I sail in an area in upper Galveston Bay where there is an intersection of the Bayport Channel and the Houston Ship Channel. The volume of commercial traffic coming in and out of Bayport has increased significantly in recent years. There are places when one is crossing the Bayport Channel where you cannot see far enough up into the channel to clearly see what is coming out.
Therefore, I want to put an AIS receiver to interface with my Garmin 541s Chartplotter. I have a small N2K network for transmitting wind data from my mast head GWind. My current VHF radio is getting Lat/Long for DSC via NMEA 0183. I use the Boat Beacon App, but have had a few times when it was down and "could not see any boats" , but there were several within sight. So I want a bulletproof (not literally) way of receiving AIS.
I have made the determination that the most cost effective way to get AIS data to my chartplotter is to purchase a new VHF with AIS reception built in and N2K capable. I have been looking at the Simrad RS35 and the Lowrance Link 8 they each of pretty decent reviews. (I have read Panbo) I have looked at transponders and AIS receivers but by the time you add a separate antennae or a splitter you are almost in for a boat unit ($1,000). I do not have a burning need to transmit my location these vessels could do little to avoid me if I am silly enough to find myself in their way.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these VHF's or is there another one that you would recommend I look at.
Therefore, I want to put an AIS receiver to interface with my Garmin 541s Chartplotter. I have a small N2K network for transmitting wind data from my mast head GWind. My current VHF radio is getting Lat/Long for DSC via NMEA 0183. I use the Boat Beacon App, but have had a few times when it was down and "could not see any boats" , but there were several within sight. So I want a bulletproof (not literally) way of receiving AIS.
I have made the determination that the most cost effective way to get AIS data to my chartplotter is to purchase a new VHF with AIS reception built in and N2K capable. I have been looking at the Simrad RS35 and the Lowrance Link 8 they each of pretty decent reviews. (I have read Panbo) I have looked at transponders and AIS receivers but by the time you add a separate antennae or a splitter you are almost in for a boat unit ($1,000). I do not have a burning need to transmit my location these vessels could do little to avoid me if I am silly enough to find myself in their way.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these VHF's or is there another one that you would recommend I look at.