AIS with loud alarm

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Mike Bryon

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Hi, can anyone recommend an AIS with a very loud contact alarm? Want one to use independently of current set up when offshore that will wake or alert everyone of a contact. Prefer it to be passive only. The alarm on my current system is turned up to max but is still way too soft and anyway is integrated into too many other amp hungry bits of kit. Thanks in anticipation.
 
My Vesper Watchmate is loud and you can adjust the volume and the closest approach distance at which an alarm sounds. It is also self contained so independent of wifi/bluetooth.
 
Should you need a VHF too, the Standard Horizon gx2100 (old model, suppose 2200 etc work similarly) integrated VHF and AIS RX has an AIS alarm which can wake up dead people, similar to the DSC one. I keep it permanently on when offshore, I keep the plotter switched off and only switch it on for more detail when there are crossings which remain uncertain on the tiny VHF screen, which is not that often with single ships offshore.
 
The system is B&G vulcan 9 plotter, triton instruments and Halo radar. The problem with an external alarm is that the ais works when the whole set up is powered. I've settled on the idea of having a standalone ais system with a loud alarm for use only when offshore. Roberto's reply lead me to the icom ic-m94c a handheld vhf with ais. I'm hoping to get a demo of one at the boat show. Thanks all for the replies so far.
 
Reading Tapio Lehtinen's book about the sinking of his 'Asteria' in the Southern Ocean, it is quite clear that he needed a MUCH LOUDER alarm on his AIS. On several occasions he slept through warnings.
 
Roberto said:
Or you can use those radio ''baby-phones'', one terminal near the equipment and one near you ears; some of them also have visual flashes, and possibly fireworks :)
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I like this practical idea.

Take a normal piece of equipment and improve it with another cheap and simple piece of equipment.

Hopefully cheaper than replacing original equipment.
 
Mike Bryon said:
Hi, can anyone recommend an AIS with a very loud contact alarm? Want one to use independently of current set up when offshore that will wake or alert everyone of a contact. Prefer it to be passive only. The alarm on my current system is turned up to max but is still way too soft and anyway is integrated into too many other amp hungry bits of kit. Thanks in anticipation.
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Without sounding disrespectful, can I ask why you need such an alarm? Surely the Mk 1 eyeball of the person on WATCH should suffice to try to make contact with the other target or take avoiding action.
 
Disrespectful? I want a backup for occasions when the watch fail to alert me to a close contact. No matter now often you remind them some will omit to look under the headsail or behind them. Or they will become so preoccupied watching the fishing boat they don't notice the bulk carrier closing. Or they tell you I didn't want to disturb your sleep even through you said I should... And so on.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I've just bought at the Boat Show an ICOM MA-510TR Class B AIS Transponder with a SP24E external speaker. So should be even louder than Baggy's.
 
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