg. 1/18) is send by a VDM-Message. This message has a length of 50 Bytes.
One Byte contains 10 Bits (8-Vit plus one start and stop bit)

So one VDM = (50Bytes *10) = 500 Bit

If there would be a channel load of 100 percent, the calculation would be as followed:

4500 (max. VDM messages per minute / 60 = 75 (VDM/second) Therefore 75 AIS position messages could be received per second.

From the beginning we know that one VDM has 500 Bit

75 * 500Bit = 37500 Bit

So on a channel load of 100 percent there will be 37500 Bit / s.
The baud rate of 38400 is perfect then.

But what does that mean for a chart plotter which is only able
to handle a 4800 Baud rate (Bit/s)?

4800 Bit / 500 = 9,6

With this baud rate you only can receive 9,6 VDM messages and this is already a channel load of 12,8 %!

But now we come to the next problem because an AIS transceiver is not only transmitting VDM messages which it receives to the chart plotter. There are also GPS messages and some prop. strings (LED status, info about voltage, diagnose sentences, etc.)

Let´s have a look on VDM plus GPS sentences and take three of them which are standard:

  • GPRMC: (RMC = recommended minimum sentence)
  • GPVTG: Info about SOG and COG
  • GPGGA: one of the main sentences, contains time, position including height and signal strength)

All of these three sentences will be transmitted every second and they have a length of ~2000 Bit.

Lets subtract the 2000 Bit / s from 4800 Bit/s and we have only 2800 available Bit/s.

2800 Bit / 500 = 5,6; now there are only 5,6 VDM / s!

And this is only 7,5% channel load which you will have very fast in some areas.
For example the highest meassured channel load from a pleasure boat was in
Rotterdam, Singapore, Shanghai with 40-50 percent!
In a near distance to waterways you can have 20-30 % very fast!

Overview:

Baudrate GPS [ON/OFF] Max. VDM/s Max. channel load[%]
4800 GPRMC,
GPVTG,
GPGGA
5,6 7,5
4800 Off 9,6 12,8
38400 GPRMC,
GPVTG,
GPGGA
72,8 97,1
38400 Off 75 100

 

Result:
If you are crossing and sailing in areas with waterways we really recommend using always the high baud rate of 38400 to not lost AIS position updates!
If you just drive within Non-High-Traffic zones 4800 Baud is ok when you switch off GPS sentences. For example the easyTRX2S can be set to „None“.

baudrate

Example: easyTRX2-S settings within the Programming-Tool.

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Reasons can be various.

Amongst other things, the reason could be that you are out of range of the receiving station of this web-services.

Also it could take some time to see all your data there, it is not 100 percent live!

 

To check if the other vessels receive your position, just ask them by your VHF radio.

This is the easiest and most effective way.

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  1. Connect to your easyTRX2S WiFi network (network name SSID and Password are found at the bottom of your unit).
  2. Open your AIS Software
  3. Go to the Software settings page
  4. Select somewhere AIS data and Data source
  5. Source:
    • Standard: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.16.254 Port 8080
    • Older WiFi-Units: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.10.1 Port: 5101

If you software does NOT support data by TCP-IP connection, you need to generate a virtual COM-Port.
Here we recommend to use the tool from www.eterlogic.com, here TCP-Data are virtually send to a COM-Port.
This new COM-Port is the source in your AIS Software for AIS data.

When you need further assistance you can send us an email to [email protected]

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

With the integrated multiplexer in our easyAIS it is possible to connect all external NMEA data sources with 4800 baud and to up convert these to 38400 Baud. With regards to the data source type there is no restriction.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

Yes, all the NMEA and GPS input data with 4800 Baud are passed through and upconverted to 38400 Baud. (Together with the AIS Data)

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

If the red led is flapping, the EasyAIS is receiving telegrams. The range of AIS could be up to 20 – 25nm under good conditions. If no target is nearby, you will see nothing flickering and nothing on your plotter screen.

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1) Passing through of further NMEA data: The data is passed through only in one way that means pc data do not go back through easyAIS into the GPS.2) Reduction of the baudrate: it is generally o.k. Many of our customers are using the lower baudrate of 4800 because of different facts. To do that we have had a jumper on the board in the first generation of easyAIS products. Now we do it by a special start up procedure which is described in the manual of the easyAIS 2nd generation. But it takes a little bit longer with 4800 baud until you have all data on your pc.

The typical result of the lower baudrate: For example if you have 160 targets (at the moment we know the Rotterdam harbour is the only one which has such a high number of targets) With 4800 Baud it takes about 40 seconds until you get all the dynamic data onto your display. If it is no problem for you to wait to receive the objects onto your display, you can use one port with 4,8 kB. But if you would like to have the objects in real-time you should prefer to use maybe a 2nd port where you can get the easyAIS NMEA data by 38400 Baud.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

Both versions (A and B) of transmitters work on the same frequency and – what is more important – they use the same transmission protocol. The difference is the content of the telegrams – not how these telegrams are transmitted! Therefore: Our easyAIS is of course able to receive Class A and Class B data. No problem for that.

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In the past we hear from several persons again and again, that the easyAIS cannot receive Class B telegrams. The only short and clear answer we can give is: It`s wrong.Please look again onto our homepage at the point: “AIS Capability”and read the difference between Class A and Class B transmitter. The telegrams and the frequencies are identical. If you receive a class A transmitter telegram, you also receive a class B transmitter telegramm. Do not be unsettled by such statements.

Summary: Of course, you can receive telegrams of a class B transmitter by an “easyAIS”!

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Our integrated multiplexer is converting NMEA 1083 signals from 4800 Baud to 38400 Baud, not depending whether it is a GPS or another signal. If you pass your fast heading signal through to our easyAIS into your C80, everything will work smoothly. (It works for one unit from which the signals are passed through to the NMEA input of the C80.)Please don’t forget to configure the NMEA input at your plotter to 38400 Baud. You do not need a multiplexer at all.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

Yes, the latetest generation of the Navman Plotters are easyAIS compatible.

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With reference to the cable we did following:The exsiting cable is already 5m long. We tested the VHF/GPS combination antenna with an additional 10 m long cable. At the end the total cable length was 15 m. The additional cable was a simple RG58 cable. It had a male TNC plug and a female TNC plug as extension plugs between the existing cable and the TRX. The plugs were crimped to the cable. This worked very well. All the satellites in our hemisphere were visible.

Therefore we can guarantee a 100% working for a cable length of 15m with RG 58. But as you know as better the cable is, as better the reception and transmission will work.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

Unfortunately, your suggested way does not work. It is not possible to connect with an USB plug.
The reason for that: serial and USB use different levels for data transmission. Also Windows needs a driver for every USB connector.

The solution for you will be this: You solder a sub D-9 connector onto the cable. The connector goes into a serial<->USB adapter. And you attach this adapter into the pc. We can deliver a SUP D 9 pole connector and also an adapter.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>The easyAIS can be connected with a pc (this is also in the manual on page 12).

Connection of the easyAIS to the pc: Please connect the white-orange cable with the pin 2 of the SUB D 9-pole connector (female) and the orange cable with the PIN 5 of the SUB D 9-pole connector. It is very urgent, that you take the right PINS. They are hardly readable at the plug, but they are signed. After that, please install the USB serial adapter on the pc. Then you can connect the SUB D 9 connector with the adapter.

Please note the interface must be configured correctly: 38400 Baud, 8/N/1.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

Yes it works very fine. We are located near by the rhein-main-donau-canal, 9km distance and we do daily continuous receive 8-15 AIS objectives in the canal. The barger do not uses an other “AIS” as the navy. The method is standardized.

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

It is possible with a special telegram.

