AIS operational question

[Sea Devil]

With my Simrad AIS transceiver, on its own screen I can interrogate targets of interest receiving their ships name, course, time to passing and distance they will pass me by (or not).

If I install an AIS module which displays on a Raymarine/Garmin chart plotter can i interrogate a target in the same way on the chart plotter or radar readout?

 

[PaulRainbow]

You can, but you'd be better off sending the data from the Simrad AIS to the plotter.

If you fitted a Garmin plotter and had a Garmin VHF, you could also initiate a DSC call to the AIS target from the plotter. You can also do this with some Simrad and B and G plotter/VHF sets. In all cases, the connection between the plotter and the VHF would need to be made using NMEA 2000.

 

[Sea Devil]

Thank you for coming back.
I am downsizing and suspect the next boat will need radar and chart plotter. i use AIS a lot so wondered if it operated in the same way as my stand alone Simrad on the old boat?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thank you for coming back.
I am downsizing and suspect the next boat will need radar and chart plotter. i use AIS a lot so wondered if it operated in the same way as my stand alone Simrad on the old boat?

Plotter and radar will need to be the same brand, AIS does not need to be the same brand. As far as i know, Simrad/B&G and Garmin are the only manufacturers who support initiating a DSC call from the plotter, to an identified target. To do that the plotter and VHF must be the same brand, be connected via NMEA 2000 and obviously support the feature.

So, on a new install, stick with one brand as much as possible, with the exception of AIS.

 

[pvb]

As far as i know, Simrad/B&G are the only manufacturers who support initiating a DSC call from the plotter, to an identified target.

And Garmin, as you mentioned earlier.

 

[Ningaloo]

If you are not familiar with the current generation of plotters you might be surprised to find out how capable they are.
I can recommend B&G which has advanced sail features and links from AIS to VHF as described.
Of course you can configure all the AIS targets and select each one for additional details as you describe.
I find AIS a major safety aid, although you clearly need to be aware that some very large vessels seem not to transmit.

 

[Sea Devil]

The big advantage is that with the name of the vessel of interest displayed you can call it by name - call sign and check its intentions. I use it a lot when on longer passages

 

[PaulRainbow]

And Garmin, as you mentioned earlier.

Thanks, post edited accordingly.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The big advantage is that with the name of the vessel of interest displayed you can call it by name - call sign and check its intentions. I use it a lot when on longer passages

Connected how i described above, you just touch the vessel "target" on screen, you then see all of her details (same as with your current setup), you will also have an option to call her via DSC. You touch that, select a channel and touch the call button. A DSC call alarm will sound on the ships bridge and when they answer it changes to the channel you selected.

It's about the easiest and most useful feature i've found for DSC, next to the red button of course.

 

[Sea Devil]

Thanks for that... I now understand how it will work.

in the past I would call on 16 then move ... Never found a use for DSC and I am not certain that big ships do either... out at sea they seem to call each other on 16 to discuss intentions.l

I will follow your advice and get a one brand package

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for that... I now understand how it will work.

in the past I would call on 16 then move ... Never found a use for DSC and I am not certain that big ships do either... out at sea they seem to call each other on 16 to discuss intentions.l

I will follow your advice and get a one brand package

This is the first really useful thing i've found, that isn't an absolute faff to use. DSC could have been useful, but it's too much hassle to do anything as a rule.

 

[prv]

As far as i know, Simrad/B&G and Garmin are the only manufacturers who support initiating a DSC call from the plotter, to an identified target. To do that the plotter and VHF must be the same brand, be connected via NMEA 2000 and obviously support the feature.

There’s a standard nmea0183 sentence for doing this, so the devices shouldn’t need to be the same brand nor connected by n2k. Of course, not all VHFs might support that sentence; I believe Vesper maintain a list of those known to do so because their Watchmate AISes can output it.

Pete

 

[Sea-Fever]

There’s a standard nmea0183 sentence for doing this, so the devices shouldn’t need to be the same brand nor connected by n2k. Of course, not all VHFs might support that sentence; I believe Vesper maintain a list of those known to do so because their Watchmate AISes can output it.

Pete

Got a link to that Pete? Can't see it on their site and would be good to know if my vhf has that functionality.

 

[PaulRainbow]

There’s a standard nmea0183 sentence for doing this, so the devices shouldn’t need to be the same brand nor connected by n2k. Of course, not all VHFs might support that sentence; I believe Vesper maintain a list of those known to do so because their Watchmate AISes can output it.

Pete

You'd need a plotter that sent the sentence, connected to a VHF that responded to it. I'm not aware of any workable combination, but am all ears if you know of some.

The Garmin and Sinrad/B&G plotters will only output the PGNs for initiating a DSC call using N2K.

Some VHF sets did respond to the 0183 sentence from the Watchmate, but i don't know of an MFD that sends the correct sentence over 0183.

You have a link to the Vesper list Pete ?