Hello everyone. First post here so hoping for the best. I have a 25 and would like to add the 5 watt ais system. That’s easy enough if you write a check but I’m hoping to get it internal to a vhf radio. I haven’t found any. Are they out there? Should I just get the separate units? I will be attempting (key word there) to link it all to my garmin chartplotter via nmea2k. Thanks.
B+/B2 ais
- Thread starter MaxDad
- Start date
Do you want to transmit AIS or just receive AIS info from others?
There are a number of VHF fixed mount radios that receive AIS and can display on a plotter.
There are starting to be VHF radios with AIS transmit. B&G V60-B is one (~$1200).
https://www.passagemaker.com/trawler-news/first-ever-vhf-radio-to-allow-send-receive-ais
There are other AIS capable VHF radios they can control an AIS xmitter, but the AIS transmitter is a separate unit.
Usually, these installations require two antennas.
There are a number of VHF fixed mount radios that receive AIS and can display on a plotter.
There are starting to be VHF radios with AIS transmit. B&G V60-B is one (~$1200).
https://www.passagemaker.com/trawler-news/first-ever-vhf-radio-to-allow-send-receive-ais
There are other AIS capable VHF radios they can control an AIS xmitter, but the AIS transmitter is a separate unit.
Usually, these installations require two antennas.
Jim,
I would just get the separate AIS B+ unit. (We covered the difference between B and B+ in another post--but the B+ has higher power, adjusts frequency of updates according to boat speed, and have regular time slots.)
B + is "Self Organised Time Division Multiple Access" (SOTDMA), which enables them to negotiate with other Class A transponders to reserve a time slot and book future ones. Class B transponders use a different technology called Carrier Sense Time Division Multiple Access (CSTDMA) and only transmit when there is an opening.
I advocate a dedicated antenna which is turned to the AIS channel specifically. Although the splitters appear to work, there will be times that there would be loss of the AIS when transmitting on the VHF.
I would just get the separate AIS B+ unit. (We covered the difference between B and B+ in another post--but the B+ has higher power, adjusts frequency of updates according to boat speed, and have regular time slots.)
B + is "Self Organised Time Division Multiple Access" (SOTDMA), which enables them to negotiate with other Class A transponders to reserve a time slot and book future ones. Class B transponders use a different technology called Carrier Sense Time Division Multiple Access (CSTDMA) and only transmit when there is an opening.
I advocate a dedicated antenna which is turned to the AIS channel specifically. Although the splitters appear to work, there will be times that there would be loss of the AIS when transmitting on the VHF.
First, this is such a unbelievably helpful site. Kudos to all who contribute. I feel like part of a community. Second, I do want to transmit as well as receive. I was caught out in some fog recently and while I knew where I was and knew I was reasonably safe, it sold me on the ais idea. I think I’ll get the separate units. Even the B & G unit for $1200 only transmitted at the lower 2 watt level. While I’m inquiring about things, do folks find that 2 minute playback feature on some vhfs to be helpful. I’m mostly boating by myself so I may be distracted when something gets said. Seems like I just answered my own question. Again thanks to everyone’s efforts in keeping this site alive and vibrant.
I have never used a "playback" feature on a VHF, but I can imagine some usefulness. If there is an emergency, I want to hear the full conversation, and in many urgent situations, the GC takes the parties off VHF channel 16 to channel 22.
Also I almost always have 2 VHF radios on at a time. One could be a handheld. I had a situation where there was a "security" announcement on each side of a narrow stretch of ICW. I transmitted on 16, while the tug transmitted on 13, and visa versa, so that neither of us knew the other was coming to this narrow place. My boat was 62' long with 7' draft, and the tug was pushing a barge. I had to back up a few hundred yards (single screw sailboat) and put the boat as close to the shoal area as I could, so the tug and barge could squeeze by. It would have been much better to have either waited, or pulled out in a wider section of the ICW. Also when in the area with gill netters or some other fishing boats--I can still keep my watch on 16 and communicate on at working channel.
