Cheap AIS

[Geoff A]

Two points.

You do not need lots of high tech integrated kit to go sailing safely and enjoy it.

If you have AIS (and I think it's worth having) then I would definitely aim to transmit and respond, plus be able to view targets and alarms on a screen.

I use a Vesper Watchmate, its not cheap but stands alone and doubles as an anchor alarm/monitor which is very useful to me. It will WiFior NMEA to other systems like a plotter if I choose.

I can integrate everything but don't and only use the functionality I need. Simplicity still has a place!

I agree with your last sentence

 

[dgadee]

That would be bad if you’re collecting suitcases mid channel. For most of us, being seen rather than run down by a Liberian reg container ship is the name of the game.

They probably have Class B switched off on receive.

I had a friend, sadly no longer with us, who used to get so annoyed when I emailed him to ask how his sail was. I had set Marine Traffic to let me know when he left harbour. Given that he was only going out around Belfast Lough I am not sure why he wanted the world to know.

Just look at the Solent now:

 

[billskip]

For most of us, being seen rather than run down by a Liberian reg container ship is the name of the game.

You are only seen if someone is looking...
They need a device to slap the watch keeper of the other ship with pair of wet knickers....

 

[Chiara’s slave]

They probably have Class B switched off on receive.

I had a friend, sadly no longer with us, who used to get so annoyed when I emailed him to ask how his sail was. I had set Marine Traffic to let me know when he left harbour. Given that he was only going out around Belfast Lough I am not sure why he wanted the world to know.

Just look at the Solent now:

View attachment 191988

We don’t turn ours on in the Solent unless it’s dark or foggy. No need for more clutter

 

[Chiara’s slave]

You are only seen if someone is looking...
They need a device to slap the watch keeper of the other ship with pair of wet knickers....

These days I am sure you could automate that. All you need is a regular supply of wet knickers.

 

[dgadee]

These days I am sure you could automate that. All you need is a regular supply of wet knickers.

At last. A proper application for AI.

 

[Alicatt]

Orca uses internet data from Marine Traffic. Using internet AIS for navigation can be very dangerous, as it's often several minutes behind real time and there are lots of dead spots where it doesn't work at all. Relying on overlaid data to predict a vessels future position would be particularly risky.

On our canal there are no internet connected AIS receivers feeding data to Marine Traffic.
At this moment there are 2 vessels within 30km of my boat that are linked by satellite that are shown as moored, and there are 4 vessels in our marina that are transmitting that they are in moored in the harbour but cannot be seen on Marine traffic but were showing up on my AIS, plus a few more, more than 35km from my boat that show up on both Marine Traffic and my AIS.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

At last. A proper application for AI.

Very advanced AI if it can wet the knickers

 

[dgadee]

On our canal there are no internet connected AIS receivers feeding data to Marine Traffic.
At this moment there are 2 vessels within 30km of my boat that are linked by satellite that are shown as moored, and there are 4 vessels in our marina that are transmitting that they are in moored in the harbour but cannot be seen on Marine traffic but were showing up on my AIS, plus a few more, more than 35km from my boat that show up on both Marine Traffic and my AIS.

Marine Traffic relies on data being sent to it. I suppose they don't have a lot of AIS receivers in Birmingham or wherever you are.

 

[Alicatt]

Pretty useful for anyone collecting evidence against you.

That is kind of true, here in Belgium this year the WaterWeg are clamping down on speeders and using AIS is one of the ways that they are doing it, especially with commercial ships, but they are also timing you between locks and like the police using radar, well the water police here are part of the policeforce.

 

[Alicatt]

Marine Traffic relies on data being sent to it. I suppose they don't have a lot of AIS receivers in Birmingham or wherever you are.

We are at Kerkhoven in Belgium, you can see one green dot for a tug that is anchored just NW of Leopoldsburg and another beside Kanaalmeer, The authorities are pushing for all boats to have AIS on them as they want to make the sluis/locks automatic and to traffic plan for better water conservation. It's Sunday, the lock keepers have a day off and they won't start a Sunday service until after 1st May.

 

[Mister E]

As the navigation is done using a London Chartplotters tablet then contacting Steve is probably the best idea to get it added to your tablet or a stand alone system.
He is very good at customer support.

