AIS-VHF splitter to antenna
- Thread starter Ken13559
- Start date
For about $300 you can get a radio now that has GPS integral and just uses one antenna for the radio and AIS part of the radio. Everything in one unit. I'd go that way if you haven't bought a separate AIS,
Sumner
Edit: I forgot.....do you just want to receive AIS or do you also want to transmit AIS? You would have the DSC if you wanted to tell another boat where you where.
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
I have SH GX2150 VHF with AIS Receiver. All is well and good till now. Authorities are "encouraging" boaters to install AIS transponders so I'm looking to fitting one but don't want to put up another antenna unless I really have to. I've a Shakespear splitter for FM/VHF but was not impress with the FM reception. So was thinking perhaps an active AIS/VHF/FM splitter (like Vesper Marine SP-160) would be better.
I have the earlier GX2100 radio and I'm getting ready to install it in the Mac.
Here is a thread, not sure if you found it before or not and not sure if there is definitive answers on using a splitter or not. I guess take from it what you feel good about...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f141/vesper-marine-ais-121248.html
Are you going with the Vesper XB-8000?
http://www.vespermarine.com/transponders/xb8000-ais-transponder.html/
I've looked at that one and really like it. According to the installation pfd they want a VHF antenna at least 6 to 10 feet off the water and not near another antenna. For the price of the splitter I think I'd mount a second antenna off the stern if possible. Getting it up to 12 feet off the water shouldn't be too hard in most cases (I could do that easily on either of my boats).
Good luck and please report back later with what you did and how it worked out as I for one might also go down this road to use occasionally when I might be in a place where safety would deem it a good choice,
Sumner
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
Finally, I've got the Vesper XB8000 AIS, VA159 AIS/VHF antenna and SP160 Splitter.
VHF, AIS and FM Radio to the splitter which then goes to antenna at mast top.
Wired the SPX-5 Course Computer nmea out to AIS nmea in. Got HDG on the Vesper WatchMate (Andriod). However unable to get DPT, AWA and AWS (depth, app wind angle, app wind speed) as these data is not in nmea out. Looking into adding a Seatalk-nmea mux to get thoise data toAIS/WatchMate.
The Vesper XB8000 works great!!
PS: I got rid of my gpos 12XL and wire the XB8000 nmea out to my GX2150. I can see my boat on the GX2150! Thats nice.
VHF, AIS and FM Radio to the splitter which then goes to antenna at mast top.
Wired the SPX-5 Course Computer nmea out to AIS nmea in. Got HDG on the Vesper WatchMate (Andriod). However unable to get DPT, AWA and AWS (depth, app wind angle, app wind speed) as these data is not in nmea out. Looking into adding a Seatalk-nmea mux to get thoise data toAIS/WatchMate.
The Vesper XB8000 works great!!
PS: I got rid of my gpos 12XL and wire the XB8000 nmea out to my GX2150. I can see my boat on the GX2150! Thats nice.