I am looking at AIS systems and likely to make this one of my winter installation projects.
Can anyone share experience, advice, or information?
Thanks.
Can anyone share experience, advice, or information?
Thanks.
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My Solution
...was Smart Radio's single channel receiver for $190 and an antenna splitter for my back-up nav station VHF. I did use a Radio Shack 9 DB scanner antenna that worked pretty well, usually 5-7 NM range. However, with the splitter on the radar tower 6DB antenna, I have gotten 55 nm range (which is about 5X what you need). I drive it into the (FREE!) Sea Clear navigation software which is driven by NOAA's (FREE!) raster charts on to my Toshiba laptop. Honestly, it is one of my most valued navigation systems on the boat. I got it just to play with, but it has become as important as any other system aboard.
...was Smart Radio's single channel receiver for $190 and an antenna splitter for my back-up nav station VHF. I did use a Radio Shack 9 DB scanner antenna that worked pretty well, usually 5-7 NM range. However, with the splitter on the radar tower 6DB antenna, I have gotten 55 nm range (which is about 5X what you need). I drive it into the (FREE!) Sea Clear navigation software which is driven by NOAA's (FREE!) raster charts on to my Toshiba laptop. Honestly, it is one of my most valued navigation systems on the boat. I got it just to play with, but it has become as important as any other system aboard.
Ross-
From the USCG website:
The FCC recently approved Class B AIS transponders for non-commercial craft. Previously, you could only get AIS receivers, which allowed you to see where AIS equipped boats were, but not provide AIS information to them regarding your boat.
From the USCG website:
Basically uses GPS info and a special purpose VHF transponder to broadcast the MMSI, direction and speed of the boat, similar to what aircraft transponders do for air traffic control.
The FCC recently approved Class B AIS transponders for non-commercial craft. Previously, you could only get AIS receivers, which allowed you to see where AIS equipped boats were, but not provide AIS information to them regarding your boat.
Liam,
I have a Si-tex dual channel (about $200 when I bought it) receiver integrated into my Raymarine E series system. I too love it. the instrument data (SOG, COG speed etc.) is spot on, however anything that is manually input is subject question. system calculates CPA TCPA (closet point of approach and time to closest point of approach) its a valuable avoidance tool.
I have a Si-tex dual channel (about $200 when I bought it) receiver integrated into my Raymarine E series system. I too love it. the instrument data (SOG, COG speed etc.) is spot on, however anything that is manually input is subject question. system calculates CPA TCPA (closet point of approach and time to closest point of approach) its a valuable avoidance tool.
Ditto
As RickD said and as discussed in several post on this board last year, AIS is (IMHO) as significent a nav aid as radar and/or charplotters.
Once you see shipping and most other traffic around you displayed on your chart plotter (during the day,at nght, & in all weather conditions), w/ heading and wake displayed; and info on each contact's point and time of closest approach, as well as other vessel information, you, too, will be a convert.
Rick, I sailed into NYC harbor this past July. It was contact overload ! ! ... But, with ferrys, tugs, and all sorts of other craft rushing around, it proved, once again, to be of tremendous help dodging everything.
I talked w/ the Nobeltec people at the Annapolis Boat show and suggested that they do a software upgrade that would allow color coding of contacts based on vessel type; ie, (let's say) blue for merchant ships, purple for tugs, green for pleasure craft, orange for government vessels, etc. They seemed to like the idea and said that they would pass it along to their software development people.... I also suggested that, with regard to closest point of contact, the software display whether that point is ahead of or astern of the contact; making collision avoidance even easier and more intuitive.
As RickD said and as discussed in several post on this board last year, AIS is (IMHO) as significent a nav aid as radar and/or charplotters.
Once you see shipping and most other traffic around you displayed on your chart plotter (during the day,at nght, & in all weather conditions), w/ heading and wake displayed; and info on each contact's point and time of closest approach, as well as other vessel information, you, too, will be a convert.
Rick, I sailed into NYC harbor this past July. It was contact overload ! ! ... But, with ferrys, tugs, and all sorts of other craft rushing around, it proved, once again, to be of tremendous help dodging everything.
I talked w/ the Nobeltec people at the Annapolis Boat show and suggested that they do a software upgrade that would allow color coding of contacts based on vessel type; ie, (let's say) blue for merchant ships, purple for tugs, green for pleasure craft, orange for government vessels, etc. They seemed to like the idea and said that they would pass it along to their software development people.... I also suggested that, with regard to closest point of contact, the software display whether that point is ahead of or astern of the contact; making collision avoidance even easier and more intuitive.
AIS receiver or transceiver?
So I get it that you have a nice little icon on your plotter that shows you the "cool data" for the commercial ships, what about the recreational boaters?
Also does this show my boat as an icon on other folks plotters? (bet I need an FCC license for that)
It is my understanding that AIS transceivers are available (and very expensive) to all who want them but only required on commercial vessels.
With all that said I still have the requirement to keep a lookout so what is the advantage, I can tell if any boat, not just the commercial AIS equipped, is going to hit me from quite a ways off buy just watching the relative bearing. Radar gets me through the fog and most recreational boater don't go there anyway.