The Message 22 by the class B AIS can stop temporally the transmitting a base station of a coast radio station. (It also can switch the transmitting telegram from all 30s to f.e. every 60min or even longer, if needed). The class A transceiver on the ships can not do that. Class A sender can not manipulate a class B sender. But there are difference ECDIS-electronic chart display information systems (norm EN61174) on the commercial shipments which does join with the class A AIS by it can inhibit the class b sender via filter function on the ECDIS display

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FAQ: easyAIS 2nd. Gen. >>>

Both versions of transmitters (A or B) are working with the same frequency and what is more important, they have the same transmission-protocols. The difference is the content of the telegrams, not the way the telegrams are transmitted.

Therefore our easyAIS is certainly able to receive class A and class B data. So this is not a problem.

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS >>>

Yes, only connect your easyAIS-IS to the USB-Port of PC/Laptop. It will emulates a virtual COM-Port. So you can still use your AIS-Software.

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS >>>

Take clear if you are in an area with enough AIS-Signals. Test if your antenna-connectors are not bad.

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS >>>

Überprüfen Sie, ob Sie das USB-Kabel bzw. Power/Daten-Kabel richtig am PC/Plotter angebracht haben. Dies können Sie mit dem Standard Windowsprogramm “Hyperterminal” testen. Dieses finden Sie unter Start/Programme/Zubehör/Kommunikation/Hyperterminal Wählen Sie dort den richtigen Port aus an dem Sie den easyAIS-IS angeschlossen haben. Außerdem müssen folgende Einstellungen vornehmen: Bits pro Sekunde: 38400; Datenbits: 8; Parität: keine; Stoppbits: 1; Flusssteuerung: Hardware; bestätigen Sie mit okay. Sie sollten im Fenster nun NMEA-Daten sehen wie folgt: !AIVDM,1,1,,A,13u?etPv2;0n:dDPwUM1U1Cb069D,0*24 Sie haben alles richtig gemacht.

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS >>>

Yes, the easyAIS-IS has an integrated USB-Chip. So you can connect your PC with easyAIS-IS by using the USB-Cable enclosed in package. You also can use the RS232 Interface by using SUB D 9 Female. Only connect the white cable with Pin 2, the green one on Pin 5. You can watch the NMEA-Data on window by using Hyperterminal.

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS >>>

No, installation can be quite arbitrary. Fins operate more than adequate in any position.

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FAQ: easyAIS-IS >>>

Yes, that is no problem. But it´s necessary that your chartplotter can use the baudrate of 38400.
You cannot change this as it was possible on easyAIS 2.Gen.

So if you have a chartplotter which only work´s with 4800baud you should take the easyAIS 2.Gen or work with your PC by means of the USB-cable.

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FAQ: easyDVBT

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FAQ: easyDVBT >>>

For receiving DVBT on board you need the following hardware: your already available VHF-antenna, an „easyDVBT“ – a DVBT receiver (commercial) and a TV. Later you can complete the easyDVBT with an easySPLIT and easyAIS.

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In order to operate your DVB-T receiver with the easyDVBT mostly perfect at your VHF-antenna, please attend the following:

  1. Because of the higher frequented DVBT-channels (500 bis 860 MHz) have in the coax-cable a higher decay compared with the navy-radio-signal, it can be necessary to use a high quality, low-loss coax cable at higher cable lengths. Types of good coax cables are e.g. RG 213/U, AIRCELL 7, ECOFLEX 10. 2..
  2. Also a preferably uninterrupted transmission of the receiving signals from the antenna to the easyDVBT is only possible when you use the installed coaxialcable with together fitting coax plugs and jacks (.e.g coaxial deck-disconnection point)..
  3. In the easyDVBT the TV-Receiver-Signals will be separated (filtered), heightened and routed to the TV-receiver. This will be only successful, when an adequate high signal level is at the easyDVBT input. That means that the decay of the signals from the mast-top to the input of the easyDVBT has to kept small.

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FAQ: easyDVBT >>>

This effect is not wrong, it is just the logic consequence of the unit.

Reason for that is the following. Imagine, that a VHF would “over the easyDVBT” directly transmit with 20W. The TV or the receiver would immediately be broken. Therefore the easyDVBT unit needs to disconnect all other connected units, (except the VHF Radio) in the moment when the VHF Radio is transmitting.

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Let us explain what influences good reception.

  1. How does the unit work: Normally a VHF antenna do not receive well the UHF frequencies of the television transmitters. But there is still a reception signal, even with the regular VHF antenna. What the easyDVBT does is, that it amplifies the UHF television signal so that the digital receiver can work with the signals. But to do so, it is necessary to get an “even small” UHF signal to the unit, to amplify it there.
  2. UHF attenuation of cables. The regular used VHF cables are of the type RG58. These cables do have a normal attenuation at the VHF frequencies of app. 140-160Mhz. But at the UHF frequencies for TV, up to 900 MHz the attenuation of these regular cables is very high, which means very poor signal transmission of these frequencies. Just to give you an idea: RG58 at 144MHz for 10 m cable: attenuation app. -1.9 dB RG58 at 900MHz for 10 m cable: attenuation app. -6,5 dB
  3. Poor transmission power of TV stations In some areas the coverage and the transmission power is not very good. This means that almost no signal is received.

Summary: To recveive a good TV signal out of the easyDVBT you need a good cabling, e.g. RG213 or Aircell 7 or Ecoflex 15 and good cable connections from the cable to the unit. Also the area where you are sailing is important, that there is enough “signal strength” to reveive TV signals.

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The unit itself probably works well, but there are 3 different outside influences which could spoil the results from your easyDVBT:A) Cable quality and length The DVBT frequencies are received by a regular VHF antenna, but not in a sufficient quality to watch TV. What our unit is doing is to amplify the signal strength so that the digital receiver box can interpret the signals. But amplification only works, if there is a base level of signals at our easyDVBT. If the cable which is used or the transitions between the cable and the inside of the cabin is no good quality, we do not get any “amplifiable level of signal” into the easyDVBT. Proposal for a solution: Use of a good quality cable e.g. RG 213 or ecoflex 10. Attenuation of RG213 or Ecoflex 10 at 1000 MHz is around -2dB/10m which is an acceptable value. RG58 is very bad for TV frequencies: Attenuation of RG58 at 1000 MHz is -6,4dB/10m which is an enormous attenuation. Another important factor of the quality is the connector: The TV high frequencies lose signal strength if the transition into the cockpit is soldered too easy and not “by plugs and sockets”. You easy loose -3 to -4 dB if only soldered not in a very exact coaxial way.

B) Self oscillating of the amplifier In a very seldom, but possible case, the amplifier starts self oscillating in consequence of a critical impedance of the existing cable and the VHF antenna, which is very bad. To find a remedy, you can extend the cable by 1-2 meters. If this does not help, please ask us for a little electronic system which eliminates the oscillating, material No. B041.

C) Polarization of the TV transmitter from the TV stations VHF antennas are made to receive vertical polarized HF waves very good. This transmission of DVBT is the norm, for that reason everything should work fine. But we found out that some TV transmitters in the Baltic Sea stilldo work with horizontal polarization (as in the former years) and then the polarization might course technical difficulties. If you want to receive per horizontal polarized TV transmitter, please notice our self-developed “horizontal wave catcher” unit for the regular bar antenna (except of fibre glass antenna).

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FAQ: easyDVBT >>>

Yes, the connection FM <=> antenna is always active even when the device is switched off as this is a basic security feature. This means the VHF radio installation can be used even when the easyDVB-T is switched off.

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Horizontal radiations are bad received by the FM antennas, since the antennas are vertically aligned.
When you are often in areas where you receive horizontal signals, you will need a horizontal receiver on your UKW antenna. This begins by 3 horizontally mounted rods and receive horizontal field lines. It is simply put over your existing VHF antenna. However, it only works with Steel rods VHF antennas and not with plastic hard antennas.

