B&G V100-B VHF/AIS vs B&G V100 VHF + separate AIS transponder

[KompetentKrew]

Hello,

My boat came fitted with an ancient Shipmate VHF radio, which I've never quite trusted. It has certainly worked on occasion, but I have always meant to replace it with something newer in which I can have more confidence.

Since B&G announced their new V100 VHF-B, I've rather had my heart set on it, as the handset will fit perfectly in the custom-built handset box in my boat's companionway, and I've always thought it made sense to have VHF and AIS in a single unit. I've always wanted an AIS transponder, and my chartplotter is B&G, so it should be well integrated for DSC calling etc.

However, the shortcoming of the V100-B is that is has no internal antenna splitter - the built in AIS transponder requires a separate VHF aerial. I planned to put this on the pushpit, but another recent thread on here caused me to worry about the range I'd get from this low mounting position.

Alternatively, I could buy the B&G V100, which is the base/companion model of the V100-B without AIS, and fit an AIS transponder separately.

The obvious choice for separate AIS would be from the em-track range, as many of these have a built in antenna splitter, and this would also allow me to squander even more money on extra features such as 5W SOTDMA and bluetooth/wifi. I don't really need these features or care about them (I suspect that 5W SOTDMA makes no difference outside areas of heavy shipping, for example), but I might as well add them since I'm already spending so much money. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Having done the sums the price difference isn't significant (the V100 and base model em-trac B923 might even be cheaper than the V100-B) so does anyone have any recommendations when it comes to singe unit vs separate, please?

Is 5W SOTDMA a more beneficial upgrade than I think?

I guess having the VHF and AIS in separate units offers some redundancy if / when one of them fails.

Are there any disadvantages to using an antenna splitter as opposed to having two antennas?

Thanks very much for any thoughts.

 

[Daverw]

I’ve never had any issue with separate antenna on rear radar arch, range a good as needed about 10nm, splitters add loss / cost and you will read of many issues people have with them. I would suggest that you don’t get too hung up on it, I’ve got separate units as we wanted a radio with remote mic and the separate AIS also included nmea0183 to 2k multiplex which at the time was needed, the entrac gets good reviews.
also to add the separate antenna can be used as emergency antenna if ever needed

 

[jwilson]

I had a B&G V50 which is a VHF AIS (receive-only) combo. This winter I fitted an Emtrak 5W AIS transceiver which has a built-in splitter so uses the masthead aerial. Only tested it so far with the boat ashore, but it seems to work well.

I did look at the very expensive B&G and other makes all in one VHF/AIS transceivers but they were a bit (a lot) more expensive.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Been using a Camino AIS with built in splitter for 4 years with no problems. The one thing I want from my AIS is range and antenna height gives you that.