I can just see techno-sailor at the helm steering the boat via autopilot and watching all the little icons while trying to negotiate a crowded harbor. He still has to account for the small boat traffic so why add another layer of data (and power drain) for me to contend with when I can just as easily keep a look out.
don't take this as being critical. There are perhaps some aspects of AIS that make it a smart idea. For instance I am not really interested in reading AIS info but it sounds like a great idea for me to be broadcasting my info to others. Alas there is no AIS transmitter (not transceiver) only model.
So I get it that you have a nice little icon on your plotter that shows you the "cool data" for the commercial ships, what about the recreational boaters?
Also does this show my boat as an icon on other folks plotters? (bet I need an FCC license for that)
It is my understanding that AIS transceivers are available (and very expensive) to all who want them but only required on commercial vessels.
With all that said I still have the requirement to keep a lookout so what is the advantage, I can tell if any boat, not just the commercial AIS equipped, is going to hit me from quite a ways off buy just watching the relative bearing. Radar gets me through the fog and most recreational boater don't go there anyway.
I can just see techno-sailor at the helm steering the boat via autopilot and watching all the little icons while trying to negotiate a crowded harbor. He still has to account for the small boat traffic so why add another layer of data (and power drain) for me to contend with when I can just as easily keep a look out.
don't take this as being critical. There are perhaps some aspects of AIS that make it a smart idea. For instance I am not really interested in reading AIS info but it sounds like a great idea for me to be broadcasting my info to others. Alas there is no AIS transmitter (not transceiver) only model.
Bill-
Unless you have an AIS transponder installed, you do not show up as an AIS icon anywhere.
Be aware that the Class B transponders can easily be filtered out from the AIS displays, which means that it is likely that the big ships will generally have them filtered out...
Unless you have an AIS transponder installed, you do not show up as an AIS icon anywhere.
Be aware that the Class B transponders can easily be filtered out from the AIS displays, which means that it is likely that the big ships will generally have them filtered out...
Re: AIS receiver or transceiver?
Bill, I sail in an area that has heavy shipping traffic. If not, it would not be of much value. I find it a useful tool to calculate crossings; much easier than my radar. I also use it to identify radar targets. I would not want all the recreational traffic to have class B units. It would add huge clutter. It does not substitute in any way for a good watch, just like radar for that matter. Another use is offshore. It helps to figure out what the big light display in the distance is. For example, is it a cruise ship drifting for dinner, or a tanker transferring its cargo, or a tug and a tow, etc. I only wish military would also use AIS transmitters during maneuvers.
Bill, I sail in an area that has heavy shipping traffic. If not, it would not be of much value. I find it a useful tool to calculate crossings; much easier than my radar. I also use it to identify radar targets. I would not want all the recreational traffic to have class B units. It would add huge clutter. It does not substitute in any way for a good watch, just like radar for that matter. Another use is offshore. It helps to figure out what the big light display in the distance is. For example, is it a cruise ship drifting for dinner, or a tanker transferring its cargo, or a tug and a tow, etc. I only wish military would also use AIS transmitters during maneuvers.
last month the FCC approved Class B transcievers
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2008/09/class_b_ais_finally_the_fcc_order.html#more
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2008/09/class_b_ais_finally_the_fcc_order.html#more
This is the company that seems to be one of the early leaders in Class B transponders. They were offering a receiver that could be opened up when the FCC changed the rules. Now that the rules have been changed, I think they are selling the open units directly to USA customers.
http://www.shinemicro.com/
http://www.shinemicro.com/
Steve Dion
I am planning to have the AIS hooked up to a chartplotter. I am considering the new Raymarine A50d plotter. I will have a separate dedicated antena for the AIS mounted on the mast of my SolarStik. I do not plan on using it with my computer. I only use the computer for "pre-voyage" planning and do not use computer underway.
Thanks to all who have responded.
I tried using the search for "AIS" and the result is "no entries found" ???
I am planning to have the AIS hooked up to a chartplotter. I am considering the new Raymarine A50d plotter. I will have a separate dedicated antena for the AIS mounted on the mast of my SolarStik. I do not plan on using it with my computer. I only use the computer for "pre-voyage" planning and do not use computer underway.
Thanks to all who have responded.
I tried using the search for "AIS" and the result is "no entries found" ???
Latitude 38
has a useful article on AIS in this month's edition (Latitude38.com). Among other things, they seem to recommend against having a Class B transponder because they feel it's not worth the additional power drain.
has a useful article on AIS in this month's edition (Latitude38.com). Among other things, they seem to recommend against having a Class B transponder because they feel it's not worth the additional power drain.
Class B ...
I wonder how worthwhile it will be to install a Class B transponder.
Apparently most ships and other commericial traffic may filter out Class B inputs to reduce clutter on their screens. If so, how much good will it do for the "small" boater?
I'll keep (just) my receiver for now...
IMHO, it would be more helpful if commericial fisherman, and boats of over (say prehaps) 60' were required to have class A transponders like all the other big commericial guys.
I wonder how worthwhile it will be to install a Class B transponder.
Apparently most ships and other commericial traffic may filter out Class B inputs to reduce clutter on their screens. If so, how much good will it do for the "small" boater?
I'll keep (just) my receiver for now...
IMHO, it would be more helpful if commericial fisherman, and boats of over (say prehaps) 60' were required to have class A transponders like all the other big commericial guys.
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