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The easyDVB-T is amplified the frequencies of 180 – 850 MHz.
DVB-T2 is using the frequencies of 470-690 MHz.
Source: http://www.heise.de/netze/meldung/Frequenzneuordnung-Bundeskabinett-beerdigt-DVB-T-2546116.html

So you can answer this question with yes.
Your easyDVB-T is able to amplify the latest DVB-T2 signal.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

The easyRESCUE is based on the AIS-system. AIS will use the channels 87 and 88. These channels are blocked in the normal FM radio, as there are data channels. It broadcasts on the frequency 161,975 Mhz and 162,025 Mhz.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

With an annual test, the batteries last 5 years and within this period, we ensure 96 hours air time from initiation of the easyRESCUE.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

With appropriate conditions, the signal can be widely seen 5-7 miles. This value obviously depends strongly on the external conditions. You can look also at following picture:
Range testing results

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

The easyRESCUE is fully amphibious. Like an iceberg, the transmitter and signal part out of the water tower, while the rest is under the water surface.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

1) The easyRESCUE has a 2-stage trigger. First, a slide must be pushed through a breaking point. Then the activation by pressing the ON button.

2) By simultaneously pressing the buttons ON and TEST for 3 seconds.

3) No, there is no automatical trigger. The easyRESCUE has to be lead in personally.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

All plotters or pc’s which are equipped with an AIS-receiver will get the message from the easyRESCUE.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

Currently, an activated easyRESCUE appears as a ship icon with a reference AIS SART active.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

Each plotter, which can receive and display AIS data, can also receive and display data from the easyRESCUE.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

No, the unit is factory shipped with a manufacturer’s Unit-ID.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

Yes, the unit must be notified, but not be allowed.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

to make the functionality of the easyRESCUE even safer and more effective.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

Not the device itself is safer, but dealing in the emergency order. By specifying this data, you allow first responders such as official DGzRS act effectively and quickly in an emergency can. For example: Go overboard and turn on the easyRESCUE. Now, any vessel in the area, which is equipped with AIS, see your “live position” and take part in the rescue. Deposited by the radio identification of your vessel in the database is now as follows possible scenario: A ship in the vicinity receive your activated easyRESCUE. By radio now, this special ID to the DGzRS or the Coast Guard continue to be given. With this ID, and only thus, get the “official agencies” insight into the database and can anfunken your “mother ship” inform and. If you are in your accident near the coast or within reach of an official lifeboat, your easyRESCUE ID is detected and compared directly with the database. Now if it were to be a rescue mission of these institutions through which stored data can also special features such as Allergies, spec. Diseases or the like are taken into account.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

It will only be collected for individuals and schiffsrelevante data. And you as a user of a easyRESCUE voluntary. It is this: Name, address, birth date, informing people in an emergency, special information (diseases, Allergieen) Name of ship, ship, call sign, MMSI number., Charter operation

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

Yes, the data is secure. Of course, no one gets access to your stored data. Only in an emergency, it is the official bodies by the identification of your activated easyRESCUE possible to consult the relevant emergency. Without activated ID is not possible. Each easyRESCUE is a personal and very individual code in, you can log in with you and your data about change, and of course can delete it.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

If there is a contact between antenna and left screw of backside of easyRESCUE-A for more than 2 seconds it will activate! And of course if you press the ON-Button on the front.

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FAQ: easyRESCUE >>>

We measure the electrical resistance between antenna axis and left screw where you fix the backplate. Is it zero for longer than one second the device will activate.

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There are two possibilities:

1. Your plotter or its software is too old.

An AIS SART or MOB transmits on the worldwide known AIS frequencies (161.975 & 162.025 MHz) with a defined MMSI number starting with 970 (AIS S.A.R.T., easyRESCUE) or 972 (AIS MOB, easyONE).

It uses the message 1 for position update (there are 27 used messages within the AIS system) and 14. Message 14 is the SRM (Safety Related Message).

Within this there is the Navigational status: 15 is transmitted within Test-Mode by pressing the “TEST”-Button, 14 is for an active alarm by activating the unit.

Maybe your chart plotter is too old to show you the symbol of an “S.A.R.T.”. This is a red circle with a cross inside.

Please have a look at your ship list. Here you should see a MMSI number starting with 970 / 972. If yes, please try to contact the manufacturer of your plotter if there is an available update.

2. Your receiver could be overloaded. But what´s this?

Let us explain it in a different way. Somebody is screaming to you near your ears. So you are not able to understand him.

In this case the “ear” is the receiver and the noise comes from the transmitter. This means if you are to near to each other you cannot understand it by overloading.

If you go to a farer distance maybe >20 meters the receiver is able to understand the signal again.
In another way you also can twist the antenna around the transmitters housing to attenuade the radiated transmitting power. So you reduce the chance of overloading.

For the trials the easyRESCUE / easyONE also needs a GPS signal. So please go outside on deck or maybe the gangplank.

If somebody is falling into the water it takes round about 4-5 seconds to open the automatic life vest and to pull the person above the waterline.
Until the emergency transmitter has got the GPS fix it also can take 35 seconds up to 2min. Within very bad weather conditions and environment it also can take up to 5minutes.

So if a boot is driving 2 knows which is very slow the boat is moving 1.02 meters within one second. So under normal conditions the boat is moving 39 meters before the first signal from our unit and this distance is far enough that

all receivers can get this. So you don´t have to be worried about that “overloading”.

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FAQ: easySPLIT OCB

View category →

The class B transmitter, as you know, is a “light” version of the class A transmitter. The differences are:Class B: lower rate of telegrams (e.g. every 30s for a speed of 14kn, whereas for the class A transmitter it is every 10s). Does not transmit the IMO number or the call sign. Does not transmit ETA ordestination. Does not transmit the status of navigation. It is necessary to receive or transmit binary messages. Does not transmit if the the ship is turning. Does not transmit the draft.

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FAQ: easySPLIT OCB >>>

Yes, that is right.

The normal easySplit has a lower standby-current because the relays, which is switching off the AIS and FM – radio while the VHF-transmission, does not need a current during the standby mode. However the pin-diods inside the easySplit OCB need a standby-current.

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FAQ: easySPLIT OCB >>>

It is possible to combine your DSC Pacific with our easySPLIT OCB. But please do not put the easySPLIT OCB between box and antenna, but on the exit for the VHF radio.

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easyTRX 1. Generation

View category →

easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

You can do both, by software and also with an external switch.
We lead two cables out, a black one and a mauve one. If these two cables are connected (e.g. by means of a switch) the easyTRX works only in the receiving mode. If the cables are not connected, it works in transmitting and receiving mode.

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Yes, normally no problem. But you have to check whether the C70 is already AIS capable.If you find an “AIS topic” in the systems configuration if it is AIS capable. If there is no “AIS settings” you probably have to make a plotter software update first. For that please contact your Raymarine dealer. Also please check, whether the NMEA port is “free”. If this port is occupied with another unit and a different data speed in comparison to the easyTRX (easyTRX has got 38400 Baud data rate), than you might need a multiplexer to get the data with different speed into one NMEA port.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

You need a PC only one time at the beginning to enter your MMSI and the rest of the ship data like name, length, etc. etc. After this is programmed you do not need any more your PC.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

Normally each chart plotter which is able to display AIS has got the possibility to set an alarm. This alarm is called “CPA” = closest point of approach. Normally you can set this to 5nm and every vessel which comes closer would initiate an alarm at the plotter. Also it is the same with the most PC navigation software, which are able to display AIS. There should also be a setting.

