AIS with integrated splitter?

[GTom]

I am wondering if AIS transceivers with integrated splitter have any drawback? Looking at AMEC's Camino 108S/W, but can't decide between the wifi-integrated and the splitter integrated unit.

 

[Boathook]

I've ordered the raymarine one with integrated splitter. The only downside that I can see is that the ais needs to be powered for the splitter to work and supply the radio. If I don't like this I will have to fit another aerial on the mast. Some suggested an ais aerial on the spreaders or I'm thinking about the mast. I'm not sure though whether the mast will restrict transmitting power.

 

[pvb]

I am wondering if AIS transceivers with integrated splitter have any drawback? Looking at AMEC's Camino 108S/W, but can't decide between the wifi-integrated and the splitter integrated unit.

It makes it marginally easier to fit, but the downside is that you need to replace the whole lot if one bit fails. The em-trak B100 Sailor Package (transceiver and separate splitter) is over £200 cheaper and has an SD card slot for data logging as well as a 3-year global warranty (the Amec only has 1-year warranty).

https://www.fcmarine.co.uk/product/em-trak-sailor-package/

 

[Tim Good]

I've ordered the raymarine one with integrated splitter. The only downside that I can see is that the ais needs to be powered for the splitter to work and supply the radio. If I don't like this I will have to fit another aerial on the mast. Some suggested an ais aerial on the spreaders or I'm thinking about the mast. I'm not sure though whether the mast will restrict transmitting power.

A separate antenna gives you redundancy but means more wiring and extra cost. That said, even if I had two antennas I'd want a splitter, integrated or not, so that if one antenna died, I could move both the VHF and AIS to one easily.

I personally have an integrated splitter in my Weatherdock AIS and I get good range for receiving and transmitting AIS data given the antenna is masthead. I have a spare antenna but its in a box. Perhaps I should mount it on the spreaders and lead the cable back to where I have the AIS and VHF side by side in the cabin.

 

[RichardS]

I am wondering if AIS transceivers with integrated splitter have any drawback? Looking at AMEC's Camino 108S/W, but can't decide between the wifi-integrated and the splitter integrated unit.

I would definitely go for integrated wifi as that increases your installation position options and also your cable-free display options.

I have a separate active splitter but as we always turn on all the instruments when we are underway, then a built-in splitter would presumably work equally well.

Richard

 

[DipperToo]

I have an AMEC splitter and AMEC transceiver and AFAIK if the unit is not powered, then by default the standard VHF radio connection is enabled.

 

[GTom]

Thanks for all the input! Will skip the splitter-integrated one. Especially that in the fineprint it says having about 1dB loss on the splitter (not sure if it's correct though). The wifi function, especially as extender (for harbors, where deep inside the boat the phone might not see the network) is quite useful.

The new B+ (5W power) transmitters caught my eyes too, but they normally sit in a higher price bracket. I see only one use of the increased range for a sailing yacht: in case the boat has to be abandoned but is not sunk, solar powered AIS could make recovery easier.