Em-Trak B954 Class B ais. Is this a B+?

S

seeSimon

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 Jan 2024
Messages
352
Location
Kernow, UK
Visit site
Please forgive my ignorance....

but due to seemingly increased unreliability of RYA Safetrax 'er indoors gets anxious.
Hence considering AIS for coastal use.

I see there are emtrak 2 and 5w models.
My thinking being that with poor vhf reception up some Cornish Rias I might be better off with a higher power unit. Bit of future proofing too maybe ?

Q. Are 5w emtrak units ais B+?

I think B+ entails more than just increased transmit power?
 
seeSimon said:
Please forgive my ignorance....

but due to seemingly increased unreliability of RYA Safetrax 'er indoors gets anxious.
Hence considering AIS for coastal use.

I see there are emtrak 2 and 5w models.
My thinking being that with poor vhf reception up some Cornish Rias I might be better off with a higher power unit. Bit of future proofing too maybe ?

Q. Are 5w emtrak units ais B+?

I think B+ entails more than just increased transmit power?
Click to expand...
Anything B95x is B+
 
I have a 5W B952 feeding a masthead aerial, I still get places where there is no shore-based (Marinetraffic etc.) internet evidence of position, eg much of Fowey and Helford rivers, some bits of Scilly. On board it works very well and I often get signals back from vessels 50 miles away. I think the limiting factor is internet-connected shore stations, which are not "real" AIS.
 
seeSimon said:
I think B+ entails more than just increased transmit power?
Click to expand...
My recollection is that B+ can reserve a slot, like class A, whereas class B can only wait and hope to get a free slot.

B+ also transmits message 27, which allows it to be picked up by satellites (essay here) so hopefully your partner will be able to see your boat even when you're quite well offshore.
 
KompetentKrew said:
My recollection is that B+ can reserve a slot, like class A, whereas class B can only wait and hope to get a free slot.

B+ also transmits message 27, which allows it to be picked up by satellites (essay here) so hopefully your partner will be able to see your boat even when you're quite well offshore.
Click to expand...
Correct. The higher power is a nice but not hugely significant advantage. It's the network protocol (SOTDMA) which is a hugely significant advantage of B+. In my opinion, Class B is entirely obsoleted by this.
 
Goldie said:
As a denizen of the Cornish rias, I’m just intrigued as to why one needs AIS when ‘up the creek’ 🤔
Click to expand...
I have been using rya safetrax to keep family informed on my sometimes random, sometimes extended, almost always solo sailing "adventures"...
They worry...I've had ongoing health issues since Covid...not the man I was...

Safetrax seems to be becoming increasingly useless. Especially in high season when mobile networks seem to struggle with weight of traffic?
ie big events at looe this weekend. No mobile data/Internet at all.
Very sluggish atm...even typing this.

No need for AIS really other than fog on coastal passages...probably...?

And I'm a bit of a ship spotter...😉
 
Mobile phones connecting via satellite are virtually here. That will certainly change current forms of connectability at sea.
Its now available in some parts of usa, text only at the moment, but it's a whole $10 a month :oops: .
Many networks are currently testing it ! I would guess that within a year you should be able to visit predict winds Web site on your phone mid Atlantic. Maybe stream netfilx?
Vessel finder and marine traffic can both display their shore based receivers. Handy as you can see where ais is not covered. It helps to use both as they both cover areas the other one does not, unless the point is to hide in uncovered areas :ROFLMAO:
The Chinese ais chart plotters have had B+ for a good 5 years and im sure i read in the manual they can also send and receive text messages plus they have can have the latest nmea one net .
Now what to buy to future proof ? :unsure:
 
Just a side thought. If its about letting family, etc know where you are I would suggest trying an app on your phone.
I use Life360 for location and have a family group, I can see myself and all family members in a instant. Works where ever you have phone signal and its free.
I used it mainly for my Mum, she's in her 80's and disappears into the woods talking photo's of birds, etc. I can see where she is within a few meters real time. My wife likes it for when I'm solo Mountain biking or coastal sailing.
 
Gixer said:
Just a side thought. If its about letting family, etc know where you are I would suggest trying an app on your phone.
I use Life360 for location and have a family group, I can see myself and all family members in a instant. Works where ever you have phone signal and its free.
I used it mainly for my Mum, she's in her 80's and disappears into the woods talking photo's of birds, etc. I can see where she is within a few meters real time. My wife likes it for when I'm solo Mountain biking or coastal sailing.
Click to expand...
Thanks. This is new to me.
 
MoodyChris said:
Just to chime in a bit late. I use the Garmin Inreach messenger to send satellite positions every 20 minutes and share the page with anyone interested. It works everywhere as it's entirely satellite based, but requires a monthly subscription.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris.
How much are the subs please?
UK and near European limits.
 

SPOT tracking may well be cheaper, I stopped using mine because it didn't work where I needed to use it. (£30 if you want it?)​

​

The new Garmin InReach plans are:​

​

INREACH ENABLED PLAN​

£7.99 per month
Plus taxes and fees where applicable
Unlimited SOS, pay-as-you go for other features


  • Unlimited SOS and messaging with Garmin Response℠
  • £0.10 per check-in message or reaction
  • £0.10 per tracking point
  • £0.50 per text message or weather forecast



INREACH ESSENTIAL PLAN​

£14.99 per month
Plus taxes and fees where applicable
Unlimited SOS and check-ins plus 50 satellite text messages


  • Unlimited SOS and messaging with Garmin Response℠
  • Unlimited check-in messages and reactions
  • £0.10 per tracking point
  • 50 text messages or weather forecasts per month
Overages:
  • £0.50 per text message or weather forecast



INREACH STANDARD PLAN​

£29.99 per month
Plus taxes and fees where applicable
All Essential Plan features plus unlimited tracking and 150 satellite text messages


  • Unlimited SOS and messaging with Garmin Response℠
  • Unlimited check-in messages and reactions
  • Unlimited 10-minute tracking
  • 150 text messages or weather forecasts per month
Overages:
  • £0.50 per text message or weather forecast



INREACH PREMIUM PLAN​

£49.99 per month
Plus taxes and fees where applicable
Unlimited SOS, check-ins, tracking and text messaging


  • Unlimited SOS and messaging with Garmin Response℠
  • Unlimited check-in messages and reactions
  • Unlimited 2-minute tracking
  • Unlimited text messages and weather forecasts per month
 
Your phone probably already has something that will do the trick, Google Maps.

Just touch your name/icon at the top right, click "location sharing" then select the people and duration you want to share your position for.
 
Hi,

A phone will not do this as the inreach is connected via satellite and does not rely on mobile network connectivity. It works pretty much anywhere in the world. I've used it over thousands of miles with zero issues and it keeps a records of your tracks too.

It also has an emergency button which, although it might take up to 20 minutes to fine the spare satellite bandwidth, could be invaluable. It also allows text communication with a mobile onshore.

Mine easily fits into a pocket and the battery lasts for days up to weeks. It's an amazing piece of kit and in rough conditions I keep it in my pocket so, at the worst, I have an emergency method of communication.

It's the inReach messenger, which doesn't have a fancy screen but you can do everything you need to via the few buttons and tiny non backlit screen. In my opinion, it's a far more important piece of kit than nearly anything else. Effectively unlimited range and small size. Not perfect, but to me invaluable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top