AIS 650 - STNG Output Not Working, NMEA Does.

[Wimpress]

My AIS 650 suddenly stopped talking via STNG to my E-140 Widescreen, and started showing the AIS as “OFF” on the sensor status bar. It boots up fine, shows an amber light and then a steady green light (normal). The Diagnostics / External Interfaces / ST NG, shows no devices active, although there is packet activity (perhaps from a ST GPS feeding ST NG through an adapter?)

I’ve swapped out the ST NG spur cable, no change. I disconnected the STNG cable, hooked up the NMEA bi-directional connection, and the AIS now works, but only at NMEA 4800 baud, and not at AIS 38400. I have updated the AIS software to 1.15.01 via SD card, and the ProAIS software shows this version and Port 1 set to 38400.

Questions: Is this a Software or a Hardware glitch? In the AIS or the display? Can I just hook up AIS IN to the #3 NMEA 0183 port on the E140 at 4800 baud (and save a bi-directional port) and what would I lose in using 4800 baud and in not having AIS OUT back to the AIS? Most importantly, can I trust the AIS unit's reliability in the future, or should it be returned and repaired?