AIS and VHF

[cnh]

I have been thinking about getting NASA's AIS engine to attach to my PC. I know you need a VHF connection. My question is: can I use some sort of splitter so that my existing aerial is connected to both the AIS set and the VHF radio?

Nicholas Hill

 

[kaysveistrup]

Sounds highly plausible as splitters are used for a variety of signal input/output uses.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

yes you can, JG tech sell them for £79 (JG Tech AIS combiner, AIS splitter, AIS switcher)

http://www.jgtech.com/shop10.htm

No connection

 

[fireball]

Yes, but the recommendation usually posted here is to use a separate antenna mounted on the pushpit... it leaves your VHF (primary safety equipment) with less point of failures and gives you a backup to your Masthead antenna.

The NASA AIS engine uses a bnc connector - so you'll need an adapter (Malthouse Marine include this with the engine)

 

[cnh]

That could be useful. No chance of using a simple two way splitter then?

 

[Salty John]

No, it has to be an active splitter or there is a danger of transmitting into the AIS, and they are quite expensive. Some AIS manufacturers advise strongly against using a splitter, others seem less concerned.

 

[Blue5]

I have the NASA ais engine with separate aerial on the pushpit, this was the preferred recommendation and works well

 

[cnh]

I know a second aerial would be a good idea, but I want to try to avoid it!

 

[Boomshanka]

NDH,

Could you give some details as to which type of aerial is suitable for an AIS receiver... I might return the 'Easysplit' splitter (I've been having problems with interference) and put a small(ish) standalone aerial on the pushpit.

 

[EDM]

If the splitter fails - and you Transmist at high Power - you will need a new AIS box....

2nd Ant is cheaper, is a backup for main VHF, nothing to go wrong.... but your choice

 

[Oldhand]

I use an EasySplit active antenna splitter. It not only gives connection for your VHF transceiver and AIS receiver but also supplies an antenna output for FM/AM radio, the latter working especially well.

For those who don't recommend using a splitter 'cause it places a possible additional failure mode in a primary piece of safety gear (the VHF), if you mount the splitter and VHF with easy access, the main antenna cable can be reconnected directly to the VHF, thus bypassing the splitter, in a matter of seconds. I thus don't see it as a problem.