If you do not use, either a plotter, nor a software I could recommend “Yacht AIS” from the company Y-tronic. They have a very simple, but very nice software which shows the other ships in a radar screen and which gives you also an alarm on the PC if the ship is in your CPA range.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

Following is the reason: Class B transmitters, as ours, work within a process which is called SOTDMA. (self organized time division multiple access). This means the big vessels listen to the traffic and the information containing in all other telegrams and defines it’s own raster of transmission timing, which is then distributed to all other participants within the radio range. Our class B transmitter, as all the others too, is using a “listen-before-talk-method”. This means, that before transmitting, a ship has to observe the radio transmission timeslots, whether to be allowed to transmit, if the timeslot is not occupied, or whether to wait for a free time slot. A timeslot is very very short (app. 25ms). Therefore the starting time of a class B telegram must be very exact on time. This is only possible by a microsecond exact timebase. Normal GPS antennas do have an accuracy of 1 sec., sometimes a little bit better, but not as exact as necessary. With the GPS antenna which can be purchased from us the microcontroller inside the easyTRX is calculating the timebase in microseconds and therefore it is proofed that the telegram is transmitted exactly when it is allowed. With a normal GPS antenna this would not be possible.

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The combination antenna is easy to mount and works very well.The quality of the reception is very similar to a regular VHF antenna. The difference is the height of the antenna in which the combination antenna is mounted normally. A typical mounting place of the combination antenna is the railing at the stern of the ship. This “mounting” height is much less than the height of the masttop. In our practical use we found out, that the transmission range and the reception range is more or less the half. With our easySPLIT OCB and the masttop antenna you have a typical range of app 8nm for the transmission of your AIS data and app 25nm for the reception of other AIS data (Depends of course of the antenna and cable quality, as well as of the weather!) This is simply due to the reason of the physical effect of the VHF (Distance is line of sight and you know, as higher, as better).

“There is not such a good amplifier existing than a high mounted antenna!”

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With reference to the cable we did the following: The existing cable is already 5m long. We tested the VHF/GPS combination antenna with an additional 10 m long cable. At the end the total cable length was 15 m. The additional cable was a simple RG58 cable. It had a male TNC plug and a female TNC plug as extension plugs between the existing cable and the TRX. The plugs were crimped to the cable. This worked very well. All the satellites in our hemisphere were visible.Therefore we can guarantee a 100% working for a cable length of 15m with RG 58 But as you know as better the cable is, as better the reception and transmission will work.

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Please note that you need a separate GPS Antenna for the Class B transceiver.The antenna which is on board, does not work probably. The normal GPS antenna are „active“ antenna, which are already sending a coded telegram (NMEA 0183). These telegrams are perfect adapted for PC programs and cardplotter. Most telegrams are only closely for 1 second or 1/10 second. That is to incorrect for a class B AIS transmitter. The timebasis for AIS radio communication must be closely 1ms also a/1000 second. This accuracy will be reached when the GPS antenna is sending the raw data to the Class B AIS tranceiver also easyTRX. The raw data are transmitted from easyTRX into the correctly time base.

Thats why you need an separate GPS mushroom-type antenna, which send the raw data to the easyTRX.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

All class B transceiver have in common, that they need an own GPS.

This is necessary because the normally existing GPS antennas deliver NMEA GPS data. This NMEA datas are generally not exactly enough in reference to their time-base. A typical class B AIS telegram takes 25ms. Within 1 ms the class B transceiver has to deliver his „beam“. In order that the sent telegrams are not overlapping, every sender has to keep an exact for sending. The date for sending has to be more accurate as the telegram. The date of sending is determined at ca. 100µs by the class B sender. This is only possible, when the sender gets the raw data from the GPS antenna and not NMEA data, which are only accurate to 1/10 s. This is the reason. For a reliable operation GPS datas on a µs base are needed. With the explanation above you need 2 GPS antennas. One with NMEA data for your chartplotter and one for the easyTRX.

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If you want to operate a dsc-radio station or an AIS-transponder easyTRX on a boat, you need a registration for this radio-station. You get the registration from the federal network agency. The federal network agency will allocate your radio-station a MMSI-number, which you program into the easyTRX. If you da already have a MMSI and additional you want to operate an easyTRX, you must send a notification of change to the federal network agency. You program your existing MMSI into the easyTRX.-Under this link you get more information: Bundesnetzagentur Aussenstelle Hamburg Sachsenstr. 12 und 14 20097 Hamburg Tel.: 040 23655-0 Fax: 040 23655-182 E-Mail: [email protected]   www.bundesnetzagentur.de

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If you want to operate a dsc-radio station or an AIS-transponder easyTRX on a boat, you need a registration for this radio-station. You get the registration from the federal network agency. The federal network agency will allocate your radio-station a MMSI-number, which you program into the easyTRX. If you already have a MMSI and additional you want to operate an easyTRX, you must send a notification of change to the federal network agency. You program your existing MMSI into the easyTRX.-Under this link you get more information: Bundesnetzagentur Aussenstelle Hamburg Sachsenstr. 12 und 14 20097 Hamburg Tel.: 040 23655-0 Fax: 040 23655-182 E-Mail: [email protected] http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

No, you can install an easyTRX on your boat. A certificate of marine communications is not necessary for the AIS-transponder.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>At first a general information: The easyTRX is “dull” in regard to data evaluation on the PC.

This evaluation is not done by the easyTRX itself, but by the PC or plotter. The easyTRX is only very complex regard to high frequency data reception. There are ca. 45 different navisoftwares world wide. Unfortunately it can not basically be said if your own C-Map version is compatible to AIS or not. Generally C-Map is compatible to AIS since two years.

Please check out www.c-map.com to ask whether your Version is compatible to AIS.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

The AIS software, which is delivered with every easyTRX, programs your specific ship data in the easyTRX, so that they could be send. Furthermore, you can display targets in a certain area around you on a radar-like screen. There you can not see marine charts, but this radar-like screen.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

Yes, the easyTRX works completely independent. As long as the easyTRX is switched on, it receives and sends data.

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This error is probably due to your plotter or PC software.The easyTRX always sends the own position in a NMEA-Sentence, too. It is the sentence “VDO” (own AIS position). The other targets (ships) are sent with the sentence “VDM” to the plotter/PC. We guess that the plotter or PC software you use does not make a difference between VDO and VDM. An update could help here. The easyTRX can not suppress the VDO, because it is mandatory.

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The easyTRX sends, like all other CLASS B units – position data and static data. It is mandatory when and how often these data has to be transmitted. In that point, there is no difference in Class B units.Position data (Msg.-type 18) are sent every 30 sec if you are faster that 2 kn, else it is sent every 3 min. The static data (Msg.-type 24) are sent every 6 min. It is always exactly 6 min; more often is forbidden. After switching on, it could last up to 6 min until the static data are visible to other ships.

Please make sure you entered your statistic data with the Link2AIS software. If you did not do so, the Msg.24 is “empty”. (You only have to program the easyTRX once; then the data remains in the unit).

Another reason for not being seen could be your antenna. All AIS Class B have a transmission power of 2 W. It could be that your antenna cable is too long with a too bad quality or your antenna is mounted to deep. The higher the antenna is mounted, the bigger is their range.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

The 12 V alarm sounds, when the voltage while sending is under 9,6 V. While sending, the easyTRX needs about 2 A power. Please make sure that your cable is not too long and has an adequate width.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

You have to check one thing: Are all the customized data set in the Link2AIS software (Static Data Configuration)? Only if these data are set, the data can be transmitted. If the dealer sets the MMSI, the rest of the data might still miss and therefore will not be transmitted.

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What you detect is totally o.k. and normal.This is due to the difference between dynamic and static data. In the AIS radio net there are at the moment 24 different message types existing. The dynamic data of a class B AIS transmitter are sent with the telegram type 18. The static data of a class B AIS transmitter are sent with the telegram type 24. Each telegram, not depending on type length is 25ms. All telegrams are checked internally in the easyTRX, if all the data are received completely. If the checksum is not correct, the telegram won´t appear on the plotter screen.Dynamic data type 18: If the pleasure vessel is faster than 0,1kn the transmission cycle time is 30sec. If the pleasure vessel is at anchor the transmission cycle time is 3min. Dynamic Data content: MMSI, SOG, Position Lat and Long, COG, UTC and TH.