Unfortunately not all working boats keep their AIS on, I saw a couple of tugs on radar on the Mississippi River which did not have AIS running one foggy morning. So radar is also a very good thing to have. Also a good radar should pick up small images, even kayaks, (not always). In any case we always go slow in poor visability.
Also I almost always have 2 VHF radios on at a time. One could be a handheld. I had a situation where there was a "security" announcement on each side of a narrow stretch of ICW. I transmitted on 16, while the tug transmitted on 13, and visa versa, so that neither of us knew the other was coming to this narrow place. My boat was 62' long with 7' draft, and the tug was pushing a barge. I had to back up a few hundred yards (single screw sailboat) and put the boat as close to the shoal area as I could, so the tug and barge could squeeze by. It would have been much better to have either waited, or pulled out in a wider section of the ICW. Also when in the area with gill netters or some other fishing boats--I can still keep my watch on 16 and communicate on at working channel.
Unfortunately not all working boats keep their AIS on, I saw a couple of tugs on radar on the Mississippi River which did not have AIS running one foggy morning. So radar is also a very good thing to have. Also a good radar should pick up small images, even kayaks, (not always). In any case we always go slow in poor visability.
colbysmith
Active member
First, I think many times it's best not to put all your eggs in one basket. IE, if the main unit goes bad, you lose everything in it. AIS transceivers are small enough and take up very little room. And can be connected via NMEA 2000 or the older tiny wire system to your chartplotter so as to show targets on it. I think you'll be paying less for an AIS transceiver and VHF radio separately, than one combined unit.
I hear you about the fog. I like transmitting AIS so the larger commercial boats can see me on the rivers and Great Lakes. And for following by others that have receivers. AIS was very useful for me several years ago on the Columbia River when I was in the lead of several other boats traveling in the fog around Portland. It also came in handy in June when I was back on the Columbia, to track some very large military vessels heading to the festival in Portland. And I've used it numerous times on the Mississippi River. However, just two days ago I had fog roll in with very poor visibility. (100 ft). I was out on Lake Michigan fishing with about a dozen other boats. Most of which did not have radar, and none that had AIS showing. It was my own radar that helped me navigate around them. Which also brings up, know how to use your radar. Use it during good visibility times as well, and don't be afraid to play with the various tuning knobs on it. In this particular situation, my Radar was my best electronic. (I doubt most those other boats had any AIS receivers either.) AIS is a great tool, but not something I would bet my life on. Colby
starcrafttom
Active member
Always radar first over AIS. Radar will show you what is close to you and that is what is going to hit you first. Why put your faith in others having AIS or radar when you can have radar that shows every thing with in a mile.? Ais is nice but only as a back up to radar or as a long distance looking glass.
I have seen fishing boats going 40 in the fog on my radar and stopped so they could go by, they were looking as their chart plotter with no radar. I have gone around kayaks I have seen on radar in the fog. I even use radar in the bright sun when its in my eyes and I can not see in the glare, thats a good but seldom used uses for radar.
The best use for AIs is to track whale boats and fishing guides from home on days I cant go fishing.
colbysmith":1xjgmext said:
In the fog, it's not the big boats/ships I worry about. It's the other numbnuts out there with smaller boats that you have to watch out for. They are unlikely to be receiving or transmitting AIS and are more likely to be doing stupid things in the fog.
colbysmith
Active member
Like fishing right in front of the narrow harbor opening!
MaxDad":3is1o3od said:
MaxDad, You hit the nail on the head. Yes, Radar (Use as described above, use it and keep it on so you can understand what you see on the screen and how it relates to what is around you.
Also, cheap and easy, a radar reflector. The 10 inch round disc increased your radar return by about 50%.
The ICOM, M-506 is my favorite VHF for having multiple plusses. The last call, 2 minute record feature, (which I have used several times as an advantage to situational awareness), the AIS receive, the hailer/auto fog horn and all that with a very easy, user friendly menu function. With the NEMA 2K you sill be able to put the AIS targets onto your Garmin screen and that makes life way easier. (BTW, the M-506 also has the largest screen IF you are going to use that screen for monitoring AIS targets.)
