AIS VHF & Plotter

SteveHall · 24 November 2013, 19:55

If I get a AIS VHF thats N2k compatible will this put the AIS information onto my N2k plotter?

willk · 24 November 2013, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

If I get a AIS VHF thats N2k compatible will this put the AIS information onto my N2k plotter?

Link8 with your HDS gear?

SteveHall · 24 November 2013, 20:09

Thats what I was thinking, but then if i can get a link 8 for SRP: £296.40 and get AIS on my HDS gear, then why would anyone buy an AIS receiver for £500.00

So if i get the Link 8, connect it to the N2k network - Bingo I have an AIS plotter?

gotchiguy · 24 November 2013, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Thats what I was thinking, but then if i can get a link 8 for SRP: £296.40 and get AIS on my HDS gear, then why would anyone buy an AIS receiver for £500.00

So if i get the Link 8, connect it to the N2k network - Bingo I have an AIS plotter?

Yes, but the point of AIS is to be broadcasting your position, which the Link 8 doesn't do. IMHO you would be much better off with a Digital Yacht AIT2000 or other AIS transceiver.

SteveHall · 24 November 2013, 20:23

I understand that its better to be seen, but Id its better to see whats going on that nothing at all, and my VHF 421 is getting old and showing signs that it needs to be replaced.

As I am adding the HDS equipment this winter I may also include the link 8 into my upgrade.

willk · 24 November 2013, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

So if i get the Link 8, connect it to the N2k network - Bingo I have an AIS plotter?

I think so, but any £150 AIS receiver should do the same. Might you be mixing them up with Transceivers? That said, the Link8 looks very nice and removes the need for a splitter box or second antenna (more money and wiring).

Ignore Gotchi - he's an attention seeker who wants to appear on the plotters of tankers and bulk carriers

If you need to keep in touch with buddies in a fleet, you should be able to poll their VHFs directly for a position if you set it up correctly.

SteveHall · 24 November 2013, 20:33

willk - not confusing with rx & tx. I only want rx...

My VHF is getting old, and I have had a few problems in the past season, so this is a good enough reason for the update.

ShinyShoe · 24 November 2013, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I think so, but any £150 AIS receiver should do the same.

Actually - I think some of the cheaper end ones will only really have one receiver for AIS that scans both channels. That results in about 1/3rd of traffic being lost going by all accounts. No great shakes for the speed / direction data you will probably get it next time, but is the reason it often takes more than 6 minutes to get the vessel detail (e.g. name) when it is being transmitted every 6 mins.

Trouble is they often say 'receive on both AIS channels' and don't say how they do it.

Link 8 says dual channel but can't be sure if thats 2 separate receivers. The manual on-line is pants.

Doesn't feel like you'd need that much extra kit in the box to send AIS so why does that then cost an extra £500?

willk · 24 November 2013, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

willk - not confusing with rx & tx. I only want rx...

Ah, OK - it was the £500 that foxed me. A Link8 at £265 seems too good to say no to. I have no idea how good a VHF they are but I'd risk it for a biscuit

SteveHall · 24 November 2013, 20:43

When I have looked for an AIS tx/rx they are like £500

SteveHall · 24 November 2013, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Ah, OK - it was the £500 that foxed me. A Link8 at £265 seems too good to say no to. I have no idea how good a VHF they are but I'd risk it for a biscuit

When I have look for an AIS unit to do both they seem to be like £500, not sure if that includes cables, antenna and all that, so it is an expensive toy.

Id love to be seen, but i would much rather see whats out there and if like you say the link 8 gives me this for £250 isn then thats worth a punt!

MikeCC · 24 November 2013, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Doesn't feel like you'd need that much extra kit in the box to send AIS so why does that then cost an extra £500?

A receiver doesn't need any certification. It's just a glorified VHF receiver with a chip to decode the AIS transmission into NMEA.
A transponder has to be fully certified/approved (=expensive) and does a lot more clever processing to avoid conflicting transmissions from other vessels. A transponder is 'only' twice the price of a good quality full dual channel receiver and that includes a GPS antenna as well.

There's also the economy of scale - a lot more receivers are sold than transponders.

AMac · 25 November 2013, 01:06

I have fitted garmin ais600 to boat and I would never do without it again
I would possibly look at the vhf300i next time as I think it's got the same transponder system
Better to be seen than not
Radar reflectors are about as much use as a chocolate fire guard so AIS is the way forward

SteveHall · 25 November 2013, 07:07

I'd love one - but £500+

AMac · 25 November 2013, 08:05

safety!
what price????

SteveHall · 25 November 2013, 08:18

I've boated for years and only ever chartered with AIS, but never felt I wouldn't go out in the RIB without AIS, I do see the benefit on long distance cruising for the WAFI's.

