AIS System - Where to Start?

[slawosz]

On eBay there is Onwa KP39A chart plotter for 500 quid. It has both ais transmiter and receiver. It will be my choice when I will be ready to go further away. It’s little known company but I heard lot of good opinions about them.

 

[Roberto]

On the whole, it works very well.

you said it all

 

[Jonny A]

Thank you all again for the responses. For those of you pointing out I don't understand AIS: you're right! That's why I posted this thread. The problem I have is that I can read an article about AIS in general, and then look at AIS products for sale, but I'm finding it extremely difficult to work out exactly where each product fits into the system: to some extend the sales blurb assumes you already understand that.

Anyway, to turn the problem around slightly: Assume I want a way to receive AIS signals and see their location relative to mine, what's a good piece of equipment to use? I know a couple of products have been suggested but I'm wary of buying very cheap electronics. Been bitten before! Please also note I definitely don't want to be linking up to a laptop or tablet, I'd like an all-in-one unit. Thanks.

 

[Bobc]

Thank you all again for the responses. For those of you pointing out I don't understand AIS: you're right! That's why I posted this thread. The problem I have is that I can read an article about AIS in general, and then look at AIS products for sale, but I'm finding it extremely difficult to work out exactly where each product fits into the system: to some extend the sales blurb assumes you already understand that.

Anyway, to turn the problem around slightly: Assume I want a way to receive AIS signals and see their location relative to mine, what's a good piece of equipment to use? I know a couple of products have been suggested but I'm wary of buying very cheap electronics. Been bitten before! Please also note I definitely don't want to be linking up to a laptop or tablet, I'd like an all-in-one unit. Thanks.

Matsutec hp33A or hp528A.

If you just want AIS data and location, the 33A is the job. The 528A is more expensive but also has chartplotter facilities.

Video showing how the 528A works here

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

Perhaps also worth considering a combined VHF/receiver/transmitter/display for ease of set up.

Pricier than the other options though.

 

[fredrussell]

I know a couple of products have been suggested but I'm wary of buying very cheap electronics. Been bitten before! Please also note I definitely don't want to be linking up to a laptop or tablet, I'd like an all-in-one unit. Thanks.

if you want an all-in-one unit, you’ll have to choose between cheap Chinese stuff (Onwa, Matsutec,etc), the Nasa unit already mentioned, or go for a ais-receive VHF. To the best of my knowledge, none of the namebrands make an all in one unit. Others will know for sure though.

 

[slawosz]

Would be good if you write your budget. I did some research on Onwa and I know that lot of sailors in Poland are using it with success. I am going to buy this one, but I understand the fear that comes with 'cheap', not know brand. I just believe it is the same fear that was with Korean cars I wouldn't be surprised if Onwa is using the same electronics that 'top' brands.

Although, if you are a DIY person there is the possibility to go with Raspberry PI:

 

[Jonny A]

I'd probably be willing to spend around £1000+ if I could find a known brand combined chartplotter and AIS transponder - but they don't seem to make them! Does anyone know why?

 

[doug748]

Thank you all again for the responses. For those of you pointing out I don't understand AIS: you're right! That's why I posted this thread. The problem I have is that I can read an article about AIS in general, and then look at AIS products for sale, but I'm finding it extremely difficult to work out exactly where each product fits into the system: to some extend the sales blurb assumes you already understand that.

Anyway, to turn the problem around slightly: Assume I want a way to receive AIS signals and see their location relative to mine, what's a good piece of equipment to use? I know a couple of products have been suggested but I'm wary of buying very cheap electronics. Been bitten before! Please also note I definitely don't want to be linking up to a laptop or tablet, I'd like an all-in-one unit. Thanks.

I think your approach is wise.

Unless you have a lot of money to spend (£1000 ish) you have to discount an integrated VHF, the stand alone Icom MA-510TR and Vesper Watchmate Vision 2. As you imply updating your chart plotter may not be attractive at this stage.

