Electronics

Personal data viewable to outsiders on BCA Forum Posts

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:34:13 GMT

The old BCA Message Forum that we were all used to for years was only visible to BCA Members. The new website Forum is viewable to any person in the world with a web browser. That means any personal data like email addresses, phone numbers or addresses for rentals while out cruising will be visible to the public. I hope this changes soon but until it does please be aware of this change. Bottom line: Any personal data you put into any post you enter is viewable to the outside world. Your own personal data in your profile and Member Search content is still safe behind the BCA firewall.

Is anyone in BCA using VARA HF as a means of internet via HF Radio?

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:24:36 GMT

Question for BCA members: 
-Is anyone using VARA HF as an alternative to a pactor modem with their HF radio? 

Accidentally came across this software the other day, and sounds like a really cost-effective backup to satellite communications (Starlink/Iridium). Can get up to 10kb/s internet (email/weather/files sending) for the cost of the software ($70) and an external soundcard ($100-200) and an HF Radio with no running costs. Sounds like a great alternative to shelling out ~$2000 for a P4 Pactor modem to get equivalent speeds. 

Only catch is - much like a pactor modem - need to get your amateur radio license... so time to start studying!
 
https://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/vara-hf-modem/

headsets

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:39:20 GMT

I am looking for recommendations on headsets for communication from the bow to the helm. It seems one ear is recommended to hear environment noise. but also noise cancelling. ?? your opinions and experience please.

Sue Chapman

susandchapman@gmail.com

Tablets

Sun, 12 Feb 2017 23:06:13 GMT

Looking at buying a new Samsung or Apple tablet for our trip to Japan and a backup to our chartploter on Inceptus. They do not seem to tell you the GPS quality. Any one have any advice or recommendations on the tablets to be used on the water? My Samsung 6 smart phone has shrunk, I need bigger letters.

Sling Box

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:48:55 GMT

Does anyone have any experience with a sling box onboard? I have heard it needs a pretty strong internet signal.

mounting arm for laptop

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:05:28 GMT

looking for a bulkhead mounting arm for a small laptop for the nav station, does anyone know a good local source (vancouver)?

thanks

rob

Synching AIS - Std Hor VHF > RayM C90

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 09:50:11 GMT

I have a Standard Horizon VHF with AIS (receiver) that was providing information to, and displaying it on my RayMarine C90 chart plotter. Ever since I reset my chart plotter to factory defaults I've been unable to get AIS targets to show on the screen again. I believe, I've followed the instructions to a 'T' but no luck. Is there an undocumented secret that I'm missing? Thanks. Sheldon.

Radar

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 05:32:33 GMT

We are looking to install a new radar on our Fast Passage 39. We have a very old one that works, but we don't have AIS and I though we should upgrade something and a radar would give us lots of options. How do I narrow down the field about what I want?

Telus or Rogers? Which gets best reception

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 06:55:16 GMT

I currently have a Telus cell phone and am thinking of going with a Fido contract as its considerably cheaper.

Fido assure me that they run on the Rogers network and I hear from others that the Rogers network is equal to Telus.

I am interested in the Gulf Islands, round Vancouver Island and up the coast to Queen Charlotte island etc.

Is the reception really as good as Telus off shore?

I came down the Sunshine coast this summer from Powel river to Vancouver and the reception with Telus was good. Not perfect and I dont expect perfection.

Bill

free plotter software

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 16:51:40 GMT

there are two or more, 'seaclear' and 'opencpn' seem to get good reviews. do any members have an opinion or comment to share on which is superior?

I am also looking for a source of free or low cost e-charts for areas outside the USA. does anyone have a source??

thanks

rob