17). Harstad, still.

68 48.1 / 16 32.8, guest pontoon. All on our own.

After sunday’s relaxing day, contact was made with the local Raymarine office, and after some discussion, young Sondre came on board with a large backpack full of tools and instruments. He started by finding out that his vintage instrument, (new one away for calibration), for measuring antenne performance was very underperforming, and had to give that up. Next was to change several suspect plugs which might have got wet and corroded. Coupled up the new VHF antenne, which was installed while in Bodø, directly to the VHF radio, and communication with Coastal Radio North was “loud and clear” over both local and distant transmitters. Checked again with the mast-head antenne connected. Again good. So maybe I don’t have to get up to the top of the mast to fix problems there. Whooppee!. Step 1 success. Next, Sondre used my MacBook to download the latest AIS software. That took time and amusement, because he had never used a Mac before and his rapid fingers took several wrong navigations. Installed the software, and coupled the new, now checked antenne directly to the AIS unit. Switched on, and almost immediately there was Josin on MarineTraffic. Step 2 success. Then coupled up the splitter, which divides the antenne signal between VHF and AIS. Definitely worse performance. Discussion. Phone call to office for advice. (local dialect, rapid, difficult to follow, but definitely derogatory remarks about splitters in general, and no upgrade available). Conclusion: Cut out the splitter and have dedicated antenne to AIS and VHF radio. Logical. Simpler. Probably more reliable too. So Sondre, most helpful, returned to the office from a probably-cured Josin, and a happier skipper. First test was today, when we puttered round to the other end of this comprehensive harbour,

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to fill up with diesel, and back. Logg recorded 2,3 nm. MarineTraffic followed us every step of the way. Most encouraging!

We will have to come back to Harstad in a few days to collect new map software for the chartplotter, which couldn’t be downloaded, but had to come by mail.

Yesterday, tuesday, Laundry day. Facilities are in the back of the quayside restaurant, (fish and chips place), but opens at 11. Vintage machines which had to be fed with tokens, (available at the counter), very noisy, but reasonably effective. Cabin full of hanging not-quite-dry washing rest of the day.

Dug out the bicycle yesterday and went for an explore and a bit of shopping at the Marina. Shopping unsuccessful, but pedalling good. Harstad is a mixture of old and shabby and new and bright. Lots of building activity. Enormous new shopping center down by the marina, which has had the inevitable effect of bleeding the center of the town for shops. Harstad still has managed to maintain its center square, with restaurants and hairdressers and coffeshops with their chairs (with encouraging rugs), and tables in the sunshine.

Weather still brightly sunny, but with a chilly north-easterly wind. Forecast for tomorrow is for a gentle westerly, which should waft us eastwards to the next stop, Sjøvegan. Sailplane club there. Trip in sailplane organised, (as eager passenger, hopefully allowed a stir).

Alls well.