Tom is right, the radar will pick up the closets hazards to you, and they can be immediate threats, BUT, the AIS will pick up the biggest targets, and they an cover a fair distance very quickly, and can be equally or more so, deadly. AIS and Radar are the winning hand.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
starcrafttom
Active member
Zuum call your congress member and demand that all fishing charters require AIS, you know for safety. :lol:
All the digital radars are pretty good now. hell in comparison to 20 years ago they are magic. I like to use mine as a over lay on my chart plotter. Not as a stand alone screen. Just have to look at one screen that way and it helps you to learn what you are looking at.
All the digital radars are pretty good now. hell in comparison to 20 years ago they are magic. I like to use mine as a over lay on my chart plotter. Not as a stand alone screen. Just have to look at one screen that way and it helps you to learn what you are looking at.
colbysmith
Active member
AIS isn't something to badmouth. It does have it's place on the water. I'm happy I have mine, and it has come in handy a number of times. Not just the receive, but the transmit as well. That being said, if someone asked me which is more important if they could only pick one, I wouldn't hesitate to say radar. No matter how you cut it, in the fog, until every boat out there has an AIS transmitter, radar will by far outweigh AIS. Assuming you know how to use it (the radar). Several times on Lake Michigan, and once on the Columbia River, it was the radar that saved my bacon. That's when fog rolled in so thick that visibility was barely 100', if that. And because I've used my radar in visual conditions as well, I'm familiar with it's operation and what it can pick up. Just my additional two cents. BTW, if I never ran or got caught in the fog, then maybe I'd put a little more weight on my AIS...:wink: For now I'm happy I have both! Colby
gulfcoast john
New member
We agree with Colby.
If you're going to cruise as much as they do, both AIS B+ AND RADAR is a good combo for safety and security.
Wow, if you could only choose one, we might choose AIS B+ and never venture out in the fog. Close call and your call.
Safe Travels!
John
If you're going to cruise as much as they do, both AIS B+ AND RADAR is a good combo for safety and security.
Wow, if you could only choose one, we might choose AIS B+ and never venture out in the fog. Close call and your call.
Safe Travels!
John
For me it would be a hard choice. If I never boated in the fog some times it might be a week hangin out waiting, or said another way, What makes the fog go away is wind, so I kind of prefer the fog. However, I have had times when the radar was the champ, and times when the AIS was the champ, so skip the DQ delights, make your own starbucks at home, and put the $$ saved into the coffee can at home until you can get the other half of the navigation safety package. :lol:
As a side note, on the new, doppler radar, the MARPA, CPA and TCPA are much easier to run and quicker to find. Takes some of the pressure off not having that AIS 2 click info.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
As a side note, on the new, doppler radar, the MARPA, CPA and TCPA are much easier to run and quicker to find. Takes some of the pressure off not having that AIS 2 click info.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Was caught in fog out on the CA delta between benicia and pittsburg. Not in the main channels though - so no commercial traffic. But tons of small boats fishing for sturgeon/striper (most just anchored due to the fog). Really tough conditions and what made me go ahead and get radar. If I had one to pick it would be radar. I know most of these small craft do not have any AIS.
With no AIS, I just tend to stay out of the commercial lanes anyway.
With no AIS, I just tend to stay out of the commercial lanes anyway.
There is a big difference in having "no" AIS and having the receive half vs the active AIS) or transponder. Having AIS receive is as simple as adding, or having an updated VHF with that function. Having the receive function allows you to :
1. Stay out of the way of the commercial traffic
2. Communicate with them to arrange passing so you are both aware of the situation.
3. See commercial and or big boat traffic and allow you to make as much clearance as you need for the oncoming wake (because you now know the oncoming vessel size, speed and how close they will be to you and when that will be.)
Just my thoughts.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
