New combination VHF radio, AIS reciever/Hailer

Larry H · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:57 pm Post subject:

If YOU are pushing the red button, you only need one radio as you will have no attention left for chit-chat!

I have come to the same conclusion, that in an emergency, pick one radio for the 'red button push' and turn off the other one.

The actual annoyance factor will be if you are just cruising along and you receive a DSC emergency call. Then both radios will alarm and switch to 16. Having received several 'red button' calls from the Canadian Coast Guard I can say that that alarm is LOUD and WILL get your attention.

To silence the alarm on a Standard Horizon radio, just push any button. I think learning to push any button on both radios won't be that hard to do.

The problem with this alarm and auto channel change is that for some commercial operations, like docking a ship or barge, loss of the operating channel can and has resulted in the assist tugs not getting the proper commands from the pilot in a timely fashion. It may take a shipping disaster for the FCC or Coast Guard to realize that and require a feature to disable auto channel change, at least for commercial operations.

thataway · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject:

Often the tug/pilot/Dock worker traffic is on handhelds--currently many of these do not have DSC. We also have at least two hand helds available at the helm--easy to turn one of these on when the radios alarm.

On the other hand, I have yet to hear a DSC distress call on the Gulf Coast.

Larry H · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:37 pm Post subject:

Bob,

I haven't heard one in US waters in the PNW, but I have heard several in Canada. The Canada Coast Guard uses the DSC alarm to notify boaters when there is someone in trouble and they need assistance. It sure can cause a 'brown trousers' moment the first time it happens. Mine sounds like a French ambulance siren.

I can report that the DSC alarm works, is loud, and gets every boaters attention if they have their DSC VHF on, even if the volume is turned down.

Adeline · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject:

Larry H · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:50 pm Post subject:

Pete,

I appreciate the offer, but if it is that old, I think I will pass.

Perhaps you could give it to someone in exchange for them making a contribution to this site.

Thanks anyway.

hardee · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:14 am Post subject: Sure looking at this system

Just wondering if anybody has set up the Standard Horizon GTX 2l00 with a Raymarine C series and how it is working. I talked to a Electronics tech today who says he has put several of that combination together, and sells both. No discount on VHF, but he would do the install and make sure it works.

I'm thinking of not connecting it to the plotter, and using it as a stand alone AIS which has a nice function: Click on the AIS function, bring up the list on MMSI #'s and dial down through the list. Each click down, highlights the corresponding blip on the AIS screen. Pick the one you want, push the call button and they are "One button dialed".

Problem with that setup is that the VHF still needs GPS input. Need that to be sorted out I guess. If it is not connected to the plotter, GPS info must come from the GPS I guess.

The other option is to hook it up to the plotter and get the display on the plotter. Don't know if you can have both, the VHF display and the plotter display but it might be nice.

Sure looking at this system.

How have they been working? Any problems with the GTX2l00 and the C Series Raymarine? Or any body have it up and working great. Interested in some feedback here.

Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

Larry H · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:37 am Post subject:

Harvey,

I don't have a Raymarine, but I have my GX2100 hooked up to my Furuno 32 GPS and to my computer running Coastal Explorer.

The AIS targets show up on the computer and on the radio and the AIS targets continue to show on the computer even if I do something else with the radio, (as long as the radio is on).

The GX2100 has four colored wires to receive the GPS, and output the AIS signals. The owners manual has a good section on the hookup to various other units.

It was quite a learning curve for me to get all this stuff working together, but now I have the following:

Two DSC VHF radios (one with AIS) connected to the GPS.

The AIS VHf radio connected to the computer.

The computer and the GPS connected to the auto pilot.

I haven't taken the boat out yet for sea trials, but all seems to be working at the dock.

It is pretty cool to see the AIS symbol for the Victoria clipper running at 28 knots move across the chart program on the computer screen.

Even under the shed roof at La Conner marina I am getting AIS signals from up to 15 miles away, even over some hills.

hardee

Still hoping for anybody with a C-Series Raymarine and a Standard horizon GTX 2l00 with AIS working together to chime in here. How are they working together? How did the hookup go? What accessories were needed, if any?
Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

timflan · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject:

Me too. I've finally "bitten the bullet" and acquired an NMEA multiplexer, but I have yet to install it. That should solve all my C-Series networking problems. I think. Smile

Grumpy · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:00 pm Post subject:

Tim,

Let me know how it works out. We have one and it seems to be yet another item that has to be "programmed" via a laptop.

But ...It works.

Merv

hardee · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the responses, I have not considered a multiplexer, (due to cost) but it may be the only option. The electronics tech did not mention that he thought that would be necessary ........ yet Rolling Eyes

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:26 pm Post subject:

Want to revisit this thread too.

The "Is There AIS in the House" thread is here:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?p=180285#180285

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

jimandlaurie · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject:

I like the topic...also looked over the "AIS in the house" topic.. We got our Standard Horizon AIS/VHF this summer and after a lot of wiring headaches got it working with our GPS
antenna , it has worked great... I don't see a need for the fancy stuff. It was my understanding that the CG and other authirities really didn't want the recreational boats having the Class A 2 way stuff because it would crowd the AIS system. Who knows, but we like what we got for sure. The only drawback for us is that our Furuno NavNet is far enough out of date that we can't integrate it with our radar/plotter display.

hardee · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject:

hardee · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:39 am Post subject:

So OK, the fix is in. A Standard Horizon GX2150, and it is working nicely. Rogers Marine did a superb job, and included a switch between the 2 VHF's that points to the active choice for PA hailer and fog functions. Redundancy now for all 3 functions, VHF, hailer and fog. AIS receiver works like it is supposed to. Didn't get to try the one button DSC call function yet, and don't know how the radio sounds compared to the little Raymarine 54, but it worked good enough for the tow captain to hear, understand and talk back.

AIS ranges vary from one mile to 15. Show up on the chart plotter and/or radar display and now have DSC emergency calls show up positioned on the screen.

I can't say enough good about the Rogers Marine crew. Marty K, Jan, Marty B and the installers. All pro's, top of their game. Absolutely the best, and worth the 200 mile+ haul.

Rodgers Marine
503-287-3745
rodgersmarine.com
Portland. Oregon

Harvey
SleepyC Moon