Snider":1m3bw0h5 said:
Get PLB, something like this:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-elec ... gLeIfD_BwE
AIS receiver and display
- Thread starter ssobol
- Start date
Get PLB, something like this:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-elec ... gLeIfD_BwE
colbysmith
Active member
The newer VHF radios have DSC. That is what sends out the emergency signals with the push of one red button. However, for it to work correctly you need to have an MMSI number, which you can register with the government for more than it's worth, or you can get for free through Boat US if you are a member. I do have an AIS transmitter, and it is nice in that it allows others with an AIS receiver to see me. Also needs an MMSI number. Most the newer radios also receive AIS, so you can see other ships and boats that transmit AIS. However, I don't know of any VHF radios that transmit AIS, that's usually a separate transmitter. BTW, some of the VHF radios that have DSC, need to be hooked up to a GPS unit (usually your chartplotter) to work correctly. But I think most the much newer models have an internal GPS so do not need to be connected to anything else. Colby
colbysmith
Active member
To my knowledge, the radios that have an AIS receiver in them, also have a tiny screen that shows the targets. But without hooking it up to a chartplotter, unless you have great eyesight, the radio's screen is really too small to be useful. I have the Standard Horizon 2100. It has DSC and AIS but not an internal GPS, so I have mine hooked up to my Chartplotter. My AIS transmitter is a completely standalone unit, and is basically a cheap GPS with about a 4" screen. It transmits and receives AIS. Since my VHF radio receives AIS signals, and I do not have my AIS transmitter hooked up on a network with my plotters and VHF radio, I actually see myself on my chartplotter, along with any other AIS vessels in the area. (Due to my VHF picking up my AIS transmitter. Where it gets weird, is my VHF recognizes that signal with my MMSI number, so it does not show me as a contact on it's tiny screen, but still repeats the signal to my chartplotter, which does show it...) In any case, I think most of the newer radios with DSC also come with the AIS receiver now days, and it is a great tool when hooked up to a chart plotter. Colby
On my iPhone 6s I downloaded BoatBeacon and TrackaShip Free. Both of them seem to show AIS data that is up to date. They're probably getting it from Marine Traffic which is not free ($4.95?). I've actually eyeballed AIS ships from the shore and found that BoatBeacon was keeping up. (BoatBeacon came as part of a $29.95 package with SeaNavUS and CompassEye. We'll see how well they work. Did this in order to get the free chart access that comes with the package.)
Snider":1ri357di said:
No full distress signal capability unless DSC, with MMSI number is installed. All VHF radios sold in the USA, and FCC certified after March 25 2011 have to have separate channel DSC Ch 70. See the other thread on outfitting a C Dory...
Not all current VHF radios have a GPS receiver--some require the radio to be hooked up to the chart plotter for the GPS signal, even for DSC. Just having the red button does not mean your DSC will function properly...
Here is the image from a S H 2200 screen.
Only the top of the line radios have the AIS receivers--not the majority--and less than half have GPS. Always look at all of the specs before buying a radio--understand what it will and will not do. What you have to do to make it work to its fullest extent. You can buy an older chart plotter for almost nothing, and hook it to your AIS receiver radio. There are 4 wires to connect. You just have to get the correct 4 wires in the right places!.
Snider":3bflcquu said:
Hi Brandon. I see you have some parallel questions running. See the more detailed answer in your other thread. But, Please look at the ICOM M-506 VHF with AIS Receive. It has everything the Standard Horizon does with a bigger screen, a much more user friendly menu, and a Last Call 2 Minute Record feature that is (for me, older, slower ears) super functional, especially in an emergency situation when monitoring vhf 16. The AIS screen shows a target circle with you in the middle, and the AIS vessels are positioned around you in relative position. Usable but much better if you have the AIS output to your plotter.
I have both the Standard Horizon and ICOM side by side in my boat. Much prefer the ICOM. A direct call to an AIS vessel is quicker by a couple of button pushes on the SH radio. For me, not enough reason to choose that one over the ICOM's Last Call Record feature.
AIS in real time via your VHF receiver can be as much as 3 or more minutes faster than AIS over an app on your phone or i pad.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
hardee":1gz0efqv said:
I didn't really mean to hijack this thread, lol, that's why I started a new one. I was interested in that playback feature, I read another thread where you brought that up, I just forgot about it, thanks for reminding me, I'll make a note of it this time.