AIS

[Rick D]

I ordered my AIS receiver from Jack Rabbit Marine (it isn't yet available in this Chandlery). Since I went sailing yesterday, I tried it out temporarily rigged and was very happy with its data. I had lost my old chart plotter program, a victim of MS Vista on my new laptop. So, I downloaded SeaClear and charts from NOAA. SeaClear will support AIS and I am in a heavy traffic area, so I thought it would be helpful. When I set up the Smart Radio AIS 161 single channel unit. I had to pick up a serial to USB converter cable from Radio Shack ($37) and found a high-gain VHF/UHF rubber scanner antenna ($20) while I was there. I figured I'd try it out first since it fitted right on the AIS box and I have room behind the switch panel for both. That way I wouldn't have to use a splitter on one of my VHF antennas or install a third. It worked well enough to pick up signals from ships about five miles away which should be adequate for now. It was necessary to fiddle with the COM settings to get the chart plotter to get both the GPS and AIS signal at the same time, but it did. The ships appeared as ship-shapes at their respective positions on the chart and pointed to their compass angle. To query, I click on a ship, and then go to a menu to display the AIS information.The information is useful. It tells the status (underway, at anchor, at dock, etc) the call signs, name of vessel, size, course, speed, bearing from the yacht, etc. This is good information to have offshore at night and adds a safety element too.So far, so good. Something to consider for cruising in areas with a lot of commercial traffic.Rick D.

 

[RAD]

Rick,

Will this receiver interface with my Garmin 182 chartplotter, looks like a good item to have when going thru NY harbor and surrounding areas where there's a ton of commercial traffic

 

[seadaddler]

Chartplotter????

Hi Rick sounds like a good idea.What chartplotter are you using with the AIS.I have C-80 and ray wants big $$$$ but the one you are using isn't so bad.Nick

 

[Rick D]

Laptop

I am using the Smart Radio AIS to interface on a SeaClear chartplotting program on my Toshiba laptop computer running Windows Vista. I do not believe it will interface with either the Raymarine or Garmin unit dedicated chartplotters mentioned. I usually have the laptop with me and warmed up as a back up to my Raymarine RC70+ chartplotter. I have not tried to interface it with my Furuno 1700 series radar and doubt it would. In any event, it would be a simple matter to take the target information from the radar and look at the laptop to see what the AIS tells me. FWIW, as much as I am very happy with both the Raymarine and Furuno equipment I have had on two boats, I'm done with proprietary electronic equipment. I think the only way to go is with NEMA 2000 senders, simple software on a laptop below and on a weatherproof touch screen above. I don't like the lack of support as networked equipment ages and think the expense for the control heads is way high. There is probably something I am missing with my simple mind, however. Current draw is likely one of them, but may be worth another house battery.Rick D.

 

[RAD]

Just did the research

And few mfg's support AIS for there chartplotters but the lap top is the way to go,part of my winter projects is to set the boat up with a laptop.

 

[Bryce22345]

Rick,welcome to the new world in what's available in defensive navigation. I've had a Si-Tex dual band receiver integrated with both my Raymarine E-120 system and my laptop. I bought the Si-Tex at a boat show for around $200. needed an antenna and cable. I used a stern rail mounted dedicated antenna for AIS. I sail out of Boston area and appreciate the amount of commercial traffic in an area. in addition, we have a number of high speed ferry services operate throughout the area. Si-Tex had an initial problem with they're device when I first integrated it with the Raymarine system, so when I called they're customer service department about the issue, they responded immediately as they already new about the issue and I had a unit that came out before the fix was put into they're production line. they repaired the unit promptly. the dual band receiver is updated ever 30 seconds, max. compared to the every ten minutes, max, for a single band. just a point to consider when looking at the price difference. AIS requires a 34,800 baud rate on the NEMA port and it's probably NEMA 2000 to operate at that speed. they're just way too much data available to operate at a slower speed. it was a pretty easy install. the Coast Guard in our region has issued warnings to mariners to keep they're AIS info accurate. but anything that is from a ships systems, i.e. engine, instruments, navigation etc. is always automated. seadaddler, according to the Raymarine website the C series Raymarine stuff does support AIS. it's great stuff.Bryce

 

[Tom Spohn]

Furuno

I am using a Milltech 161 AIS on my Furuno 1834C gear. The dealer had to upload a revision to the Furuno, but it works like a charm. Furuno recommended to my dealer to not install the Furuno brand AIS!!

 

[Capt. Kermie]

AIS Configuration

Donalex Wrote:"Have been doing this for over 10 years. Can't understand why anybody would buy a chart plotter when they still cannot match the features of even the 10 year old PC based progs ie. prediction of ETA taking tidal flows into account, updating charts insitu etc. Also program plus laptop is much less expensive and future proof at the same time. Yes the computer cannot be at the helm position but then most of the route planning and optimising etc is best done at the nav table anyway" I am new to AIS so I did a bit of basic google search to see what all the hoopla was about. It now appears that it should be an intregal component to my current setup as I also run into more than my share of commercial traffic.I use a handheld Garmin GPS MAP76cs hooked into my Uniden 525 for DSC capability and also a connection to my Raymarine ST4000 Mark2+ autopilot. I can also plug a USB connection to my notebook for live tracking via Garmins' n-route software. Lots of wiring as it is but now I would like to add AIS to it. Does anyone know the optimum, economic, configuration to add to this so that I can have AIS capability?

 

[Rick D]

Some Preliminary Answers

I for one have only used the AIS in a test rigged mode. However IF the Garmin laptop program will support AIS (which I doubt), then you need an available serial or USB port on your laptop, a 12 volt connection to your batteries, a VHF antenna, or splitter or scanner antenna as I used (see original post) and you are good to go. However, the reason I said I doubt your laptop Garmin program will work is because I *assume* it is a planning program and not an actual charting program. Someone will correct me if I am wrong. Good luck, Rick D.PS: I re-read your post and it appears the Garmin program is a 'tracking' program. Check the documentation to see if it will support AIS input.

 

[Tom Spohn]

Nmea

The Milltech 161 output is NMEA 0183. I am not aware of how to connect this to a laptop.

 

[Rick D]

Serial Cable

The AIS receiver connects to the laptop via serial cable or serial to usb adapter cable. RD

 

[Capt. Kermie]

NMEA 0183

Tom:Don't quote me but my guess would be that the AIS unit would connect to the Garmin Unit nmea 0183 connection and then the Garmin would transfer the data via USB to the laptop n-route program - I hope...

 

[Stu Jackson]

AIS Info

Here's a link for those that want to know what AIS can do.Click on the real time ship positions link.