I'm a Dirty Girl Ep146
We finished the freshwater manifold. It really cleaned up that area in the engine room and will make it easy to shut off each individual circuit.
There are two AIS units on Isabella. One is a built-in receiver on our Icom VHF radio, and the other is the Em-trak AIS transceiver unit which is giving us quite a bit of trouble. The Em-trak was plugged into the NMEA 2000 network and for whatever reason, it wasn't displaying on the Garmin chart plotter. In addition, it is receiving information but doesn’t appear to be transmitting. Isabella's AIS signal is not received on either the ICOM VHF or the Em-trak.
The VHF antenna case was cracked, old and ugly so we replaced it the a new 4200 Shakespeare antenna. It won’t solve our AIS issue, but it looks a lot nicer and will give us better receiving capabilities.
Recovering from several days of being affected by a cold, we felt good enough to go to the beach for some fresh air and dancing. We’re feeling so much better, yea! Even did some boat gardening. We planted some basil seeds and bought a new mother-in-law tongue (Dracaena trifasciata) plant.
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Musical attributes:
softboy - Good Riddance (Instrumental)
Staffan Carlén - Dreamers Disease
The Big Let Down - Game Changer
Sailing Intermission
Steve and Karen: The professor and the vixen navigating their 56ft French ketch, Isabella, through the forensic refit and turquoise waters of the Florida Keys in 2026.
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In the latest Sailing Intermission episode, Steve and Karen tackle an AIS setup challenge on their sailboat while dealing with a broken VHF antenna. They replace the old antenna with a new one and head out to enjoy some fresh air at the beach after recovering from colds.
VHF Antenna Replacement
The couple initially faces issues with their AIS setup on board, realizing that they need a proper VHF antenna to make it work correctly. Their current VHF antenna has cracks at the top and is letting water in through its cable. This water issue seems to be causing some problems with their AIS unit.
In order to fix this issue, Steve and Karen decide to replace the old VHF antenna with a new one. They choose the Shakespeare 4200 Mariner which is a 3db antenna taking in the pl259 connector they already have installed.
AIS Setup Challenges
Throughout the episode, Steve and Karen attempt to troubleshoot their AIS setup. Their MTR B923 has been acting up with its LEDs flashing, searching for GPS signal but not transmitting properly.
In order to test this further, they try matching up data received on their trusted MTR unit compared to the Icom with an AIS receiver built in. While the diagnostics software for MTR shows all green lights, Isabella’s boat still doesn’t show up on their AIS receiver.
Fresh Air and Relaxation
As they navigate through these challenges, Steve and Karen mention how both of them had been under the weather with common cold. After recovering slowly, they decide it’s time for some fresh air.
Hoping to get back 100%, they head out to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach together, sharing their thoughts about gardening and needing to get dirty while being ill. Their love for each other is evident even during such mundane yet fulfilling activities.
Conclusion
This Sailing Intermission episode wraps up by showcasing the couple’s determination in solving issues related to their boat technology, while also reminding viewers of the simple pleasures and happiness found even after recovering from illness. With a mix of humor, vulnerability, and technical problem-solving, Steve and Karen continue to inspire sailing enthusiasts with their adventurous spirits.
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