Installing Raymarine AIS650 AIS - Advice?

[G12]

The AIS antenna doesn't need to be mounted high up.

Well if you want it to have a good range it *does* need to be high up. AIS B only transmits on about 2.5 watts and as it's on a VHF frequency the range is very much affected by antenna height. If you want people (large ships) to see you further away then you want to get the antenna up the mast really.
I know loads of people seem to have them on the pushpit but to me that is a poor solution.
By the way, those Metz antennas mentioned above are fantastic. Use the very best coaxial cable and connectors you can, not the crap sold in chandleries. RG8X is cheap and smallish diameter but there are other great options if you don't mind spending a few quid extra.
I'm assuming you can't run a fat coax so this stuff is good for its 7mm diameter: http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/cables-leads-plugs/antenna-cable/ssb-electronic-aircell-7---drum

 

[CJU]

Slight thread drift but does anyone know if it is possible to disable the alarms on a Raymarine AIS 350 connected to a C90w chart plotter or do I have to turn the power off. I have tried altering the range and area of concern settings but I still can't stop the alarms.

It is a nightmare sailing in the Solent with so many yachts causing collision alarms.

Thanks

 

[pvb]

Well if you want it to have a good range it *does* need to be high up. AIS B only transmits on about 2.5 watts and as it's on a VHF frequency the range is very much affected by antenna height. If you want people (large ships) to see you further away then you want to get the antenna up the mast really.
I know loads of people seem to have them on the pushpit but to me that is a poor solution.

I guess you missed this post...

I don't have a mast
But yes the antenna is a s high as possible

Ships tend to have their AIS antennae fairly high up, so the effective range is still more than sufficient, even with a pushpit-mounted antenna.