Static data type 24: Not depending on the speed or the vessel, the static data transmission cycle time is 6 min. Static data content: MMSI, call sign, ships name, ship type (37= pleasure boat), dimensions of the ship, pos of the GPS antenna on the ship.

Now the situation is the following: Let’s say the customer gets the first input of dynamic data at 8nm distance. It might take max 6min from that point that the other Class B ship sends out a static data. If there are interferences the customer might not get the static data once. So he has to wait again for further 6min. With the dynamic data, a “lost” of one telegram is not so dramatic, because these are repeated every 30s. With the static data, a “lost” of one telegram is suboptimal, because these are repeated every 6 min.

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The error originates from the coast guard’s software.The standard of AIS Class B for pleasure boats has been realized in 2006. We know that some older AIS Class A ships have problems with the Class B transmissions. It is only a matter of time until the older Class A update their software. If the coast guards ask you again about that problem, you can show them the certifications number which you can find in the manual. It is the number BSH / 46162 / 4320638 / 07 and says that the unit is legal.

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

The easyTRX housing is isolated, whereas the VHF and the GPS antenna shield is connected to battery minus.
RS232 is referenced to battery minus.
RS422 is isolated.

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If you changed the antenna and the fault is still appearing, the problem might be the plotter:You have to know that the easyTRX is sending failure messages regularly. There is “flag” in each failure message. This flag shows whether there is a real failure or only the regularly “internal check” and the report about it.

If the flag in the failure message is “V”, means system checked, no failure -=>v for verified.

If the flag in the failure message is “A”, means failure a=> acknowledges, means real failure existing.

The plotter does not interpret the “failure flags” in a correct way. It might receive failure messages and if there are a lot of messages (incl. AIS messages) it just displays the failures, which are no failures indeed, just to get rid of them to get free space.

We know it from the Raymarine plotter E120 and with the newest plotter software this problem disappeared. Please check out if you have the latest software variant firmware update.

Another possibility to check it is if the green LED on the easyTRX is on, there is no “real failure”. It is a misinterpretation of the plotter!!

Also at the easyTRX Link to AIS software there is in expert mode the possibility to see the alarm log. There you can see whether the alarm is a real one, with “A” or just the confirmation with “V” that there is no alarm. Please check this out.

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The first thing to check is if you set the dimensions A, B, C, D in the easyTRX software. Some plotters need that to show the ship on screen.There could be some more reason:
The Raymarine C70 and C120 have an old software that is not able to decode Class B AIS (pleasure boats) messages. They only show Class A AIS (commercial vessels).Please do an update to version 4.29. This is the software which is able to display Class B AIS!
When you turn on the easyTRX and the green light is on (yellow, red and blue LED must be off!), then you have to wait up to 3-4 min until the easyTRX transmits!

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easyTRX 1. Generation >>>

This mode is called “silent mode”. Connection as follows: from the machine run out 4 harnesses. 1x Power, 1x data for plotters, 1x data for PC, 1x external switch. The Wire for the external switch is 2-pole, black and purple. If the wires are shorted, i.e. are connected via a switch, then the easyTRX in pure reception mode. With this switch, then a switch between transmit / receive mode (switch is not closed) and closed pure reception operation (shaded) is possible.

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Reasons can be various.

Amongst other things, the reason could be that you are out of range of the receiving station of this web-services.

Also it could take some time to see all your data there, it is not 100 percent live!

 

To check if the other vessels receive your position, just ask them by your VHF radio.

This is the easiest and most effective way.

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Following instruction is only valid for our easyTRX2 and easyTRX2S units and its derivate!

To reset your unit on your own is not allowed by law.
Only the manufacturer or distributor is allowed to do that.
Therefore we need following to do:

  1. Download the Teamviewer from here,  or a good alternative: https://www.dwservice.net/
    a. with this tool we will afterwards logon your PC to reset the easyTRX2.
    b. You don´t need to install the software. You also can start it only when downloaded it.
    c. It is important that you see following window with „your ID” and the “password”:
       or
    You need this ID and password later.
    d. Download the latest easyTRX2 Programming tool (Windows only= from here:
         Link
    e. If you have a older easyTRX 1. Generation #A023, please use following Programming-Tool.
         Link
    f. Unzip the ZIP-File and start installation.
  2. Connect your TRX2/TRX2S to power supply of 12/24V and USB to a free slot of your Windows PC.
    a. If your PC knows your USB driver you can go ahead with 4)
    b. If windows makes troubles recognize your USB driver you can download it from here (use Windows version again).
         Link
    c. Connecting older version of easyTRX 1. Generation #A023:
    i. Use a USB to RS234 adaptor and connect the black SUB D 9 socket to it on the PC.
  3. Start the Programming tool from 2)
    a. Select COM port, normally it is the highest number (e.g. COM8)
    b. If you have a older easyTRX 1. Generation #A023, just hit the “Connect” button, it will search automatically for your unit.
    c. Press “Connect”, if you are connected successfully you can see a green bar with “connected”.
  4. Start Teamviewer Tool
    a. Send us ID and password by mail or give us a call (+49 911 376638-30) which would be faster.
  5. We will logon your PC then (please close all other programs) and make a factory reset of the unit.
  6.  Afterwards you can program your unit by yourself again
    a. Also here it means: programming the MMSI number is only possible once.
    If you enter it wrong we need to make the factory reset again.

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FAQ: easyTRX2-IS

View category →

FAQ: easyTRX2-IS >>>

There is only one difference between both devices -> the splitter.
So we disclaimed to print an extra manual.

You can have a look at the manual here …
The splitter-function is under 3.7.1.

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FAQ: easyTRX2-IS >>>

If you use Norton as Antivirus program that could be the problem.
Norton SONAR does not know these *.exe-file of our Programming-Tool.
It will be deleted. So for the time you program the device you could disable this SONAR-protection. You can set it in your Norton Programm Interface.

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FAQ: easyTRX2-IS >>>

The AIS Receiver of the other ship is overloaded. It means the AIS receiver is getting to high signal from the easyTRX/ -IS. Cheap AIS receivers (made in China …) can be easily overloaded by a strong AIS signal. If you use products of weatherdock company you certainly don’t have the problem with overload of the AIS receiver. All our products are absolutely overload-save.

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This can caused by a lot and you cannot say it easy. To solve the problem please connect by USB to your PC and open the Programming-Tool.

Under the page “Diagnostic” you can see the error.

 

VSWR exceeds limit:
The easyTRX2 / S measures after every transmission how much power was sent to your antenna(Forward power) system and how much of it comes back(Reverse power). The easyTRX2 / S use these values and calculated if your antenna is good or bad. An error is reported when the “Forward TX power” no longer is worth at least 3 times higher than the “TX reverse power”. You can find these values in our Programming-Tool.

If this happens, please check your antenna system and whether all adapters and connectors are properly connected.
A defect of the easyTRX2/S you can find out with the following steps:
1. Make a note of “TX power forward” and “reverse TX Power” if your unit is sent with attached antenna.
2. Now disconnect the antenna and wait for 6 minutes. If the values differ only low (about 30), so please contact our technical support.

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Reasons can be various.

Amongst other things, the reason could be that you are out of range of the receiving station of this web-services.

Also it could take some time to see all your data there, it is not 100 percent live!

 

To check if the other vessels receive your position, just ask them by your VHF radio.

This is the easiest and most effective way.

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  1. Connect to your easyTRX2S WiFi network (network name SSID and Password are found at the bottom of your unit).
  2. Open your AIS Software
  3. Go to the Software settings page
  4. Select somewhere AIS data and Data source
  5. Source:
    • Standard: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.16.254 Port 8080
    • Older WiFi-Units: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.10.1 Port: 5101

If you software does NOT support data by TCP-IP connection, you need to generate a virtual COM-Port.
Here we recommend to use the tool from www.eterlogic.com, here TCP-Data are virtually send to a COM-Port.
This new COM-Port is the source in your AIS Software for AIS data.

