Standard Horizon CP-300I plotter and GX-2100E radio + Transponder

[Caer Urfa]

I will be installing a Standard Horizon CP-300I plotter and GX-2100E radio which will show vessels on AIS in range.

Has anyone added a Comar AST200 AIS Transponder Antenna Splitter to this system? or can recommended another make of transponder?

Is it as easy to add the transponder as the ads suggest?

Mike

 

[pvb]

I will be installing a Standard Horizon CP-300I plotter and GX-2100E radio which will show vessels on AIS in range.

Has anyone added a Comar AST200 AIS Transponder Antenna Splitter to this system? or can recommended another make of transponder?

Is it as easy to add the transponder as the ads suggest?

It sounds like you think that the AST200 is a transponder - it isn't, it's just an antenna splitter.

 

[Vara]

If all you are doing is installing the radio and plotter you don't need a splitter, the radio does it in house, this refers to the wiring pattern.

http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/fi...rizon Chart plotter to GX2100E Matrix AIS.pdf

It's a very straight forward install, ie I did it successfully. Only thing that fooled me is that the on switch for the VHF needs holding in for a couple of seconds to switch on.

Stunning combination of kit, very pleased with mine.

 

[Caer Urfa]

It sounds like you think that the AST200 is a transponder - it isn't, it's just an antenna splitter.

Hi pvb
Yes I am not the worlds leading light when it comes to AIS ship communications, you are right I want to now 'add a transponder' to the SH system, what would anyone recommend without breaking the bank!

And would I need a seperate antenna?

Mike

 

[Caer Urfa]

If all you are doing is installing the radio and plotter you don't need a splitter, the radio does it in house, this refers to the wiring pattern.

http://www.standardhorizon.co.uk/fi...rizon Chart plotter to GX2100E Matrix AIS.pdf

It's a very straight forward install, ie I did it successfully. Only thing that fooled me is that the on switch for the VHF needs holding in for a couple of seconds to switch on.

Stunning combination of kit, very pleased with mine.

Thanks Vara for the info, I will be installing mine in about three weeks time when I have finished the boatyard refit.
I have a Suunto compass about 2 ' from the new planned installation site, do you think there will be any problems ?
Mike

 

[Vara]

Thanks Vara for the info, I will be installing mine in about three weeks time when I have finished the boatyard refit.
I have a Suunto compass about 2 ' from the new planned installation site, do you think there will be any problems ?
Mike

Mine is about 8" from plotter with no discernible effect on compass.

 

[pvb]

Hi pvb
Yes I am not the worlds leading light when it comes to AIS ship communications, you are right I want to now 'add a transponder' to the SH system, what would anyone recommend without breaking the bank!

And would I need a seperate antenna?

Thought that's what you meant. There are lots of AIS Class B transceivers on the market. The cheapest with GPS is probably the Transas Gen 2 at around £440, then you have to add an antenna. Alternatively, you can fit an antenna splitter (like the £160 AST200 you mentioned) and use the existing masthead antenna.

Personally, I think Class B transponders are a waste of money for most small boats.

 

[prv]

Yes I am not the worlds leading light when it comes to AIS ship communications, you are right I want to now 'add a transponder' to the SH system, what would anyone recommend without breaking the bank!

I'm confused.

You say you have a radio which has a built-in AIS receiver (I know, I have one). Yet you want to add a transponder as well? It sounds like the radio is not yet installed, so why would you add a receiver if what you want is a transponder?

You shouldn't try to use a separate transponder and receiver at the same time, because the receiver will pick up your own transponder and think you are about to be run over by yourself!

Take a step back and try to explain what you have now and what you are trying to achieve.

Pete

 

[pvb]

I'm confused.

You say you have a radio which has a built-in AIS receiver (I know, I have one). Yet you want to add a transponder as well? It sounds like the radio is not yet installed, so why would you add a receiver if what you want is a transponder?

I imagined he'd sell the radio and get an ordinary GX2000.

 

[prv]

I imagined he'd sell the radio and get an ordinary GX2000.

That would be the sensible course, but he says he "will be installing" it.

Pete

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I would second the thoughts about the AIS transponder, I believe not many ships pay much attention to the Class B traffic and the money might be better invested in a SeeMe or equivalent active radar reflector IMHO.

The GX2100E will pick up the transmission of a seperate transponder and will think you are going to run yourself over AFAIK. Not sure what workarounds are possible.

Here's my setup and it has no discernable effect on the compass ....

Wiring is here if you're interested (I like posting this pic ) .....

 

[pvb]

I would second the thoughts about the AIS transponder, I believe not many ships pay much attention to the Class B traffic and the money might be better invested in a SeeMe or equivalent active radar reflector IMHO.

Here's my setup and it has no discernable effect on the compass ....

Didn't notice your setup immediately...