I would rather have receive so that I could see what's going on in bad weather, and spend the remaining £250 on fuel enabling me to get out on the water. I think for most of my cruising I would disable the Tx anyway as not to clutter up other peoples plotters as i am bay hopping or exploring the coast line.

I think some people rely to much on the thought that they have an AIS transmitter - so everyone will see them.

Copinsay · 24 December 2013, 18:10

Hello All

I've had the Advansea AIS TR200 fitted on my RIB since summer 2012 and very happy with it. Well suited to a RIB given its size and waterproofness and integrates well with my Garmin 451S for display and proximity alarms.

Have valued it most when operating at night so can seen - and be seen by - the many ferries, cruise ships and tankers moving about, to avoid any collisions and also avaoid large wakes in the dark. Also reassuring in fog, when used with all the other safety equipment and measures.

Also gives reassurance to my partner when out on my own, to see me pootling about on Marine Traffic:
SKYLARK - Pleasure Craft: current position and details | MMSI 235091893, Callsign 2FJW7 | Registered in United Kingdom - AIS Marine Traffic

Plus just very interesting to see what shipping is about anyway, and indeed prompted me to setup up an AIS base station at home to improve class B coverage around here and our community slip. Thanks to Marine Traffic for providing the SLR200N unit FOC in return for hosting the device and sending the data to them via my broadband connection.

Details for AIS station Mull Head Deerness Orkney - AIS Marine Traffic

Comar Systems SLR 200N / SLR 200NG

I looked at an rx only unit, but because this Class B transponder was £399, the extra seemed worth it. From looking just now that seemed to be a very good price, esp 18 months ago.

Unit works 100% and would buy again.

See also thread: http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/current...s-48344-2.html

Maybe Santa will have got you one :o)

Steve

Copinsay · 24 December 2013, 18:15

PS - I did look at the:

AMEC CAMINO-101 Class B AIS transponder

£275GBP but then shipping from USA and antenna to add - but worth a look if the next option is over £500.

Or £335 for the:
Comar CSB 200 Class B AIS Transponder

Hope this helps

Steve

Steve

Barrowboy · 24 December 2013, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copinsay

Hello All

I've had the Advansea AIS TR200 fitted on my RIB since summer 2012 and very happy with it. Well suited to a RIB given its size and waterproofness and integrates well with my Garmin 451S for display and proximity alarms.

Have valued it most when operating at night so can seen - and be seen by - the many ferries, cruise ships and tankers moving about, to avoid any collisions and also avaoid large wakes in the dark. Also reassuring in fog, when used with all the other safety equipment and measures.

Also gives reassurance to my partner when out on my own, to see me pootling about on Marine Traffic:
SKYLARK - Pleasure Craft: current position and details | MMSI 235091893, Callsign 2FJW7 | Registered in United Kingdom - AIS Marine Traffic

Plus just very interesting to see what shipping is about anyway, and indeed prompted me to setup up an AIS base station at home to improve class B coverage around here and our community slip. Thanks to Marine Traffic for providing the SLR200N unit FOC in return for hosting the device and sending the data to them via my broadband connection.

Details for AIS station Mull Head Deerness Orkney - AIS Marine Traffic

Comar Systems SLR 200N / SLR 200NG

I looked at an rx only unit, but because this Class B transponder was £399, the extra seemed worth it. From looking just now that seemed to be a very good price, esp 18 months ago.

Unit works 100% and would buy again.

See also thread: http://www.rib.net/forum/f37/current...s-48344-2.html

Maybe Santa will have got you one :o)

Steve

Very interesting post.

Firstly, as someone who consults Marinetraffic on a daily basis it's great to find someone who has 'custody' of one of their shore stations. Excellent service although I wish some of the 'Armchair Admirals' I answer in to professionally had never heard of it!

Secondly, I've just looked up the price of the TR200 unit and am gobsmacked that it's north of £650 (Bainbridge marine)

Finally, the idea of my missus tracking me on Marinetraffic is just a step too far. Not that I'd be worried she'd sus me doing anything utoward (honestly) but she wouldn't notice that the info she's looking at hadn't been updated for (say) 30 mins and the next thing I know I'd have a Severn Class up my ass or Rescue 122 hovering overhead.

She has a tendency to over-react.

Copinsay · 24 December 2013, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

She has a tendency to over-react.

Just shows she cares - or you are well insured :o)

Works for us as my Partner boats and is AIS (and DSC etc for that matter) savvy, so knows that "no signal" is not to cause worry... just that moving signal is confirmation of good, but not moving does not = in trouble. And knows other ways to check I'm OK if concerned.

Yep - £399 for the unit was a bargain - can't find it under £500 now.

I too was amazed that Marine Traffic supplied the £400+ base station unit, but I made a documented case that showed there was a gap in converge to the east of Orkney... Which also nicely coincided with where I go out most frequently :o)

Glad that helped.

Steve