So you are left with the Matsutec and the NASA. The Matsutec looks very good but in the present climate ordering one may seem problematic . The readily available NASA is about £300. This has to be one of the longest running electronic designs having been around, fundamentally unchanged, for about 15 years. This does mean that you may be able to pick up a good used one quite cheaply.
They are easy to use and seem very reliable, all they need is an aerial input (I would put one on the pushpit) + position feed from your plotter/GPS. Their electrical draw is minimal.

One other unit worth mentioning is the (discontinued) Vesper Watchmate 850 which does all you want, with knobs on:




Might be worth looking out for used but even then you might expect to pay £400 +. They , send and receive, draw little power and have a predictive screen which projects problem targets as passing ahead or astern. This is a very, very useful thing when shorthanded and (AFAIK) does not exist in any other unit of this type.


.

 

[Jonny A]

Thanks Doug, I'll look into those options.

I forgot to mention, I already have a VHF with DSC, not very old so I'm reluctant to replace it with one that includes AIS. The fact you can buy VHF/AIS but not chartplotter/AIS seems almost wilfully strange!

 

[doug748]

I'd probably be willing to spend around £1000+ if I could find a known brand combined chartplotter and AIS transponder - but they don't seem to make them! Does anyone know why?

I had not read this before concocting post 29.

For integrated plotters / AIS look at Onwa:

GPS Plotter with AIS Archives - ONWA Marine Electronics Co. Ltd.

Not a big brand but seems to be an established UK importer with stock and back up available. There have been some favourable comments on here though, as with many things, their units are probably rebadged.

.

 

[TSB240]

Would be good if you write your budget. I did some research on Onwa and I know that lot of sailors in Poland are using it with success. I am going to buy this one, but I understand the fear that comes with 'cheap', not know brand. I just believe it is the same fear that was with Korean cars I wouldn't be surprised if Onwa is using the same electronics that 'top' brands.

Although, if you are a DIY person there is the possibility to go with Raspberry PI:

I think you do a little more research you will find the Onwa product is made in the same factory as Matsutec. They are externally identical apart from branding. I would guess they use common electronics as I can't spot any differences in the technical specifications.

 

[pandos]

I think your approach is wise.

Unless you have a lot of money to spend (£1000 ish) you have to discount an integrated VHF, the stand alone Icom MA-510TR and Vesper Watchmate Vision 2. As you imply updating your chart plotter may not be attractive at this stage.

So you are left with the Matsutec and the NASA. The Matsutec looks very good but in the present climate ordering one may seem problematic . The readily available NASA is about £300. This has to be one of the longest running electronic designs having been around, fundamentally unchanged, for about 15 years. This does mean that you may be able to pick up a good used one quite cheaply.
They are easy to use and seem very reliable, all they need is an aerial input (I would put one on the pushpit) + position feed from your plotter/GPS. Their electrical draw is minimal.

One other unit worth mentioning is the (discontinued) Vesper Watchmate 850 which does all you want, with knobs on:

View attachment 131918


Might be worth looking out for used but even then you might expect to pay £400 +. They , send and receive, draw little power and have a predictive screen which projects problem targets as passing ahead or astern. This is a very, very useful thing when shorthanded and (AFAIK) does not exist in any other unit of this type.


.

I have an older version (black and white) of the ICOM, and a Yakker which gives me the all in one transponder/receiver with a small but useful screen, and the Ais info over wifi sent to Navionics which runs on a 100quid 10inch Android radio... And also on whatever I have on my tablet or phone.

With a separate Ais antenna the core system is pretty simple and robust,

 

[Tranona]

Thanks Doug, I'll look into those options.

I forgot to mention, I already have a VHF with DSC, not very old so I'm reluctant to replace it with one that includes AIS. The fact you can buy VHF/AIS but not chartplotter/AIS seems almost wilfully strange!

A VHF with AIS is not a useful product for what you want as it only has a tiny display and are receive only.

The options have already been given - the only "all in one" units are the Chinese ONWA and Matsutec. all the other brands of chart plotters are MFDs that rely on an AIS signal coming from a free standing receiver. If you do not have a plotter already then apart from the Chinese ones, the alternative is the NASA unit which is a good freestanding receiver with a clear display.

