AIS System - Where to Start?

[Jonny A]

Thanks once again to everyone who is contributing. I feel I'm starting to get down to two options, based on what I feel I want to spend: the NASA unit as the low-cost option (although I'm aware this is a dead-end as far as future upgrades go), or something like the Em-trak B921 AIS transceiver from F&C Marine and a Raymarine Element 7S chartplotter combination suggested above if I'm feeling flush. Going to mull it over for a while.

 

[mil1194]

Apologies if I’ve missed something but the ICOM MA-510TR and the M510E seem to perform all of the AIS bits for you - whilst having a seemingly superb radio. There is no chart plotter and it is slightly over the £1000 budget.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Apologies if I’ve missed something but the ICOM MA-510TR and the M510E seem to perform all of the AIS bits for you - whilst having a seemingly superb radio. There is no chart plotter and it is slightly over the £1000 budget.

OP says that he already has a DSC VHF radio. I think adding AIS targets on top of a full chart display is beneficial compared to a blank NASA-esque display showing just the targets but nothing else - especially when there's land or other solid stuff around. Doesn't make much difference out to sea.

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

AIS doesn't use a transponder. A transponder replies to an interrogation, AIS sends constantly.

You're right of course, but that's what they've been calling them.

 

[Jonny A]

Apologies if I’ve missed something but the ICOM MA-510TR and the M510E seem to perform all of the AIS bits for you - whilst having a seemingly superb radio. There is no chart plotter and it is slightly over the £1000 budget.

For that budget I'd want to have the AIS positions visible on a chartplotter. As Angus mentioned I already have a DSC radio so I'd be spending quite a lot of £££ just to get AIS positions but not on my plotter. But thanks anyway for the suggestion.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I think adding AIS targets on top of a full chart display is beneficial compared to a blank NASA-esque display showing just the targets but nothing else - especially when there's land or other solid stuff around. Doesn't make much difference out to sea.

Yes very much so if you have the space available in the cockpit. I overlay mine on my iPad now but made do with cross-referencing on my trip to the med.

 

[steveeasy]

I spent some time thinking the best way to go and decided stand alone was the easiest way to go. Watchmate 8000. all in one unit. of course you can link to ipad and iphones and overlay on chartplotter too. But in its most simple format its there on its own screen.

Steveeasy

 

[Jonny A]

Update: I just ordered a handheld VHF that includes AIS: IC-M94DE : Handheld Marine VHF Radio - Icom UK

This seems to be the cheapest way to get basic AIS without have to spend a fortune replacing or upgrading the rest of my electronics.

 

[mil1194]

Update: I just ordered a handheld VHF that includes AIS: IC-M94DE : Handheld Marine VHF Radio - Icom UK

This seems to be the cheapest way to get basic AIS without have to spend a fortune replacing or upgrading the rest of my electronics.

I have one of the those radios - it’s excellent. The only snag I found with it is that it has to be in a cradle to charge and when my cradle and charger was stolen it was a bit of an ache to order another one but ICOM customer services was excellent.

 

[dansaskip]

I really don't know why Vesper Marin discontinued their Watchmate 850. Ive had one for a number of years (still have) and it is a brilliant piece of kit, self contained with own display, lower power consumption, configurable with regards to alarms , a good back up for GPS, acts a a good anchor alarm . It does all you want. I used mine without a chart plotter or other display . Anyway Vespa Marine kit is very good, they still do AIS stuff of course worth a look at. I used to "do cheap" but later realised it is worth paying that bit extra for quality kit.

 

[TSB240]

I think you have wasted your money.

If you have bought this for collision avoidance your mk1 eyeballs and earholes are probably as useful.

If it is water proof at least you can call the ship that has just run you down.

What range do you think it will reliably pick up other ais transmitting craft?

 

[Bilgediver]

I'm bound to be shot down for this - AIS uses a receiver and a transmitter not a transponder.

Unfortunately some Dumb Cluck called these things transponders at day1 and was not corrected and now the term has stuck . Can't shoot you down as much as I might like as 99% of others mistakenly refer to them as transponders without realising they are not actually a transponder. We do have transponders on some boats and these are devices which when hit by a radar signal alter the return signal which then shows up on the display transmitting the radar signal

 

[PaulRainbow]

Unfortunately some Dumb Cluck called these things transponders at day1 and was not corrected and now the term has stuck . Can't shoot you down as much as I might like as 99% of others mistakenly refer to them as transponders without realising they are not actually a transponder. We do have transponders on some boats and these are devices which when hit by a radar signal alter the return signal which then shows up on the display transmitting the radar signal

Raymarine got it right AIS700 - Class B AIS Transceiver with Antenna Splitter | Raymarine - A Brand by FLIR

as did Garmin AIS 800 | Blackbox Transceiver | GARMIN

Emtrak mostly get it right AIS Selector Vessel – day sailing - em-trak

Digital Yacht and Comar still refer to them as transponders.

I image they still work, no matter what we call them though.

 

[Jonny A]

I think you have wasted your money.

If you have bought this for collision avoidance your mk1 eyeballs and earholes are probably as useful.

If it is water proof at least you can call the ship that has just run you down.

What range do you think it will reliably pick up other ais transmitting craft?

I realise the range will probably be low, and will see if I can sort out some sort of aerial extender. But if it gets foggy, my Mk I eyeballs will certainly be a lot worse.

 

[GHA]

I realise the range will probably be low, and will see if I can sort out some sort of aerial extender. But if it gets foggy, my Mk I eyeballs will certainly be a lot worse.

Ais range constantly changes anyway, very difficult to get a "true" number. in general imho better to look round the web to get some real world info , ytube usually is worth a look
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ic-m94de+review

 

[Bilgediver]

I image they still work, no matter what we call them though.

Perhaps one day they will all agree .

ais transponder - Google Search

 

[GHA]

Unfortunately some Dumb Cluck called these things transponders at day1 and was not corrected and now the term has stuck . Can't shoot you down as much as I might like as 99% of others mistakenly refer to them as transponders without realising they are not actually a transponder.

SO when one AIS machine polls another AIS & it then responds to that message, that's not a transponder?

 

[PaulRainbow]

SO when one AIS machine polls another AIS & it then responds to that message, that's not a transponder?

Responds how ?

 

[GHA]

Responds how ?

Transmits data that was requested by the polling station. Message 19.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Transmits data that was requested by the polling station. Message 19.

Is that how class B AIS works ? My AIS has to request data, it doesn't just receive it automatically ?