is ais worth the expense - Page 2

Pikey Dave · 05 February 2017, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Anyway in answer to the OP...Nahh not really

You still using the trusty old lodestone?[emoji1]

Last Tango · 05 February 2017, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

I didn't think they were as cheap as that I was thinking about if it would be possible to overlay the ais onto my chartplotter through nmea 2000

List price is about £250 but they they come up quite often on Ebay.
Mines was listed "New without tags". GPS side is all ok but never had it anywhere it would pick up an AIS signal.

Done a fair bit in the Clyde in the dark and been very surprised how busy it was with commercial traffic. However it's another toy to play with even if it never gets used in earnest.

willk · 05 February 2017, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

that would be a different aspect as well but I suppose your I phone can do that as well and show more than a basic vhf based ais

To a degree. Obviously you need a data service on the phone. More importantly, the data you'll receive is potentially incomplete. The AIS data on the internet is provided by volunteer base stations around the world. There are gaps in the coverage due to the density (or lack thereof) of the base stations and where they are located - mostly domestic and commercial premises - not hilltops.

Pikey Dave · 05 February 2017, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

To a degree. Obviously you need a data service on the phone. More importantly, the data you'll receive is potentially incomplete. The AIS data on the internet is provided by volunteer base stations around the world. There are gaps in the coverage due to the density (or lack thereof) of the base stations and where they are located - mostly domestic and commercial premises - not hilltops.

Also the phone apps aren't in "real time" there can be a delay in the data being updated.

ShinyShoe · 05 February 2017, 22:20

It was the comment about finding a mate that made me ask about Tx. Its a bit greedy expecting your mates to be Tx AIS so you can find them, but you only being Rx!

If you look hard enough you can find a Chinese Import AIS Tx for about £300-350 (may be missing a CE mark if you care about such details).

If you are looking only to Rx, A Quark QK-A022 would do what you need provided you have either a spare antenna for it (provides a backup for the main set in case of failure ...) or a splitter, and a 5V USB power supply and probably a water proof case. £60 for the black box.

Pikey Dave · 05 February 2017, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

You've lost me there, however I shall clarify[emoji6]
If you have a receive only AIS, it can use the same VHF antenna as the errr VHF, via a splitter or indeed be combined into the same box e.g. Icom 506. However if you have a transponder, it requires a separate dedicated VHF antenna, is that better[emoji1]

Seems like things have changed since I were a lad

looks like you can use VHF splitters on transponders now. I'm not sure how it works as AIS transmits on channel 70, I'm assuming (probably mistakenly) that if the VHF is in use when the AIS wants to transmit, it queues the signal & waits for quiet.

willk · 05 February 2017, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

It was the comment about finding a mate that made me ask about Tx. Its a bit greedy expecting your mates to be Tx AIS so you can find them, but you only being Rx!

I'm sure there's a Moral in that story, like...

"It's more blessed to Give than to Receive"?

or

"What's your Position mate?" - "Well, I kinda prefer Tx if you'll Rx?"

willk · 05 February 2017, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

...if the VHF is in use when the AIS wants to transmit, it queues the signal & waits for quiet.

Missus willk must be the VHF to my AIS. I get my message across eventually....

Maximus · 05 February 2017, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

You still using the trusty old lodestone?[emoji1]

...Got the App!

JohnnyMW · 06 February 2017, 09:41

Still debating whether to bite the bullet and install a radome alongside AIS - looking at Lowrance but can't decide on 3G or 4G - price difference £700 any thoughts or experience out there?

willk · 06 February 2017, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyMW

Still debating whether to bite the bullet and install a radome alongside AIS - looking at Lowrance but can't decide on 3G or 4G - price difference £700 any thoughts or experience out there?

LOL - I'm in exactly the same place. I am ordering TX AIS and a 3G radome today. I went with 3G as I really can't "see" the difference the £700 brings. Sure, there are differences, but I want Radar for the shipping lanes and I don't think 4G brings much extra to the table over 3G for a RIB install. Now, if £700 was chump change, I'd buy 4G!

JohnnyMW · 06 February 2017, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

LOL - I'm in exactly the same place. I am ordering TX AIS and a 3G radome today. I went with 3G as I really can't "see" the difference the £700 brings. Sure, there are differences, but I want Radar for the shipping lanes and I don't think 4G brings much extra to the table over 3G for a RIB install. Now, if £700 was chump change, I'd buy 4G!

That exactly where I am reading up on the differences the main advantage of the 4G would appear to be range and the image sharpening - range not a big issue and anything close by will be reasonably clear - £700 is a few tanks of fuel!

taitharris · 06 February 2017, 16:25

It's not quite a RIB story but the value is the same.

I was helming a yacht in a race from Cowes to Weymouth. Whilst out to sea a vast fog descended and the wind died completely. Faced with the prospect of the tide changing and having to spend hours at anchor waiting we decided to retire, start the engine and head for Weymouth and an excellent night out. Engine started, no forward motion? Checked the propellor through the little spy hole and found it was missing! No need for long delays or drama involving the CG. Checked on AIS and found a fellow competitor about 100m away. It turned out that there were boats all about us: we just could not see them without the AIS. He was moving to quickly to be sailing so called him on the VHF and used the AIS to guide him to us, tow rope thrown and we were tugged all the way to Weymouth. Gone dinner and a bracing sail home in a F¾ the next day.

The AIS was the owner's new toy.

Sutty · 06 February 2017, 19:41

Safety equipment is perceived as expensive when you buy it but great value when you need it. I have spent thousands over the years buying flares I didn't need, Insurances I didn't need, PLB that I didn't need etc etc. I have AIS tx & rx and think it is a very useful tool along with Radar if you go offshore. I don't really understand the need to convince her indoors because it surely is for the welfare of the family. I am sure that if you did not have the available equipment fitted and something serious happened to her loved ones she would probably be saying why on earth didn't you buy the equipment.

Last Tango · 06 February 2017, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutty

.. it surely is for the welfare of the family. I am sure that if you did not have the available equipment fitted and something serious happened to her loved ones she would probably be saying why on earth didn't you buy the equipment...

I might try using a version of this at some point.....

j.i.wilson · 13 March 2017, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

that would be a different aspect as well but I suppose your I phone can do that as well and show more than a basic vhf based ais

IPhone can't do same as AIS. iPhone needs GSM signal, AIS doesn't - it uses VHF. Proper AIS is instant, iPhone Ewell take several minutes to update - loads of time to collide!!

breezeblock · 14 March 2017, 13:48

all sorted now I've fitted an icom m506 vhf with ais

Pikey Dave · 14 March 2017, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezeblock

all sorted now I've fitted an icom m506 vhf with ais

You should be able to output the AIS data from your 506 to a compatible plotter, if you have one.

breezeblock · 14 March 2017, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

You should be able to output the AIS data from your 506 to a compatible plotter, if you have one.

done it the only odd thing was the ferry between tarbert and portavadie the arrow pointed the opposite direction to its direction of travel on the chartplotter

SteveHall · 14 March 2017, 14:23

I have AIS receive from my Lowrance Link 8 linked into my HDS units - and find it normally very good - the only thing I really wanted is the functionality to transmit - but not sure I can justify the expense for a dedicated unit.

So I use the iphone app to transmit my location to Marine Traffic's website - so if you looked online it would appear that I have AIS transmit - but this wouldn't show on other boats in the area with VHF AIS.

This way works for me at the moment, I normally am going fast enough to get out of the way for other AIS traffic, I dont normally go out of mobile signal, i have my phone always connected to the sonic hub so its charging, and it keeps the family happy that they can monitor me.