NASA AIS Radar problem and firmware update

[Libations Too]

I have enjoyed the benefits of my NASA AIS receiver and display for several years. I especially enjoy the fact that it is a low AH user and that it is a stand alone device, needing only GPS input.

I now have a problem. When the unit is powered up it displays nearby targets as it always has done. However, within a few minutes it "drops" these targets and shows a blank screen (no nearby targets). If I power it off/on it again or go to the threshold/sensitivity screen and then back to the radar screen it detects nearby targets again...but drops them after a few minutes.

I have had a good email exchange with NASA and they are recommending that I buy and install a new firmware chip that promises to fix this "dropped target" problem and update the firmware to receive SART signals and make a few other improvements.

My question: Has anyone else been down this path? Is the firmware chip easy to install? Any other thoughts?

Thanks