When you need further assistance you can send us an email to [email protected]

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Following instruction is only valid for our easyTRX2 and easyTRX2S units and its derivate!

To reset your unit on your own is not allowed by law.
Only the manufacturer or distributor is allowed to do that.
Therefore we need following to do:

  1. Download the Teamviewer from here,  or a good alternative: https://www.dwservice.net/
    a. with this tool we will afterwards logon your PC to reset the easyTRX2.
    b. You don´t need to install the software. You also can start it only when downloaded it.
    c. It is important that you see following window with „your ID” and the “password”:
       or
    You need this ID and password later.
    d. Download the latest easyTRX2 Programming tool (Windows only= from here:
         Link
    e. If you have a older easyTRX 1. Generation #A023, please use following Programming-Tool.
         Link
    f. Unzip the ZIP-File and start installation.
  2. Connect your TRX2/TRX2S to power supply of 12/24V and USB to a free slot of your Windows PC.
    a. If your PC knows your USB driver you can go ahead with 4)
    b. If windows makes troubles recognize your USB driver you can download it from here (use Windows version again).
         Link
    c. Connecting older version of easyTRX 1. Generation #A023:
    i. Use a USB to RS234 adaptor and connect the black SUB D 9 socket to it on the PC.
  3. Start the Programming tool from 2)
    a. Select COM port, normally it is the highest number (e.g. COM8)
    b. If you have a older easyTRX 1. Generation #A023, just hit the “Connect” button, it will search automatically for your unit.
    c. Press “Connect”, if you are connected successfully you can see a green bar with “connected”.
  4. Start Teamviewer Tool
    a. Send us ID and password by mail or give us a call (+49 911 376638-30) which would be faster.
  5. We will logon your PC then (please close all other programs) and make a factory reset of the unit.
  6.  Afterwards you can program your unit by yourself again
    a. Also here it means: programming the MMSI number is only possible once.
    If you enter it wrong we need to make the factory reset again.

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Dieser Fehler kann bei den Geräten easyTRX2/S sowie den easyTRX3 Geräten auftreten.
Das ist aber kein Grund zur Panik, das können Sie selbst lösen.

Der Fehler selbst kann auftreten wenn:

  1. die Betriebsspannung während des Winterlagers ganz langsam sinkt und ab einem gewissen Bereich kommt, der dann zu Schreibfehlern führt (nur ältere easyTRX2 Geräte)
  2. Die Verbindung während eines laufenden Updatevorgangs unterbrochen wurde (z.B. durch schlechte USB-Kabel, Wackelkontakt,…, alle Geräte)
  3. Sie den Update-Vorgang starten wollten, während noch keine Firmware auswählt war (easyTRX3, ältere Version vom Programming-Tool < 1.8)

Fehler-Merkmal:

  • Im Normal-Fall booten die Geräte beim Anschluss von 12V regulär hoch, hier blinken alle LEDs abwechseln. Ist dies aber nicht der Fall und die Warning/Error LED ist sofort aktiv, könnte eine fehlende Firmware die Ursache sein.
  • Außerdem ist es Ihnen im Fehlerfall nicht möglich, sich via USB/WiFi mit dem Gerät zu verbinden.

Lösung:

Je nachdem welches Gerät Sie haben, gibt es verschiedene Lösungen:

  1. easyTRX2:
  • Laden Sie die Firmware von hier herunter.
    • Die ZIP-Datei entpacken Sie bitte um die darin enthaltene *.wdc Datei zu bekommen. Diese benötigen wir später, bitte den Pfad zur Datei merken.
  • Verbinden Sie 12 oder 24V DC mit dem Gerät sowie das USB A auf A-Kabel mit dem Windows PC (MAC nicht verfügbar!).
  • Öffnen Sie nun das Programming-Tool, wählen Sie den COM-Port aus, betätigen Sie aber NICHT “Connect”!
  • Oben Links wählen Sie sodann File > Update aus
  • Nun die voherige *.wdc Datei auswählen und “2 Start Update” betätigen.
  • Der Vorgang sollte nun laufen, das Gerät am Ende wieder normal starten und laufen.

2. easyTRX3

  • Laden Sie die Firmware von hier herunter.
    • Die ZIP-Datei entpacken Sie bitte um die darin enthaltene *.hex Datei zu bekommen. Diese benötigen wir später, bitte den Pfad zur Datei merken.
  • Trennen Sie 12 oder 24V vom Gerät, für das Update wird kein Bordnetz benötigt, trennen Sie außerdem das USB-Kabel.
  • Die Geräte-LEDs sollten alle ausgeschaltet sein.
  • Öffnen Sie das Programming-Tool, unten Links den Button “Info/Update” dann “FW Update“.
  • Wählen Sie nun die *.hex Datei aus die Sie zuvor heruntergeladen haben.
  • Verbinden Sie nun das USB-A auf Micro B-Kabel mit PC und easyTRX3, der Updatevorgang sollte automatisch starten.
  • Nach dem Update-Vorgang können Sie auch wieder die 12/24V anschließen, das Gerät funktioniert nun wieder normal
Weitere Downloads finden Sie hier, z.B das Programming-Tool.

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FAQ: Antennas

View category →

FAQ: Antennas >>>

The combination antenna is easy to mount and works very well.The quality of the reception is very similar to a regular VHF antenna. The difference is the height of the antenna in which the combination antenna is mounted normally.

A typical mounting place of the combination antenna is the railing at the stern of the ship. This “mounting” height is much less than the height of the masttop. In our practical use we found out, that the transmission range and the reception range is more or less the half. With our easySPLIT OCB and the masttop antenna you have a typical range of app 8nm for the transmission of your AIS data and app 25nm for the reception of other AIS data (Depends of course of the antenna and cable quality, as well as of the weather!) This is simply due to the reason of the physical effect of the VHF (Distance is line of sight and you know, as higher, as better).

“There is not such a good amplifier existing than a high mounted antenna!”

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FAQ: Antennas >>>

It is not easy to give a limit for a good or bad antenna installation.

But here are some values which could be a guideline:

Fwd-Pwr Banten 1: 143
Fwd-Pwr Banten 2: 154
Fwd-Pwr Discone: 145
Fwd-Pwr no antenna: 34

Rev-Pwr Banten 1: 31
Rev-Pwr Banten 2: 15
Rev-Pwr Discone: 23
Rev-Pwr no antenna: 26

VSWR Banten 1: 4,6
VSWR Banten 2: 10,3
VSWR Discone: 6,3
VSWR no antenna: 1,3

Explanation of the table: When you start the Link2AIS program and look at the “Maintenance / Modem Data”, you can see the “forward power” (Fwd-Pwr) and the “reverse power” (Rev-Pwr).

1.) Please wait until the easyTRX has transmitted a message.
You can see that when the values are changing.

2.) Then divide the fwd-pwr by the rev-pwr values. You see that ratio in the VSWR-rows.
VSWF means “voltage standing wave ratio”

In the last row there is a value below 3 (VSWR no antenna: 1,3). That means it is bad. Of cause, because we had no antenna connected.

The other three columns show typical values, which are all perfect.

Conclusion: If the VSWR value is higher than 3, you have a good antenna installation and good cable connection.

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FAQ: Antennas >>>

Please follow the link below for installation instructions. This will show you what to look for and what are the usual mistakes.

antenna installation

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FAQ: WiFi

View category →

FAQ: WiFi >>>

All Weatherdock WiFi products, such as easyAIS_WiFi, easyAIS-IS_WiFi, easyTRX2_WiFI and easyTRX2-IS_WiFi, are fully compatible with popular AIS navigational apps for iPad, iPhone or iPod, e.g.

  • iNavX (charged)
  • A new license is mandatory. An existig licens for Chart plotter is not useable.
  • AIS Radar (charged)
  • iPilot (charged)
  • easyAIS(free in Appstore(Apple) and Playstore(Google))

All Weatherdock WiFi-devices are also compatible to the charged Android-App iRegatta.

