MikeCC
Well-Known Member
To clarify on splitters, there are effectively 3 types
- passive, only suitable for taking FM off masthead antenna
- active for AIS receive only
- active for AIS transponders
The difference between the last two is down to timing. The active splitters for receivers sense the rising transmission power from the VHF and switch over. This is done in milliseconds. Because the AIS transponders are digital, the signal is up to full power in microseconds, so needs fancier processing to effect the switch to prevent damage to the VHF. In addition, it's clearly got to deal with two transmit devices not one.
Perhaps your VHF might take it a few times with a receive only splitter, as AIS power is only 2W but who knows without frying a radio to find out.
- passive, only suitable for taking FM off masthead antenna
- active for AIS receive only
- active for AIS transponders
The difference between the last two is down to timing. The active splitters for receivers sense the rising transmission power from the VHF and switch over. This is done in milliseconds. Because the AIS transponders are digital, the signal is up to full power in microseconds, so needs fancier processing to effect the switch to prevent damage to the VHF. In addition, it's clearly got to deal with two transmit devices not one.
Perhaps your VHF might take it a few times with a receive only splitter, as AIS power is only 2W but who knows without frying a radio to find out.