But you're right, a Class B transceiver is no guarantee that a ship will take any notice of you - especially in busier waters.

 

[prv]

I believe not many ships pay much attention to the Class B traffic and the money might be better invested in a SeeMe or equivalent active radar reflector IMHO.

Not sure I agree about not many ships paying attention to Class B - as time goes by more and more of them have AIS incorporated into their bridge systems rather than on a 3-line screen in a corner, and the "ships deliberately turn off Class B to avoid clutter" idea seems to have been thrown into serious doubt. Nevertheless, I too would pick a radar target enhancer over AIS transmit - whatever they may or may not do with AIS, ships' watch officers live and die by their radars, so that's where I want to show up.

Pete

 

[pvb]

Not sure I agree about not many ships paying attention to Class B - as time goes by more and more of them have AIS incorporated into their bridge systems rather than on a 3-line screen in a corner, and the "ships deliberately turn off Class B to avoid clutter" idea seems to have been thrown into serious doubt. Nevertheless, I too would pick a radar target enhancer over AIS transmit - whatever they may or may not do with AIS, ships' watch officers live and die by their radars, so that's where I want to show up.

I disagree about Class B clutter on ships' screens, I think they will filter it out if it becomes distracting - which it easily can. But I too would certainly spend the £500 or so on a Sea-Me rather than on an AIS transceiver.

 

[Little Sam]

So reading this.....

I pressume i will be A OK to see AIS when i fit my normal antenna to my SH GX2100E radio and connect it to my SH CPN700i plotter ? ive been waiting ages for this to arrive in the post, does the cable from radio to plotter or vice versa come with it ?
Thx.

 

[Vara]

You get two data cables with the plotter, I needed to lengthen mine, sourced data cable from eBay for not a lot of quids.

Shouldn't be a problem joining the two together.

SH tech support is pretty good if you get stuck.

 

[Caer Urfa]

I'm confused.

Take a step back and try to explain what you have now and what you are trying to achieve.

Pete

Hi Pete

This all came about as last year I was nearly run down by a container ship in poor visability 5 mile offshore, hence I have purchased and will installed the SH system so at least I can see and monitor shipping near me, However I thought it would also be good if other ships can clearly see me on their ships screens as a double back up.

One of the big advantages (I think) is with the SH sytem I 'should get' excellant reception due to the aerial being ontop of the mast as opposed to an antenna usually mounted lower down, I spoke to SH who do not do a transponder, but said one can be added to the plotter.

Is my thinking Illogical ? or should I just save the money!!

Mike

 

[Baggywrinkle]

So reading this.....

I pressume i will be A OK to see AIS when i fit my normal antenna to my SH GX2100E radio and connect it to my SH CPN700i plotter ? ive been waiting ages for this to arrive in the post, does the cable from radio to plotter or vice versa come with it ?
Thx.

The cables are attached to the plotter and radio but just bare coloured wires. You will need to connect them together yourself and depending on location may need to extend the wires. I used multi-core trailer lighting wire and waterproof trailer junction boxes.

Wiring diagrams for CPN700i are here .....

http://www.standardhorizon.com/down...CPN1010i_CPN700i Owners Manual 11-30-2012.pdf

Page 151 has the GX2100E AIS to CP700i (It's US as couldn't find UK manual on UK site but the wiring will be the same.)

 

[pvb]

This all came about as last year I was nearly run down by a container ship in poor visability 5 mile offshore, hence I have purchased and will installed the SH system so at least I can see and monitor shipping near me, However I thought it would also be good if other ships can clearly see me on their ships screens as a double back up.

Spend the money on an active radar target enhancer instead - that's guaranteed to make sure ships notice you, AIS isn't.

 

[prv]

This all came about as last year I was nearly run down by a container ship in poor visability 5 mile offshore, hence I have purchased and will installed the SH system so at least I can see and monitor shipping near me, However I thought it would also be good if other ships can clearly see me on their ships screens as a double back up.

One of the big advantages (I think) is with the SH sytem I 'should get' excellant reception due to the aerial being ontop of the mast as opposed to an antenna usually mounted lower down, I spoke to SH who do not do a transponder, but said one can be added to the plotter.

Is my thinking Illogical ? or should I just save the money!!

The GX2100 and the CP300 are a good combination for a receive-only system that will let you see ships. The problem arises when you also want ships to see you. You'll need to add a separate transmitter(/transponder) for that, but your receive equipment will then get confused by your own transmissions.

Transmitters also receive (and ignore their own signals) so if you're going to fit a transmitter you don't need or want a separate receiver. This means the GX2100 becomes pointless.

If you want to transmit, a more appropriate system would be the transponder splitter, a transmitter, and the plotter. The radio is then irrelevant for AIS; use whatever you want for VHF only.

Pete