Onwa ks200 ais

[Kinsale373]

I've seen some discussion on these. I'm thinking about purchasing one as a low cost introduction to AIS. I currently have a Garmin 545S at the Wheel . The manual states that this can interface using NEMA 0183. Version 3.01. I believe that I need to mount a dedicated GPS antenna and a dedicated VHF antenna for the ONWA transceiver, or use a splitter. Id prefer a dedicated antenna.
My questions are:
Does the VHF Antenna have to be mounted on top of the mast or would it work reasonable well mounted on a Pole at the rear of the Cockpit. Say 12 to 15 feet above water line ?
I presume the GPS antenna can be mounted on the rear cockpit rail, no height required?
Is anyone using the ONWA , what do you think of it? Interfaced to a Garmin?
Interested in any feedback,
Kinsale 373

 

[duncan99210]

VHF antenna will be fine either just on the pushpit rail or a bit higher on a pole.
GPS antenna will be fine wherever you choose to put it.
No idea about interfacing, the manual for the plotter should tell you what it can accept and display, the AIS manual should tell you what it's outputting.

 

[RichardS]

My AIS transceiver has its GPS mushroom stuck to the wall in the locker next to the transceiver with a bit of velcro.

Works perfectly and provides GPS data not only to the transceiver but to the entire navigation system.

Richard

 

[Kinsale373]

Thanks Guys, I think Ill give it a go.

Regards, Kinsale 373

 

[superheat6k]

The Onwa looks to me to be identical to the Matsutec HP-6 / 8 / 12 28A. These are excellent.

I have tried to upload the free chart software listed on the Onward website, but could not get it to work so possibly a software issue.

Not unusual for Chinese stuff to be re-badged.

However, worthwhile cross checking the Onwa price with the Matsutec price direct from Huayang in China, bearing in mind when buying from China you are paying Russian Roulette as far as duty and VAT are concerned.

 

[Kinsale373]

Thanks Superheat6k , Ill take a look at the Matsutec as you seem happy with it,
Kinsale 373

 

[superheat6k]

Susan is the main contact - sales003@huayang-tech.com

If you do buy one the manual I have omits some of the set up details. However, I have this so let me know and I will send the addendum to you.

You will need a chart card of SD card format such as C Map Max and not C Map NT. Don't ask me how I know this !

If you do manage to get the K Charts from Onwa to work please let me know how.

 

[Kinsale373]

Thats great, thanks for the info. Ill take a look over the week end. Kinsale 373

 

[LoneHort]

Hi Kinsale373 ,
I just bought one a few mins ago with the ethernet port. http://onwamarine.com/ks-200b_n/ Must say Kelvin from onwmarine was very helpful, getting it shipped to HongKong were my company has an office and from there one of the guys will bring it back to Ireland. Fantastic value at $257 if it does what it claims, i.e. Transponder and AIS output via both NMEA and ethernet allowing me to hook it up to the old RayMarine CP and my ethernet network where I can pick it up on OpenCPN.

 

[Kinsale373]

Hi LoneHort,
yes, the Onwa kit seems great value. I'm about to purchase also. Ive a Garmin 545s at the wheel that I will firstly try to interface as I mostly use this. I also have an older Raymarine 530 Radar/ plotter that I wouldn't mind having the AIS show up on also. so Id be interested to hear how you get on with your Raymarine. My only conscern is that there seems to be ongoing updates and revisions of NEMA 0183 , but I think that older versions should be able to communicate with newer versions.
Regards Kinsale 373

 

[pvb]

I also have an older Raymarine 530 Radar/ plotter that I wouldn't mind having the AIS show up on also. so Id be interested to hear how you get on with your Raymarine.

The RC530 doesn't support AIS, so it won't display it.

 

[pvb]

... the Onwa kit seems great value. I'm about to purchase also. Ive a Garmin 545s at the wheel that I will firstly try to interface as I mostly use this.

Naturally, we're all looking for value, but I reckon it's also important to look at other aspects. Buying from China direct can reduce cost, but it has implications for warranty support if you need it. Many people have also had problems with poor instruction manuals, software difficulties, etc, which are not necessarily easily resolved.

I don't want an AIS transceiver, but if I were to buy one I'd look at spending a bit more and getting something like the em-trak B100 for £399. It's supplied by a UK company and has a 3 year warranty. It also has an SD card slot so you can record AIS data. It has clear documentation, written in English. But most importantly, it comes with USB connectivity and with full NMEA0183 and NMEA2000 output. This latter feature is potentially of interest to you, as when you need to replace your plotter you may well find that NMEA2000 is the only available interface (B&G and Raymarine are already moving in this direction). Sure, you can mess about with converters to cobble together a connection, but the plug-and-play simplicity of NMEA2000 is compelling. For that reason, I wouldn't now buy an AIS transceiver which didn't offer NMEA2000.

http://jgtech.com/pdf/B100-PRODUCT-BROCHURE.pdf
http://jgtech.com/pdf/em-trak-B100-manual-EN-v3.pdf

 

[Kinsale373]

Thanks pvb, i mainly use it as just as radar so it can live out its days as is , Kinsale 373

 

[Kinsale373]

Yes, your point about future compatability and NEMA 2000 is valid and if I was spending more that a few hundred £ i'd take your advice. But at present I have a very Old Chart Plotter/ Radar at the Nav Station that works fine. I have a Garmin GPS that I think is around 7 years old at the Wheel. Ill probably have to replace the lot within 5 years ( And ill have to consider my autopilot as well!) . I'm thinking that i'd probably be better to wait and purchase an integrated system in a few years. At the rate thinks are progressing it may come in one box with a few repeater screens! But I can risk a hunded quid and and with a bit of luck get to play with AIS this season.

Regards Kinsale 373

 

[jiris]

................................
My questions are:
Does the VHF Antenna have to be mounted on top of the mast or would it work reasonable well mounted on a Pole at the rear of the Cockpit. Say 12 to 15 feet above water line ?
I presume the GPS antenna can be mounted on the rear cockpit rail, no height required?
...........................................
Interested in any feedback,
Kinsale 373

The range of any VHF device, AIS included, is practically limited by the line of sight. So, because of the Earth curvature, the higher the antenna, the better. If you are happy with range of some 10 miles (just shooting from the hip), the pole will be O.K. You want more - top of the mast.
GPS antenna has similar limitation, but as the satellites are well above the horizon, they can be "observed" virtually from the water level. If the GPS is used for measuring speed, the ideal place for its antenna will be somewhere near the pivoting point of the boat (in most cases it would be close to the middle and fairly low) where rocking will cause minimal "noise". But it is not critical. By all means, the rule "the higher the better" doesn't apply here, the opposite may be true in most cases.