Stand alone AIS

Niall1975

Niall1975

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Which is the best standalone AIS system. Looking for class B transceiver not just a receiver. If its been done before could someone post a link please as my search didnt turn anything up.

Cheers

Niall
 
I've heard good things about Vesper Marine. They're specialists concentrating on AIS, and do a range from plain displays to receiver-displays to transponder-displays. Actually I'm not aware of any other standalone transponders With displays (though they may exist) - most companies seem to assume that if you're high-tech enough to want a transmitter, you already have a plotter and want the data displayed on it.

Pete
 
I had a Simrad AI50 AIS tranceiver coupled to a Simrad AIS-tuned antenna on the second spreader fitted to my boat in Holland back in 2008 and am very happy with it. I like the stand-alone fact, the screen has a good resolution. It is not uncommon that I can pick up ships 100M away which of course is of no navigational use except for nosiness. If you want to use the direct VHF-DSC ship call-up facility you will have to install a special Simnet connecting cable casting around GBP80 - I just make do with calling on normal VHF.

The only small thing I do not like about the system is that when the collision alarm goes off there is no way to accept / deactivate it except by turning the system off and waiting for the collision threat to pass.
 
AIS display

Hi Guys,


I have an AIS receiver AE fitted and using my lap top as a screen, but I'm coming round to the idea that I would like a dedicated screen, but the display units are so expensive - does anybody have a more economical suggestion?


David
 
multihullsailor6 said:
The only small thing I do not like about the system is that when the collision alarm goes off there is no way to accept / deactivate it except by turning the system off and waiting for the collision threat to pass.
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Ouch - how would that work cross channel with CPA alarms going off and constantly turning the unit on and off whilst waiting for ships to pass?
 
The Lazy Kipper said:
Ouch - how would that work cross channel with CPA alarms going off and constantly turning the unit on and off whilst waiting for ships to pass?
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It all depends on the alarm zone you have set, sailing cross channel I would have a very small zone and a larger one for sailing offshore. That said, in my experience it is not too often that you pass very close to commercial ships.
 
tarik said:
I have an AIS receiver AE fitted and using my lap top as a screen, but I'm coming round to the idea that I would like a dedicated screen, but the display units are so expensive - does anybody have a more economical suggestion?
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I assume the cheapest standalone AIS with its own screen is the Nasa one (ignore the word radar in the name, that's just some slightly provocative marketing).

Otherwise, you're down to assembling something yourself if you have the skills.

In fact, didn't forumite Angus Mcdoon do something like that recently? If I remember rightly, it would be exactly what you want, a low-power display to work with an existing receiver. He usually does these for his own amusement, but perhaps he'd be willing to make a copy for you for a suitable small emolument?

Pete
 
AIS

prv said:
I assume the cheapest standalone AIS with its own screen is the Nasa one (ignore the word radar in the name, that's just some slightly provocative marketing).

Otherwise, you're down to assembling something yourself if you have the skills.

In fact, didn't forumite Angus Mcdoon do something like that recently? If I remember rightly, it would be exactly what you want, a low-power display to work with an existing receiver. He usually does these for his own amusement, but perhaps he'd be willing to make a copy for you for a suitable small emolument?

Pete
Click to expand...


Thank you Pete, I'll try to locate him.


Many thanks David
 
Niall1975 said:
Which is the best standalone AIS system. Looking for class B transceiver not just a receiver. If its been done before could someone post a link please as my search didnt turn anything up.

Cheers

Niall
Click to expand...

The vesper 850 is excellent. I have one. A bit pricy, but very excellent features - good graphic displays of closing situations and easy to set alarm parameters so you have an alarm when you want it in real closing situations and not when you don't (like with stationary ships) and low power consumption.
 
prv said:
So I guess the crucial question is, are you willing to see your YAPPs put to slightly wider use?
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What do you have in mind when you say put to wider use? I'll send the schematics and source code to anyone who's interested (so far, not many) as long as they agree not to commercialise it themselves. Or at least not to do so without keeping me supplied in cream eggs and solder paste.
 
By the way, the requirement for PCBs isn't an insurmountable hurdle. There are companies which will make one-off "prototype" boards, some of which are geared up for hobbyists with relatively low prices and online ordering. The one I know of is http://www.pad2pad.com/ which is in the US but will send stuff to the UK; there may be others in this country. You could provide a "semi kit" of a programmed PIC, a list of parts to order from RS or whoever, and a board-layout file which the builder sends off to a PCB-maker of their choice.

My plotter's handling of AIS is frustrating in that it doesn't say whether the CPA will be behind the ship or in front of it - obviously the desired minimum distance in the two cases is rather different! I'm wondering whether my rather rusty C skills are up to enhancing your code (if made available) to display the predicted situation at CPA, as the Vesper devices do. (Guess that would require a PIC with a bit more headroom, but they're not that expensive.)

Pete
 
AngusMcDoon said:
What do you have in mind when you say put to wider use?
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Dunno :)

Some means by which the OP would be able to use it to fulfill the need he originally posted. Sounds like you already do that - I didn't realise the source and schematic were available on request.

For the record, I'm not some electronics tycoon looking for a new product :D

Pete
 
pierscovill said:
As I am not nearly clever enough to be able to build my own, anyone got any views on the Icom MA-500TR? http://www.icomuk.co.uk/MA-500TR/AIS_Products

Would seem to fit the OP's criteria and I was wondering about one as I have an M505 radio that would interface with it.
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The MA-500TR is a very nice set, very well build and matches the M505 perfectly......

.....but.....

1. An existing M505 will need a processor board upgrade to work with the MA-500TR as some genius at Icom wasn't aware that flash upgrades for firmware have been around for decades now. :(
2. The MA-500TR does not have a silent mode were in only acts as a receiver. I consider this a major flaw in the software. I even posted a feature request for this at Icom many months ago, but they haven't responded.

All in all a nice set but pricey and some important drawbacks. I did buy it by the way, together with a new M505 as I was replacing all the old stuff.
 
aluijten said:
The MA-500TR is a very nice set, very well build and matches the M505 perfectly......

.....but.....

1. An existing M505 will need a processor board upgrade to work with the MA-500TR as some genius at Icom wasn't aware that flash upgrades for firmware have been around for decades now. :(
2. The MA-500TR does not have a silent mode were in only acts as a receiver. I consider this a major flaw in the software. I even posted a feature request for this at Icom many months ago, but they haven't responded.

All in all a nice set but pricey and some important drawbacks. I did buy it by the way, together with a new M505 as I was replacing all the old stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, I have a 505 and I am told it has the upgrade already but a silent mode is essential. Don't want to be charging about Chi Harbour annoying everyone with class B traffic... I will tackle Icom at Excel as see what they have to say about this..
 
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