 

[ChromeDome]

I have an ICOM VHF with AIS receiver, but as that might be outside the unknown budget, I did the right thing, on behalf of the OP, and searched the interweb

AIS Receivers

• NASA AIS Engine 3: This is one of the most affordable AIS receivers available, priced around £160–£200. It only receives AIS data and does not transmit your position 16.
• McMurdo M15 AIS Receiver: Another economical choice for receiving AIS data, priced similarly to the NASA model 6.

AIS Transmitters (Class B Transponders)

• Quark-Elec A015-TX: A budget-friendly option at approximately £200. It includes Wi-Fi connectivity, making it suitable for integration with tablets or navigation systems 1.
• Matsutec HA-102: Known as one of the cheapest Class B AIS transponders, priced around £270. This unit transmits your position and is suitable for recreational use 2.
• Onwa KS-200A: Available for around £420, this Class B transponder offers reliable performance at a moderate price point 5.

Affordable All-in-One Units

• Digital Yacht AIT2000: Priced at £571.20, this compact Class B transponder includes an external GPS antenna and offers good performance for its cost 3.
• Em-trak B921: Around £750, this unit is robust and includes dual NMEA outputs but requires a separate VHF splitter or antenna 4.

DIY Options

For those with technical expertise, DIY solutions using Raspberry Pi and SDR dongles can be explored to create a low-cost AIS receiver. However, building an AIS transmitter DIY is not recommended due to strict regulations governing transmission frequencies 2.

For the absolute cheapest solution, AIS receivers are more economical than transponders since they do not require MMSI registration or transmission capabilities.

Citations:

1. Cheap AIS transponder transceiver - Navigation Laptops GPS
2. https://www.reddit.com/r/sailing/comments/pgft8v/cheapest_ais_transmitter_solution
3. AIS Transponders - Digital Yacht
4. AIS Selector Vessel – lowest cost - em-trak
5. Cheap AIS transponder?
6. AIS Archives
7. https://www.force4.co.uk/department/electronics/ais/transponders
8. https://sealutions.co.uk/shop/communication/vhf-ais/ais-transponders-and-receivers
9. https://www.force4.co.uk/department/electronics/ais
10. https://www.ad-nautic.co.uk/electronics/ais/ais-transmitter-receivers.html

 

[dgadee]

That is kind of true, here in Belgium this year the WaterWeg are clamping down on speeders and using AIS is one of the ways that they are doing it, especially with commercial ships, but they are also timing you between locks and like the police using radar, well the water police here are part of the policeforce.

Peel Ports will soon be using it in the Clyde if they get their way.

 

[Tranona]

I have an ICOM VHF with AIS receiver, but as that might be outside the unknown budget, I did the right thing, on behalf of the OP, and searched the interweb

The problem for the OP is that all of those are just receivers or transponders and have no display. They mostly output NMEA 0183 for connection to a plotter/MFD or through a USB to a PC neither of which the OP has. The exception as I suggested is the Quark which has a wi fi output as well which will connect with the tablet he uses for plotting.

At the budget end the combined plotter/AIS from either Onwa or Matsutec is a sensible solution although it would mean discarding his current system or just using that as a secondary backup.

 

[Geoff A]

I have an ICOM VHF with AIS receiver, but as that might be outside the unknown budget, I did the right thing, on behalf of the OP, and searched the interweb

Thankyou for looking. One of the first things I did was a Google search. Some of the gizmos on sale are above my techy know how.

 

[Geoff A]

As the navigation is done using a London Chartplotters tablet then contacting Steve is probably the best idea to get it added to your tablet or a stand alone system.
He is very good at customer support.

Thank you I had forgotten about Steve he is very helpful.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I have an ICOM VHF with AIS receiver, but as that might be outside the unknown budget, I did the right thing, on behalf of the OP, and searched the interweb

I really hope we don't see people posting AI garbage on here

Especially when it's full of nonsense, like the one you posted.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thank you I had forgotten about Steve he is very helpful.

I'd speak to Steve first, if the tablet you are using supports it, a receive only AIS with wifi is one solution, probably the cheapest.

But, i'd also look at the Onwa plotter with built in AIS. Might cost a little more, but it will be a better setup and will transmit as well as receive.

PS A pint sometime would be nice

 

[Refueler]

????
The Matsutec unit that we had was a 'standalone' unit incorporating it's own display screen.

Model Number please ?

Matsutec as I understand it - is similar to ONWA and is a plotter with AIS built in.