Sea-me Radar transponder

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Al - s/v Persephone

Al - s/v Persephone

.
Jun 5, 2004
249
Hunter 36 Newburyport, MA
I've been considering adding the Raymarine receive-only AIS unit to my (Raymarine) chart-plotter system to make my wife more comfortable vis-a-vis shipping hazards. (We have Radar, and with its help survived a couple of near run-us-downs.) However, I ran across a UK supplier of X-band active repeaters at http://www.sea-me.co.uk/ which look like a reasonable low-power solution to helping the other guy see me. (I have a passive reflector, but have heard them to be considered a bit of a joke by big ship officers.) The Sea-me unit won't do anything for big-ship S-band Radar, but supposedly gives a 50-to-60dB enhancement and retransmission to the X-band pings most of us use (like the dragger that almost ran us down in the fog last year in New Bedford Reach). Its power drain is less than leaving my Radar scanner in continuos transmit. Has anyone here had any experience with the Sea-me unit? Any other active reflectors? TIA Al
 
Al - s/v Persephone

Al - s/v Persephone

.
Jun 5, 2004
249
Hunter 36 Newburyport, MA
I've been considering adding the Raymarine receive-only AIS unit to my (Raymarine) chart-plotter system to make my wife more comfortable vis-a-vis shipping hazards. (We have Radar, and with its help survived a couple of near run-us-downs.) However, I ran across a UK supplier of X-band active repeaters at http://www.sea-me.co.uk/ which look like a reasonable low-power solution to helping the other guy see me. (I have a passive reflector, but have heard them to be considered a bit of a joke by big ship officers.) The Sea-me unit won't do anything for big-ship S-band Radar, but supposedly gives a 50-to-60dB enhancement and retransmission to the X-band pings most of us use (like the dragger that almost ran us down in the fog last year in New Bedford Reach). Its power drain is less than leaving my Radar scanner in continuos transmit. Has anyone here had any experience with the Sea-me unit? Any other active reflectors? TIA Al
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
I Think My First Priority Is See...

...rather than be seen. In other words, I'd rather have the AIS to tell me what's around, where it's headed and how fast. Then the active reflector. The thing about a reflector is that it assumes someone is actually watching the monitor and then, in the case of recreational craft, that they know what it is that is displayed. However, it looks to be an interesting addition vs. a passive reflector. Good luck in your decision. Rick D.
 
Rick D

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
I Think My First Priority Is See...

...rather than be seen. In other words, I'd rather have the AIS to tell me what's around, where it's headed and how fast. Then the active reflector. The thing about a reflector is that it assumes someone is actually watching the monitor and then, in the case of recreational craft, that they know what it is that is displayed. However, it looks to be an interesting addition vs. a passive reflector. Good luck in your decision. Rick D.
 
D

Dick

There has been quite a discussion on the

470 owners site about the Raymarine unit. I don't have one but I am in the process of researching like you. Apparantly the Raymarine unit has some problems that are causing long delays in reporting. Raymarine, according to the 470 site, has acknowledged the problem and says a fix is in the works. Most of the 470 owners are going with one of the other class B receivers that are on the market.
 
D

Dick

There has been quite a discussion on the

470 owners site about the Raymarine unit. I don't have one but I am in the process of researching like you. Apparantly the Raymarine unit has some problems that are causing long delays in reporting. Raymarine, according to the 470 site, has acknowledged the problem and says a fix is in the works. Most of the 470 owners are going with one of the other class B receivers that are on the market.
 
B

Buck2796

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Dec 24, 2003
233
- - Va. Beach, Va
I Agree w/ Rick and Dick

(I think) Rick and I both have the Milltech receiver. It works great and is an excellent aid at collision avoidance. You (and your wife) will be FAR happier and safer knowing what nearby ships are doing, rather than hoping they see you and care about your safety (which, generally, they don't). AND, long before you can tell visually, you will know (almost all) neighboring ship's names, speed, heading, etc. You can then call them, by name, to tell them your intention, etc. I, too, have radar; but AIS is much better. It takes the guess work out of figuring out what that contact is doing and where it's going, etc., and gives you much more information as well, all at a very modest cost. It's especially nice to have at night. While sailing in the Bahamas two weeks ago, it helped save me from an impending collision w/ a tanker ~22:00 off Morgans Bluff (Andros Island). Save your money buying the See-me unit and get AIS.
 
B

Buck2796

.
Dec 24, 2003
233
- - Va. Beach, Va
I Agree w/ Rick and Dick

(I think) Rick and I both have the Milltech receiver. It works great and is an excellent aid at collision avoidance. You (and your wife) will be FAR happier and safer knowing what nearby ships are doing, rather than hoping they see you and care about your safety (which, generally, they don't). AND, long before you can tell visually, you will know (almost all) neighboring ship's names, speed, heading, etc. You can then call them, by name, to tell them your intention, etc. I, too, have radar; but AIS is much better. It takes the guess work out of figuring out what that contact is doing and where it's going, etc., and gives you much more information as well, all at a very modest cost. It's especially nice to have at night. While sailing in the Bahamas two weeks ago, it helped save me from an impending collision w/ a tanker ~22:00 off Morgans Bluff (Andros Island). Save your money buying the See-me unit and get AIS.
 
tcbro

tcbro

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Jun 3, 2004
375
Hunter 33.5 Middle River, MD
It has it's place

Buying an AIS system will only tell you where the big ships are. This Sea-Me will make you more visible to those big ships as well as smaller boats that have radar. Buck, you say they (big ships)don't care about your saftey? Well, this might not get them to alter their course but it doesn't take much effort on their part to sent out 5 blasts on the horn to warn you that you are in danger. This is pretty expensive but I think it has it's place. Tom s/v Orion's Child
 
tcbro

tcbro

.
Jun 3, 2004
375
Hunter 33.5 Middle River, MD
It has it's place

Buying an AIS system will only tell you where the big ships are. This Sea-Me will make you more visible to those big ships as well as smaller boats that have radar. Buck, you say they (big ships)don't care about your saftey? Well, this might not get them to alter their course but it doesn't take much effort on their part to sent out 5 blasts on the horn to warn you that you are in danger. This is pretty expensive but I think it has it's place. Tom s/v Orion's Child
 
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