Changing AIS transmitted information.

SpottyDog5

SpottyDog5

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I have an inpending channel crossing in my Rib and quite fancy fitting an AIS.
I have a AIS transponder in my other boat, I thought I could "borrow it", but of course it transmits the mothership info.
Is there a way I can change this transmission? (I want to change it anyway, as I've renamed the boat)
Is it the unit that transmits the info? or does it send a signal to a third party that then transmits the info?

Thanks in advance
 
You "might" be able to change the info broadcast by the unit. If you can, it will prob need a laptop and a connection cable. You will also need a VHF Aerial (or poss a splitter) to connect it to. It will also need gps info from your plotter.

Not a quick or easy job, I'm afraid. :(
 
Due to Septic paranoia about terrorists, you can only change the MMSI number once without having to resort to sending the unit back to the manufacturer for re-programming.
 
Typically you will be able to change most details apart from one: the MMSI number as this follows the same regime as with DSC-VHF sets. If your set is a "black-box" solution you need to figure out the making as it probably will need specific software for configuration. You may be able to use a generic terminal program. As Pinnacle suggests, a laptop and (potentially special) cable are in the mix as well.
 
Pinnacle said:
You "might" be able to change the info broadcast by the unit. If you can, it will prob need a laptop and a connection cable. You will also need a VHF Aerial (or poss a splitter) to connect it to. It will also need gps info from your plotter.

Not a quick or easy job, I'm afraid. :(
Click to expand...
I've downloaded the manual (on the unit I may have), I think you are quite correct, I've got a spare VHF, a nmea 2000 network, but 0183 might be easier.
I've got my laptop and usb lead, just seems I need the configuration software,looking for that next.
 
It's all pretty academic getting the software, as has been previously pointed out, you will not be able to change the MMSI evn using AIS pro2, it is for initial setting up ofnew transceivers and alteration of non MMSI details only and once the MMSI is in your unit it is a return to manufacturer (twice in your case) to have it deleted. You are not even allowed to enter the initial setup in the US, even that must be done by a registered source, usually the manufacturers dealer.
 
Why? -- RIB, I assume big and fast for a channel crossing. You don't need to be particularly visible to anything else, as long as you are not going to set the autopilot and go to sleep :) If you want your loved ones to see where you are you can do that with your phone.
 
Hadenough said:
Why? -- RIB, I assume big and fast for a channel crossing. You don't need to be particularly visible to anything else, as long as you are not going to set the autopilot and go to sleep :) If you want your loved ones to see where you are you can do that with your phone.
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It was just a thought, I found it really useful on my last trip over, also helped relieve the boredom, however I was was on a much slower boat then.
Only thinking of using the transponder as I already own it, fast losing interest now as it seems a bit too much of a faff....
 
SpottyDog5 said:
It was just a thought, I found it really useful on my last trip over, also helped relieve the boredom, however I was was on a much slower boat then.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it's really a receiver you want, rather than a transmitter. Digital Yacht ANT200 is about £200, waterproof and includes the aerial. Assuming you have a plotter already, connect up four wires (two power, two NMEA) and job done.

Pete
 
prv said:
Sounds like it's really a receiver you want, rather than a transmitter. Digital Yacht ANT200 is about £200, waterproof and includes the aerial. Assuming you have a plotter already, connect up four wires (two power, two NMEA) and job done.

Pete
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Pete, you are quite right, its just I already have the transponder.
I going over to Spotty at the weekend, to have a look.
On the Rib, I already have 9" plotter and a spare VHF aerial cabled up to the consul.
So if its simple, it will go in.
 
SpottyDog5 said:
On the Rib, I already have 9" plotter and a spare VHF aerial cabled up to the consul.
So if its simple, it will go in.
Click to expand...

Ah - in that case the ANT200 is not what you want - it includes the aerial and is designed to be mounted outside:

antenne-recepteur-ais-digital-yacht-ant200.jpg


We had one stuck on Kindred Spirit's coachroof just aft of the mast.

Since you have the aerial already and an enclosed place to put it, any old AIS engine should do (except the NASA ones, as they're still using ancient single-channel technology). Cactus have the AIS100 for £130, for example.

Pete
 
Hadenough said:
If you want your loved ones to see where you are you can do that with your phone.
Click to expand...

Depends where you are crossing - not too many cell towers mid channel yet.

Have to say that I am surprised none of the offshore wind farms have been utilized yet. Wouldn't think it would be too difficult to lay an extra few cables during construction or set up microwave links.

W.
 
PilotWolf said:
Have to say that I am surprised none of the offshore wind farms have been utilized yet. Wouldn't think it would be too difficult to lay an extra few cables during construction or set up microwave links.
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Nobody lives at sea (at least, not in a house with a postcode) so it won't push up their "percentage of the population covered" figures, so why bother?

Pete
 
prv said:
Since you have the aerial already and an enclosed place to put it, any old AIS engine should do (except the NASA ones, as they're still using ancient single-channel technology). Cactus have the AIS100 for £130, for example.

Pete
Click to expand...

Not sure why you think the NASA AIS engines are single channel.. They have been A/B since the AIS Engine II.
http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=ais_engine

Unfortunately, although good value, they are not waterproof.
 
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I will agree with others though in that only an Rx engine is needed, that you will not be able to change the MMSI in your existing unit and that an external GPS unit will not be needed. A transponder shall have the GPS Rx built in although will need the external GPS antenna.
 
Martin_J said:
Not sure why you think the NASA AIS engines are single channel.. They have been A/B since the AIS Engine II.
http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=ais_engine
Click to expand...

It says "The unit can receive ships on either the A or B AIS channels. In default setting it alternates between the two channels." That's a single-channel receiver, and I thought (perhaps mistakenly) that real units had two-channel receivers that monitored both at once.

Pete
 
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