Installation of the AIS began Monday and will end today, hopefully. I don’t think it’s normal for an electronic device installation to take nearly three days but due to mixing of “classic” (read: old) equipment with new, high-powered equipment it requires the right integration. The first day could not be concluded until I obtained an FCC radio license and a MMSI number, both issued by the FCC. Thankfully, our federal government operates online so I made application Monday, paid the required registration fees and sometime during the early morning hours of Tuesday I received my license and number. It’s nice when things come together so well.

Yesterday’s work revealed a compatibility issue and after working through Plan A, B, and settling on C, were we able to receive the AIS signal. Today’s work is to finish the cabling for transmission. Fingers crossed!

in the meantime, I pulled up the bicycle and we have been riding it throughout the marina and the surrounding area. It’s a blast! And I’m happy to report, we found and bought another bike. Thanks, Don, for negotiating a good price on it in Atlanta! We’ll have it sent to us at our next port - Clearwater., FL.

This leads me to our weather window. Tomorrow appears to be our best window to cross the Gulf of Mexico for the foreseeable period. It’s about a 200-mile trip which should take about 10 - 12 hours. Our plan is to be under power by first light (0600 CDT) and arrive in Clearwater around 1700 EDT. I’ll top off fuel and pump out today and get to bed early. But the AIS must be fully operational, so I’ll be taking a test run today, too.

We’ve been enjoying mild temps; high yesterday was 69’; today mid 70’s and clear sunny weather. It’s hard to imagine it’s been cold and rainy in ATL and continuing winter across the Midwest.

We’re excited about the crossing but want everything to be work as intended. Looking forward to visiting family in Clearwater!