Garmin GPSmap 550s and AIS class B input?

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blan321

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I have a garmin GPS Map 550S already installed, used as chartplotter/depth sounder with GPS output to a separate NASA AIS radar which of course is receive only.
I am thinking of upgrading to an AIS transmitter and receiver.
Does anyone know if the GPS Map 550S will accept a class B transponder input - googling the question brings up some possible issues in the 2007 period (but this may now be irrelevant if updates issued).
I am thinking of buying the SeaTracer from SARtech,
https://www.sartech.com/shop/ais/se...-class-b-transceiver.html#product_tabs_downld
I wonder if anyone has any experience of the unit please? The alternative is a unit from China, just seems wiser to buy within UK in case of support/warranty issues.
thanks,
 
I've just bought that transponder from that website (the manufacturers) and it came next day (today) I paid with Paypal as it seemed to good to be true, Force4 sell them for twice the price!

I'm yet to set it up but I'll be looking for a plotter to see targets rather then using my laptop but from what I see the Garmin should take AIS input looking at the manual.
 
blan321 said:
Does anyone know if the GPS Map 550S will accept a class B transponder input - googling the question brings up some possible issues in the 2007 period (but this may now be irrelevant if updates issued).
Click to expand...

It should do. If you go into the Configure menu, then Communications, then check that you can set NMEA High Speed input.
 
I have that same Gamin (near enough) and a different receiver but it shouldn't be a problem. The important issue is enabling the port on the Garmin via the setup menus. Strictly speaking the unit you've bought is a Transceiver not a Transponder.
 
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The Matsutec HP- series from Huayang are effective and well supported. The HP-33 is the basic AIS engine, with the HP-6/8/12 28A the full chart plotter versions. The 12" is excellent. The data outputs at ~38000 baud or Garmin High speed.
 
Yellow Ballad said:
I've just bought that transponder from that website (the manufacturers) and it came next day (today) I paid with Paypal as it seemed to good to be true, Force4 sell them for twice the price!

I'm yet to set it up but I'll be looking for a plotter to see targets rather then using my laptop but from what I see the Garmin should take AIS input looking at the manual.
Click to expand...

That does seem an incredible price- will be interested to see how you get on with it. Never felt the need to transmit AIS myself but at that price it might be rude not to!
 
savageseadog said:
... .... Strictly speaking the unit you've bought is a Transceiver not a Transponder.
Click to expand...
To be pedantic, you're wrong. A transceiver transmits without any reference to the RF environment. AIS transponders look for a slot to transmit and therefore are responding to the signals received from other sources nearby.
 
Hoolie said:
To be pedantic, you're wrong. A transceiver transmits without any reference to the RF environment. AIS transponders look for a slot to transmit and therefore are responding to the signals received from other sources nearby.
Click to expand...

To be even more pedantic a my definition of a Transponder is a device that responds to a received message or signal. A radar Transponder is a classic example. An AIS transponder/transceiver you're saying will time it's transmission so it doesn't collide with others, the reverse of what I think a Transponder does. Nevertheless an interesting interjection as I didn't know about the transmissions being timed that way. I thought it was a similar idea to Ethernet and collisions on networks ie there will be some collisions but not enough to matter.

As a point of interest the web page for the item describes it as a Transceiver.
 
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