AIS compatibility with Raymarine C70-confused!

[Mike k]

Hi I am thinking of getting a Comar AIS transceiver but I have a Raymarine C 70 chartplotter- I have read the manual but just cannot work out if its compatible (NMEA 0183 port in plotter- what does this mean compared to NMEA 2000 and it says AIS will need 38400 baud- again what does this mean ??) Also will I need a separate VHF Antennae and GPS Antannae. If anyone
has any info or Janet and John guidance I would be most grateful.Thanks.

 

[David2452]

Assuming you have a classic C70 and are already using any other 0183 inputs or outputs at low speed you will have an issue as the C series classic will only do high speed or low speed, not both and setting to either speed governs both in and out so you will need a multiplexer, otherwise just set it to high speed in the menu and off you go. The so called N2K compatability of the 5 pin plug on the C series classic only extends to engine data, and very basic data at that so will be no use to you. The Garmin AIS transponder will allow the output to low speed 0183 so is a help but I don't think others will allow other than high speed.

 

[DipperToo]

I have a C80 updated to the latest software (5.04). I have a fast heading input to the C80 which uses the NMEA port, and the cost of multiplexors is astounding.

As a result, I purchased an EasyAIS receiver which has an NMEA input so it can act as a multiplexor in its own right. This means I can take my existing NMEA data into the EasyAIS which then combines the AIS data on the same output to the C70/80. The C70/80 will need the NMEA port setting to 38400 Baud, and that takes care of the C70/80 side of things. I had a simple pushpit 'stubby' aerial for the EasyAIS receiver and usually get reception for vessels 15 miles away. Details of the simplest receiver they do is here http://www.easyais.de/en/product_page.php?prodid=15 (no affiliation than being a happy customer)

They can be bought for around £200 inc (http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/easy-ais-2nd-generation-2226.html) and pick up a standard stubby VHF aerial. A competant supplier/installer should take no more than a couple of hours which would include making sure the C70 is at the correct software level.

 

[Mike k]

Assuming you have a classic C70 and are already using any other 0183 inputs or outputs at low speed you will have an issue as the C series classic will only do high speed or low speed, not both and setting to either speed governs both in and out so you will need a multiplexer, otherwise just set it to high speed in the menu and off you go. The so called N2K compatability of the 5 pin plug on the C series classic only extends to engine data, and very basic data at that so will be no use to you. The Garmin AIS transponder will allow the output to low speed 0183 so is a help but I don't think others will allow other than high speed.

Hi thanks David, its a 2006 C70- it does not specify its 'classic' so dont know if it is or not.Its connected to a radome and GPS so am not sure if we are using any other 0183 - how can i tell?

 

[Mike k]

I have a C80 updated to the latest software (5.04). I have a fast heading input to the C80 which uses the NMEA port, and the cost of multiplexors is astounding.

As a result, I purchased an EasyAIS receiver which has an NMEA input so it can act as a multiplexor in its own right. This means I can take my existing NMEA data into the EasyAIS which then combines the AIS data on the same output to the C70/80. The C70/80 will need the NMEA port setting to 38400 Baud, and that takes care of the C70/80 side of things. I had a simple pushpit 'stubby' aerial for the EasyAIS receiver and usually get reception for vessels 15 miles away. Details of the simplest receiver they do is here http://www.easyais.de/en/product_page.php?prodid=15 (no affiliation than being a happy customer)

They can be bought for around £200 inc (http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/easy-ais-2nd-generation-2226.html) and pick up a standard stubby VHF aerial. A competant supplier/installer should take no more than a couple of hours which would include making sure the C70 is at the correct software level.

Thanks Dipper - does that need a separate VHF and GPS antannae? Also i was considering a see and be seen system - is this a see only?

 

[David2452]

Hi thanks David, its a 2006 C70- it does not specify its 'classic' so dont know if it is or not.Its connected to a radome and GPS so am not sure if we are using any other 0183 - how can i tell?

Yes it is then, they were not called classic at the time but have been dubbed that since to differentiate them from the new widescreen C series. If it is only using GPS then it could be that it is not already connected to any 0183 devices,( the GPS at the time can be either Seatalk or 0183) check the leads which are shown in the manual to see if they are connected to anything, also see if the Seatalk three pin plug at the back is in use, then assuming you have nothing other than radar & GPS if it is in use the 0183 fly leads should be available for use.

 

[Mike k]

Yes it is then, they were not called classic at the time but have been dubbed that since to differentiate them from the new widescreen C series. If it is only using GPS then it could be that it is not already connected to any 0183 devices,( the GPS at the time can be either Seatalk or 0183) check the leads which are shown in the manual to see if they are connected to anything, also see if the Seatalk three pin plug at the back is in use, then assuming you have nothing other than radar & GPS if it is in use the 0183 fly leads should be available for use.

thanks David- there is a 0183 port free and the GPS and radar must be connected to other ports so i assume i am ok to go straight into the 5 pin 0183 port.
Do you know what '38400 baud' means in relation the AIS as the manual specifically calls for that for AIS?

 

[David2452]

The five pin port is not 0183 but Seatalk2 / rudimentary N2K recieve only, the 0183 cables are fly leads from memory bundled with the power lead, they may have been taped back or even cut short.. 38400 is simply a higher speed of data transmission that AIS uses and can be set in the C series menu.

Edit to say bad memory, the five pin round plug is 0183, the other 5 pin is N2K / Seatalk2

 

[neale]

I have a C80 updated to the latest software (5.04). I have a fast heading input to the C80 which uses the NMEA port, and the cost of multiplexors is astounding.

As a result, I purchased an EasyAIS receiver which has an NMEA input so it can act as a multiplexor in its own right. This means I can take my existing NMEA data into the EasyAIS which then combines the AIS data on the same output to the C70/80. The C70/80 will need the NMEA port setting to 38400 Baud, and that takes care of the C70/80 side of things. I had a simple pushpit 'stubby' aerial for the EasyAIS receiver and usually get reception for vessels 15 miles away. Details of the simplest receiver they do is here http://www.easyais.de/en/product_page.php?prodid=15 (no affiliation than being a happy customer)

They can be bought for around £200 inc (http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/easy-ais-2nd-generation-2226.html) and pick up a standard stubby VHF aerial. A competant supplier/installer should take no more than a couple of hours which would include making sure the C70 is at the correct software level.

DipperToo, you know that there is now a v5.16 software upgrade. It was released specifically to improve AIS functionality. Get it here: http://www.raymarine.eu/knowledgebase/index.cfm?view=3751