Starting from where you are unless you are getting a chart plotter that will take an AIS feed or are prepared to buy a Chinese import the only sensible choice is the NASA. If you want a mainstream brand plotter then a Garmin Echomap 75 and a Quark AIS is the cheapest and easiest way of achieving this. However this is £1000 (I have just bought this setup) compared with around £300.

 

[Hermit]

There is the em-trak B400. It has a screen and can take a SD card for charts but no real chartplotter capability other then looking at charts with AIS overlay.

B400 Class B AIS Transceiver - Work Boats, Fishing, Emergency Services I em-trak


oh - and is right at the top of your budget. You could get some seperate systems and build it up much cheaper.

 

[tillergirl]

I have used Onwa for several years, using a Kcombo 7A which is a combined chart plotter, depth and AIS. You can view the AIS screen which shows the relative location and distance of all signals or see their locations on the chart. I am so pleased with the quality I have changed to a brand new MFD 12" (which is obviously more expensive). The Kcombo can use C-Map Max or Navionics. All you need for the AIS is an antenna. Avesmarine are the UK dealers and are very helpful.

 

[st599]

If you buy a transceiver, it should have GPS built in.

(There are a number of timed transmission slots, the transmitter randomly chooses one, listens and if it receives nothing transmits. To do that requires GPS level timing, better than what you get over an NMEA connection)

The transceiver or receiver should output NMEA sentences with the targets in. This will need either a built in display, or chartplotter to show.

You can get an NMEA to WiFi bridge and use a chartplotter on a tablet. OpenCPN is quite a good Open Source one, which can be extended with new software modules. Runs on any PC, Raspberry Pi, Android... OpenCPN Official Site and has charts avaialble for UK and nearby coasts for £30p.a. o-charts | Charts for OpenCPN

Other options would be to get a chartplotter and use RS422/Canbus cabling from the transceiver/reeiver to the chartplotter. You need to make sure the electrical interfaces of the AIS and Chartplotter match.

 

[Tranona]

If you buy a transceiver, it should have GPS built in.

(There are a number of timed transmission slots, the transmitter randomly chooses one, listens and if it receives nothing transmits. To do that requires GPS level timing, better than what you get over an NMEA connection)

The transceiver or receiver should output NMEA sentences with the targets in. This will need either a built in display, or chartplotter to show.

You can get an NMEA to WiFi bridge and use a chartplotter on a tablet. OpenCPN is quite a good Open Source one, which can be extended with new software modules. Runs on any PC, Raspberry Pi, Android... OpenCPN Official Site and has charts avaialble for UK and nearby coasts for £30p.a. o-charts | Charts for OpenCPN

Other options would be to get a chartplotter and use RS422/Canbus cabling from the transceiver/reeiver to the chartplotter. You need to make sure the electrical interfaces of the AIS and Chartplotter match.

The OP has already said he does not want to go down the computer/tablet route. If he did the cheapest and easiest way is the Quark receiver and wi fl to a tablet. I have this as well as an 0183 connection to the Garmin (the only plotter that still has that AFAIK). Quark plus antenna, dongle, power supply and tablet with chart plotting software is similar price to a NASA receiver, £300+

 

[slawosz]

I have used Onwa for several years, using a Kcombo 7A which is a combined chart plotter, depth and AIS. You can view the AIS screen which shows the relative location and distance of all signals or see their locations on the chart. I am so pleased with the quality I have changed to a brand new MFD 12" (which is obviously more expensive). The Kcombo can use C-Map Max or Navionics. All you need for the AIS is an antenna. Avesmarine are the UK dealers and are very helpful.

Great recommendation, thanks!

 

[morgandlm]

Here's another vote for the NASA AIS. I use it on my Sadler 26. It picks up GPS data from a small GPS puck that also feeds my DSC radio. The NASA AIS shows your own Lat and Long clearly and plots those vessels transmitting AIS. It's great for crossing shipping lanes and was also good once when in unexpected fog. Cheap, cheerful, uses very little power and is fit for purpose. I wish I had a nice big chart plotter with AIS overlay etc - simply not justified for my sort of sailing. I also wish I had a Halberg-Rassy.
David Morgan