The WiFi units are ready for the usage with Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 while system is running 32 bit.

Please use following values to connect to your WiFi-device:
Ip adress: 192.168.10.1
Port: 5101
You´ll find password and network name underneath your device.

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  1. Connect to your easyTRX2S WiFi network (network name SSID and Password are found at the bottom of your unit).
  2. Open your AIS Software
  3. Go to the Software settings page
  4. Select somewhere AIS data and Data source
  5. Source:
    • Standard: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.16.254 Port 8080
    • Older WiFi-Units: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.10.1 Port: 5101

If you software does NOT support data by TCP-IP connection, you need to generate a virtual COM-Port.
Here we recommend to use the tool from www.eterlogic.com, here TCP-Data are virtually send to a COM-Port.
This new COM-Port is the source in your AIS Software for AIS data.

When you need further assistance you can send us an email to [email protected]

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Please check if the easyTRX3 WiFi network “easyTRX3_xxxxx” is visible with your PC/Laptop/mobilephone.
Also check if not regular reboot of the easyTRX3 happens.
You can see it when all LEDs light up regulary.
If you see regular reboot, please check your power wires.

Note that the easyTRX3-Manager app does not keep alive in background.
It is just used for programming and diagnose of the easyTRX3.
If you close app, press Home-button or lock your phone, the app disconnects from easyTRX3.

But that does not mean that you don´t get AIS-/GPS data.
The app is not required for this.

If you use an AIS app please get sure that it is able to get AIS data by TCP/IP.
Use IP 192.168.16.254 and Port 8080 within that app.

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FAQ: easySPLIT 2nd. Gen.

View category →

We know this effect and it can have two possible causes.1) Activating, the split relais switched on (starting the broadcast). We guess the following: The antenna is o.k. and correct connected with coaxial cable. The sensors of the EasySplit are so constructed that it is possible to work from the lower limit about 250mW to the upper limit with 30w. When the transmitting power is lower than 250mW, the detector is in the lower threshold and the relais will begin to jitter. This doesn`t happen at a transmission with high power. Please check: Does your described effect appear at both adjustable powerlevels of the transmitter?

2) Reflection because of a not-resonant antenna or defective cable. If the power of the transmitter is not clear transmitted through the easySPLIT to the end of the antenna, that means it is reflected at the antenna contact, a standing wave in the device and cable to the sender will occur. Because of this overlay effects of the back and forth wave on the conductor board will appear, which can reduce the level for the detector and cause the jittering. In most cases this happens at low power but is also possible to happen at high power. Please check: Are the contacts of the antenna connector correct soldered and is the groundground of the coaxial cable correct separated from the inner wire? Please check this again at the connector which goes into the easySPLIT, at the connector which goes into the radio transceiver and at the radio transceiver itself.

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FAQ: easySPLIT 2nd. Gen. >>>

Yes it does, though it hurts that you do not have the best AIS receiver (ours) onboard. Our easySPLIT is compatible with all AISreceivers without exception.

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Originally it was planned that splitter can also divide the frequencies for the GSM network. But during several tests it showed, that in fact the easySPLIT could do this, as calcutaled by the simulation, but the normal VHF-antenna does not cover the frequency band which is necessary for the GSM-network. Even by several technical experiments we did not receive a good result.Our quality standard, to offer good solutions, did not allow us to proceed with that variant. Because the tool for the box was already finished, the hole for the GMS branching was kept inside at the early beginnig with our 1st generation of products. An after-market additional accessory will not be available in the future.

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FAQ: easySPLIT 2nd. Gen. >>>

The FM-output of the easySPLIT has an upper frequency limit of about 108Mhz. 156Mhz are in the cut-off area of the electronic filter connected to the FM output. Therefore it will not work to connect a DSC-receiver to the FM output (car radio). But, of course you can use the DSC controller at the VHF output of the easySPLIT.

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FAQ: easySPLIT 2nd. Gen. >>>

For protection of the connected hardware the outputs to the AIS-receiver and to the VHF-radio are disconnected when sending with the VHF-voice radio. It will be switched over at a transmission power of about 250mW. But it means only a low restriction, because the voice radio works mostly in stand-by mode on reception.

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Your question means the situation like anchoring in a port, coastal shipping without navy shipping etc. where the operation of the AIS receiver is not necessary or is senseless. As in the port, if you want to listen to the weather report on VHF. Your question is also legitimate. The „way/path“ VHF antenna – radio transceiver is security relevant. Because of that the „way/path“ is always connect through, that means you can always listen to the VHF radio and also transmit with the VHF radio, even though the easySplit 2nd G. is not connected with the power supply of the boat or is not switched on.

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You need to use the easySPLIT OCB (OCB=operates class B) because of the following reason:If you use the easySPLIT there are connected the following devices: FM radio, VHF radio and AIS receiver. Only one of these units can physically also transmit, which is in this case the VHF radio. In the moment when the VHF radio is transmitting, the other connected devices must be disconnected very fast, so that the transmission power from the VHF is only going into the antenna and not into the also connected devices.Lets have a look now to a typical installation of the easyTRX. With the easySPLIT OCB there are following devices connected to the easySPLIT OCB: The FM Radio, the VHF radio and the easyTRX, which is a class B transceiver. There are two devices connected which can transmit. This means also, that the two connection paths of the VHF radio and the easyTRX must be monitored simultaneously. If one of the “transmitter” is transmitting, the other devices must be disconnected for this time period. This is the difference. With a standard AIS receiver it is sufficient to monitor one connected “transmitter” power entry pathes, with a class B transceiver, like the easyTRX two connected “transmitter” power entry pathes.

The answer is: Only one time, then it is broken. NO, you need to “upgrade” to another hardware, the easySPLIT OCB.

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For the case of a disconnected power supply, the VHF antenna is always connected to the radio over the easySPLIT.That means you can still use your VHF radio. However, if the easySPLIT is switched off, there is no AIS reception, because the antenna always stays connected with the radio. This is for security.

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FAQ: easySPLIT 2nd. Gen. >>>

A normal radio needs ca. 20ms to build up transmission power. Only if the radio has built up its transmission power, the DSC signal can be send. (Of course, if else the signal would be transmitted without power). Meanwhile you can send a DSC Message without problems.

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FAQ: easyTRX3

View category →

  1. Connect to your easyTRX2S WiFi network (network name SSID and Password are found at the bottom of your unit).
  2. Open your AIS Software
  3. Go to the Software settings page
  4. Select somewhere AIS data and Data source
  5. Source:
    • Standard: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.16.254 Port 8080
    • Older WiFi-Units: TCP/IP, IP: 192.168.10.1 Port: 5101

If you software does NOT support data by TCP-IP connection, you need to generate a virtual COM-Port.
Here we recommend to use the tool from www.eterlogic.com, here TCP-Data are virtually send to a COM-Port.
This new COM-Port is the source in your AIS Software for AIS data.

When you need further assistance you can send us an email to [email protected]

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The easyTRX3 has a non removeable integrated SD card.

All received AIS targets and the own position is saved.

By USB you can read-out the SD card.

To do that, please first connect the unit with the programming tool and activate that mode.

Please note that within that time, there is no recording of AIS targets and own position.

For more details please have a look into the manual or follow the instructions within the programming tool.

Storage:

We are using a 4 or 8 GB micro SD card.

With an AIS traffic of e.g. 20% you can safe up to 2 or 4 months.

Rule of thumb: 2GB per month on an AIS traffic with 20%

Exact calculation:

On an AIS traffic with 20%: 20% x 75 slots/sec = 15 Messages per sec.

Each message has 50 characters -> 15 x 50 = 750 characters.

