Adding NASA ais & splitter to Raymarine E80

[andybussell]

This should be a simple job but on completion rates of acquisition are slow and target ranges only a couple of miles.
If I connect the NASA engine direct to the vhf aerial then lots of data, very fast and ranges out to 10 miles.
Do I need to replace the splitter or am I missing something?
Thanks in advance

 

[duncan99210]

From the symptoms described, I'd investigate fitting a dedicated antenna rather than trying to share one, especially as you've already identified the fact that there's no problem with the setup when the splitter is removed.

 

[RichardS]

It sounds as if you might not be using an active splitter (i.e. one with 12V connections) or are using an active splitter designed for an AIS receiver rather than for an AIS transceiver.

Richard

 

[pvb]

...or are using an active splitter designed for an AIS receiver rather than for an AIS transceiver.

He only has an AIS receiver.

 

[andybussell]

Thanks guys - yes , just a simple NASA engine. I'm going to go with the current set up and see what it's like in practice, next season. If I don't like it then yes, a dedicated aerial is the way to go.

 

[RichardS]

He only has an AIS receiver.

I'm not making any assumptions in case I get hammered.

Richard

 

[RichardS]

Thanks guys - yes , just a simple NASA engine. I'm going to go with the current set up and see what it's like in practice, next season. If I don't like it then yes, a dedicated aerial is the way to go.

Is your splitter active or passive?

Richard

 

[pvb]

I'm not making any assumptions in case I get hammered.

You didn't have to assume anything, he said it was a Nasa AIS engine - they don't make transceivers, as I'm sure you're aware.

 

[RichardS]

You didn't have to assume anything, he said it was a Nasa AIS engine - they don't make transceivers, as I'm sure you're aware.

It would require an assumption that NASA have not released an AIS transceiver recently and the only way to check that would be to Google it ...... and, as you know, I don't Google.

Richard

 

[pvb]

It would require an assumption that NASA have not released an AIS transceiver recently and the only way to check that would be to Google it ...... and, as you know, I don't Google.

Not sure how anyone can function efficiently without Google...

 

[andybussell]

Hello Richard - yes it's the old NASA engine from way back - mk3 I think. Receive only. Do they make a transceiver?

 

[RichardS]

Hello Richard - yes it's the old NASA engine from way back - mk3 I think. Receive only. Do they make a transceiver?

PVB, he say no.

Richard

 

[Pasarell]

Not sure how anyone can function efficiently without Google...

I'm in China at the moment where Google in all its forms is blocked. I get by but can't claim it's easy!

 

[andybussell]

I guess it's active - easysplit is the brand, clicks when you make a vhf transmission.

 

[RichardS]

I guess it's active - easysplit is the brand, clicks when you make a vhf transmission.

Did you connect 12V +ve and -ve wires to the splitter before it would work? If you didn't connect 12V to it, it's a passive splitter and will inevitably reduce the signal strength.

Richard

 

[RobbieW]

On the basis of not much info it sounds like the splitter. I have a similar arrangement with a (powered) splitter servicing a NASA Engine feeding OpenCPN, cant remember what make the splitter is. I get fast acquires and reasonable distance, 15-20 miles from a masthead antenna. Does it make any difference if the VHF is turned off ?

 

[andybussell]

Hi, it is powered but shares power input with the vhf so can't be run independently.

 

[Graham_Wright]

My Nasa AIS receiver came with an active aerial.

 

[RichardS]

Hi, it is powered but shares power input with the vhf so can't be run independently.

That should be fine provided that you always have the VHF switched on when you are using the AIS, which you clearly do otherwise I don't think you'd be getting any targets at all.

I do wonder if there is something wrong with your splitter? Has it ever worked properly or is this the first system you have installed it in?

You might be able to borrow a different one for a few hours and switch them over to see if that solves the problem. If it does I would return your current splitter.

Richard

 

[pvb]

My Nasa AIS receiver came with an active aerial.

That sounds more like a Navtex receiver.