AIS Transponder + VHF choice.

[Shibumi]

Hi Folks,

I need to fit both an AIS transponder and a VHF in the next week or two.

The transponders (as opposed to receivers) seem to come down to either 'black box' type as per Digital Yacht or the new(ish) MA-500TR from Icom with both a viewing screen and the option for external (cockpit) mounting.

With that in mind I'm tending towards the Icom MA-500 coupled with the Icom M603 VHF on the basis that it would give;

1. AIS at both the helm and the chart table (the Icom has a PC out connection).
2. VHF linked to the AIS for direct calling.
3. VHF at the chart table and again at the helm via command mike.

That seems to me to provide a decent set-up giving both AIS and VHF at both stations but I'm only going from manufacturers brochures rather than a detailed knowledge.

Before I take the plunge has anyone got any further opinions to be taken into consideration / anything I've not thought about?

Cheers,

Steve

 

[jon]

Look also at the Garmin VHF 300 AIS. I have just installed their 300 AIS unit without the VHF and impressed so far. I chose it, after much research, for the good VHF splitter which utilises the existing aerial with no noticeable loss of reception on the VHF. Links well with the laptop running Memory Map (US version)

 

[Twister_Ken]

Look also at the Garmin VHF 300 AIS. I have just installed their 300 AIS unit without the VHF and impressed so far. I chose it, after much research, for the good VHF splitter which utilises the existing aerial with no noticeable loss of reception on the VHF. Links well with the laptop running Memory Map (US version)

Garmin AIS will also link to Garmin VHF enabling you to do clever stuff like autocall an MMSI number that is showing on the AIS screen. Should you ever want to, of course, given that from the AIS you'll already know the vessel name.

 

[Shibumi]

Thanks chaps, I'll look up the Garmin this morning (I hadn't considered them).

The Icom will do the same auto link Ken according to the sales blurb but it may need a cable? (it was pre-release info).

 

[Boreades]

IIRC, the Digital Yacht hardware is similar to the Comar hardware

http://www.comarsystems.com/ast_100.html

http://www.yachtbits.com/comar_systems/comar_ast200_ais_transponder_antenna_splitter.php

MEL seem to have all the makes on offer
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/products-ais-c-133_93.html

 

[Shibumi]

Ah, just had a look at the Garmin 300 but unfortunately it's only a 'receiver' not a 'transceiver' so no go.

The Garmin 600 is a transceiver but it's only a black box and therefore does not give a cockpit display.

Ho hum, looks lie the Icom MA500 unless anyone knows different.

Steve

 

[Twister_Ken]

Do you really need to transmit (see past threads)?

 

[Shibumi]

IIRC, the Digital Yacht hardware is similar to the Comar hardware

http://www.comarsystems.com/ast_100.html

http://www.yachtbits.com/comar_systems/comar_ast200_ais_transponder_antenna_splitter.php

MEL seem to have all the makes on offer
http://www.mesltd.co.uk/products-ais-c-133_93.html

Yep thanks for that Boreads but it seems to confirm that most units are 'black box' i.e. need an external screen which would need to be waterproof for use at the helm.
I'm thinking that it makes sense to get the waterproof AIS unit and send the signal into the dry area rather than the other way round - seems like there is a limited choice in that regard however.

 

[Shibumi]

Do you really need to transmit (see past threads)?

Yes, I've read the threads Ken and decided it would be better to transmit

 

[pvb]

If you must have a Class B transceiver, have you considered the Simrad A150? It's waterproof, has a 4" VGA colour display and a built-in coastline map, so the display looks more like a plotter. Brochure here.

 

[Shibumi]

If you must have a Class B transceiver, have you considered the Simrad A150? It's waterproof, has a 4" VGA colour display and a built-in coastline map, so the display looks more like a plotter. Brochure here.

Thanks PVB - Two in the frame now!

 

[multihullsailor6]

Have the Simrad AI50, put the Simrad aerial on the second spreader and am very happy with the set. Good reception.
Only drawback - and maybe it's an operator problem? - is when you receive a collision warning (very loud beeps) you can acknowledge and the noise stops for a short while (say 1 min) then the collision warning comes on again! Only way I have figured out is to turn the set off until the risk has gone away!

 

[Shibumi]

Have the Simrad AI50, put the Simrad aerial on the second spreader and am very happy with the set. Good reception.
Only drawback - and maybe it's an operator problem? - is when you receive a collision warning (very loud beeps) you can acknowledge and the noise stops for a short while (say 1 min) then the collision warning comes on again! Only way I have figured out is to turn the set off until the risk has gone away!

Rodger - Does the Simrad give you the option to select the collision warning (danger zone) range?

 

[aluijten]

Currently in the process of installing a Icom M505 with the Icom AIS tranceiver.
Although they do work together, be advised that the VHF will most likely need a software upgrade to play along. Also I'm trying to find out if the Icom transceiver offers a "TX-off" mode if you don't want your position to be known (for whaterver reason: raceing, fishing, pirates, etc.). From the manual it seems the clever guys from Icom did not think of that.

 

[Shibumi]

Currently in the process of installing a Icom M505 with the Icom AIS tranceiver.
Although they do work together, be advised that the VHF will most likely need a software upgrade to play along. Also I'm trying to find out if the Icom transceiver offers a "TX-off" mode if you don't want your position to be known (for whaterver reason: raceing, fishing, pirates, etc.). From the manual it seems the clever guys from Icom did not think of that.

Yep, that's the two questions I had for them.

 

[pvb]

Rodger - Does the Simrad give you the option to select the collision warning (danger zone) range?

You can download the user manual here.

 

[bbg]

consider also the Vesper Watchmate

 

[pvb]

consider also the Vesper Watchmate

Does the Watchmate interface with a VHF for direct calling? I didn't think it did.

 

[bbg]

Does the Watchmate interface with a VHF for direct calling? I didn't think it did.

I'm not sure. Not as far as I am aware, but it does have an NMEA output so it can be used as a backup GPS.

If I were starting from scratch on my boat, I would probably choose an ICOM AIS VHF with a second control mike in the cockpit, and an ICOM 500 AIS screen in the cockpit with its own dedicated antenna on the pushpit.

With this setup I could get long distance AIS information via the VHF (and masthead antenna), shorter range AIS information on the screen, and I would have a built-in emergency antenna in case the mast fell in the water (just unplug from the AIS unit and plug it into the VHF).

The only downside I have heard about the ICOM unit is that it has in external (and a bit large) GPS antenna. The Watchmate's antenna is internal.

 

[aluijten]

The only downside I have heard about the ICOM unit is that it has in external (and a bit large) GPS antenna.

Bit expensive is more like it. The base unit in Holland is 750 Euro, the GPS antenna another 250 Euro