In additon the RMC (own position) is saved which has 66 characters -> 750 + 66 = 816 characters per second

One month has 2.592.000 seconds -> 2.592.000 x 816 characters = 2.115.072.000 -> 2GB

 

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Following instruction is only valid for our easyTRX3 units and its derivate!

  1. Please connect by USB to your easyTRX3
  2. Prese “Info/Update on the bottom left corner
  3. Press “Factory Reset”
  4. Press “Get Key” and you´ll get 16 digits and letters
  5. Mark the whole Key-Field numbers/letters
  6. rightclick with your mouse and press “copy”
  7. Copy exactly that 16 digits/letters within an mail
  8. Send that mail with an information to reset the unit to:
    1. [email protected] or
    2. Give us a call under: +49 (0)911 376638-57.
  9. After you received the PIN back from us please insert that four digits/numbers inside the right field
    • Above picture shows an example only and is not valid for your unit. To finally do the reset, press “Execute Reset”
    • The saved data on your internal storage of the easyTRX3 will not be deleted by that Factory-Reset.
  10. After doing the reset, the tool will be closed automatically
  11. Start the Programming-Tool again if you want to insert new ship datas.

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Yes and no,

if you connect the easyTRX3 only by USB, only the microcontroller is active!

That`s fine for programming your shipdata already at home.

There is an easy reason for that:
The max. current from your USB socket is approx. 500mA.
But if the easyTRX3 should transmitt, we need for 26ms a current of 2A.
Thats absolutely too much for USB.

If you are connected by USB only, following parts are inactive:
-WiFi deactivated, if available
-GPS receiver and internal antenna deactivated
-AIS transmitter and receiver deaktivated
-NMEA2000 deactivated

If you are connected by USB only you´ll see following LEDs:
Power
Warning
Error

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Please connect the USB cable to your PC or Laptop directly to a free USB slot.
Using an external USB-Hub, we recommend to use one with an own external power supply.

After connected well, you should see an COM-Port within the Programming-Tool.
Try the highest number first. If its not the right, just select another and press “Connect”.
You´ll be forwarded to the next page automatically.

If you don´t see any COM-Port please try to use another USB-Slot directly on your PC/Laptop.

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You´ll find it here:
https://www.easyais.com/en/downloads/software-for-trx3/

Also you could search it under:
Information>Download>Software & Drivers>easyTRX3

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With some MAC OS versions starting the easyTRX3 programming tool can cause the following error message:
“App cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer”

This Error comes from a Mac internal “gatekeeper”, which is supposed to prevent malware from getting onto the PC via unknown apps.
Since this tool is the first we developed for Mac, we are not yet certified here.
We assure you that our software is not infected with malware!

If you experience this error, please follow the instructions below:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh40616/mac

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Please check if the easyTRX3 WiFi network “easyTRX3_xxxxx” is visible with your PC/Laptop/mobilephone.
Also check if not regular reboot of the easyTRX3 happens.
You can see it when all LEDs light up regulary.
If you see regular reboot, please check your power wires.

Note that the easyTRX3-Manager app does not keep alive in background.
It is just used for programming and diagnose of the easyTRX3.
If you close app, press Home-button or lock your phone, the app disconnects from easyTRX3.

But that does not mean that you don´t get AIS-/GPS data.
The app is not required for this.

If you use an AIS app please get sure that it is able to get AIS data by TCP/IP.
Use IP 192.168.16.254 and Port 8080 within that app.

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Dieser Fehler kann bei den Geräten easyTRX2/S sowie den easyTRX3 Geräten auftreten.
Das ist aber kein Grund zur Panik, das können Sie selbst lösen.

Der Fehler selbst kann auftreten wenn:

  1. die Betriebsspannung während des Winterlagers ganz langsam sinkt und ab einem gewissen Bereich kommt, der dann zu Schreibfehlern führt (nur ältere easyTRX2 Geräte)
  2. Die Verbindung während eines laufenden Updatevorgangs unterbrochen wurde (z.B. durch schlechte USB-Kabel, Wackelkontakt,…, alle Geräte)
  3. Sie den Update-Vorgang starten wollten, während noch keine Firmware auswählt war (easyTRX3, ältere Version vom Programming-Tool < 1.8)

Fehler-Merkmal:

  • Im Normal-Fall booten die Geräte beim Anschluss von 12V regulär hoch, hier blinken alle LEDs abwechseln. Ist dies aber nicht der Fall und die Warning/Error LED ist sofort aktiv, könnte eine fehlende Firmware die Ursache sein.
  • Außerdem ist es Ihnen im Fehlerfall nicht möglich, sich via USB/WiFi mit dem Gerät zu verbinden.

Lösung:

Je nachdem welches Gerät Sie haben, gibt es verschiedene Lösungen:

  1. easyTRX2:
  • Laden Sie die Firmware von hier herunter.
    • Die ZIP-Datei entpacken Sie bitte um die darin enthaltene *.wdc Datei zu bekommen. Diese benötigen wir später, bitte den Pfad zur Datei merken.
  • Verbinden Sie 12 oder 24V DC mit dem Gerät sowie das USB A auf A-Kabel mit dem Windows PC (MAC nicht verfügbar!).
  • Öffnen Sie nun das Programming-Tool, wählen Sie den COM-Port aus, betätigen Sie aber NICHT “Connect”!
  • Oben Links wählen Sie sodann File > Update aus
  • Nun die voherige *.wdc Datei auswählen und “2 Start Update” betätigen.
  • Der Vorgang sollte nun laufen, das Gerät am Ende wieder normal starten und laufen.

2. easyTRX3

  • Laden Sie die Firmware von hier herunter.
    • Die ZIP-Datei entpacken Sie bitte um die darin enthaltene *.hex Datei zu bekommen. Diese benötigen wir später, bitte den Pfad zur Datei merken.
  • Trennen Sie 12 oder 24V vom Gerät, für das Update wird kein Bordnetz benötigt, trennen Sie außerdem das USB-Kabel.
  • Die Geräte-LEDs sollten alle ausgeschaltet sein.
  • Öffnen Sie das Programming-Tool, unten Links den Button “Info/Update” dann “FW Update“.
  • Wählen Sie nun die *.hex Datei aus die Sie zuvor heruntergeladen haben.
  • Verbinden Sie nun das USB-A auf Micro B-Kabel mit PC und easyTRX3, der Updatevorgang sollte automatisch starten.
  • Nach dem Update-Vorgang können Sie auch wieder die 12/24V anschließen, das Gerät funktioniert nun wieder normal
Weitere Downloads finden Sie hier, z.B das Programming-Tool.

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easy2-MOB

View category →

Check that the magnet switch is set to “ARMED”.
After that all buttons are active.

A22800 easy2-MOB disarmed—> A22800 easy2-MOB armed

Also when you put the unit inside your life vest, get sure that you ARM the unit.
Only then it can activate in an emergency case.

Reason:
New regulations for AIS DSC MOB devices require a deactivation functionality.
This is done with the magnet switch on the easy2-MOB device.

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Within the easy2-MOB unit you can programm up to eight MMSI numbers.
Just download the easy2-MOB app for your mobilephone:
Android:
easy2-MOB
iOs:
easy2-MOB

Activate Bluetooth on your easy2-MOB unit:
1. Push the yellow magnet switch to the left to “ARMED” if not done yet.
2. Press TEST button as long until the white LED stays on
3. Open the App you downloaded before, activate Bluetooth on request
4. Follow instructions within the app to programm the MMSI numbers
5. If you see an MMSI number with 211002010 this is our trial number, you can delete this one

Note:
If you don´t programm any MMSI number into your device, the unit will go into Open Loop directly after actviation in an Emergency case.

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FAQ: AtoN Type 1

View category →

The easyAtoN Type 1 is made to send on AIS Channel 1 and also the same for 2.

Start UTC, Start Slot and Intervall are the same also for Channel 1 and Channel 2.

If you want to have more specific settings, please have a look at our easyAtoN Type 3.

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