Garmin VHF & AIS - safety question

[CliffPoulter]

I have a Garmin AIS 600 (Class B) & Garmin VHF 300i radio sharing the same aerial using a Garmin 'splitter'. Recently had problems contacting the Coastguard and found communication only worked within 13 miles of shore. When aerial was checked, it was transmitting 23 watts on Channel 16. When AIS was switched on, this reduced to 14 watts, hence the degradation in performance. Garmin say this is within their operating tolerance. I disagree. A near 40% drop in performance cannot be acceptable. I know there is a workaround by fitting a separate aerial for the AIS, but believe Garmin have a responsibility to meet the cost. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[jimg]

Personally have always fitted seperate aeriels for every item, seems a bit penny pinching not to!!

I would just sort it out and put it down to experience, lifes too short to waste time on battling with Garmin over this.