AIS stand alone receiver

C-Val · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 1:45 pm Post subject: AIS stand alone receiver

Hi Everyone

I was given a new Std Horizon VHF last year with built-in gps but no AIS
I want to buy a AIS receiver such as Icom 5000 but they say there is transmission loss of 3.5 dB I don't know how much that means or if I should worry about it.
Should a person install a separate antenna or what are your thoughts?

Thanks
David and Val

BRAZO · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 2:23 pm Post subject:

Prior to our trip up the Inside Passage, we purchased a Matsutec HP-33A 4.3" Color LCD Class B AIS Transponder Combo High GPS Navigator NEW off ebay -- $350 or so.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matsutec-HP-33A-4-3-Color-LCD-Class-B-AIS-Transponder-Combo-High-GPS-Navigator-/252152932114?hash=item3ab57c6712:g:mA8AAOSwdpxUWhTX

We purchased a MDA-3 Sitex MDA-3 Metadata Splitter in order to use the VHF antenna.

We had no noticeable loss in our VHF radio and as we rounded Cape Caution the Canadian Coast Guard hailed us with our AIS name (asking us to look for lost kayakers) - so we know that works.

Great price and worked great.

thataway · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject:

The Icom 500 is a Class B transceiver--that is transmitter and receiver. My personal feeling is that you should install a separate antenna for this. You can put in a splitter, and you may not notice the loss, but there will be some. The second antenna, is cheap insurance that you are getting the best performance from both radios. There are antennas designed specifically for the AIS frequency--rather than the average frequency of general VHF marine receivers.

Wefings · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:51 pm Post subject:

We have had good experience with Vesper and are a dealer .
Totally stand alone .
Marc

C-Val · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:01 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much for your thoughts and input!

To me the collective wisdom of this club is the most
valuable part of owning a C Dory !

hardee · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 1:45 am Post subject:

I am also a firm believer in active AIS (translate that to a full transceiver) and had a Vesper WatchMate Vision installed. It is running through a dedicated Vesper Splitter, which I believe is a powered device so there is no loss. It does share an antenna with one of my VHF's through that splitter. And my favorite thing about the Watchmate is not that it is a touch-screen, but that it has it's own stand alone monitor that has a "shoreline" image which makes visual location very easy. It took some practice to get used to the touch screen but it is working.

I have had this system for 2 seasons now and love it. I have also been hailed by the Canadian Coast Guard as well, and have confirmed with Vessel Traffic on several occasions that they are able to track me (though it is a class B, and I am not sure what system they are using) and I have also confirmed with some ships that they could see me. The ship contacts have usually been in crossing and turning situations where Harro Strait intersects with Juan de Fuca, and I am working to stay out of the way.

Having the AIS has brought up one thing for me I had not thought of ahead of time. The fact that I did not know my FCC radio call sign or my MMSI number of the top of my head. I have been hailed on 16 with my MMSI number, which really took me for a spin, not ever expecting to hear that numbor over the radio. My cure for that issue is a plaque that will have that info where it is my vision at all times.

The space on a C-Dory is quite limited so finding places for separate antennas for everything just didn't work out for me so I have opted to use the splitter as part of the solution. If you do that, be sure it is a good quality and I would recommend the Vesper powered as a satisfied customer.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon