has anyone tried one of the new Standard Horizon radios that have integrated GPS and AIS mounted below decks. My existing VHF works fine but may be as old as the boat. We are going to be making a run along the coast and there is appeal to having both dsc and ais capability aboard. I am worried about the gps relying on an internal antenna for its signal.
Standard Horizon with AIS below deck
- Thread starter MLampner
- Start date
Not sure of your set-up, but my GPS-enabled radio receives sat data just fine when swung back under the deck.
The AIS uses your VHF antenna, so location below deck shouldn't affect that function. GPS may be different, depending on the model of radio. From the GX-2200 Owner's Manual:
"A GPS receiver and antenna of the GX-2200 is located in the front panel...it is recommended to temporarily connect the radio to power and turn it on in the location where it will be [flush] mounted to confirm it is able to receive a GPS location on its display. If the radio is not able to receive a location, a GPS chart plotter with NMEA 0183 output or the optional Standard Horizon external GPS antenna may be needed to receive GPS satellite signals."
"A GPS receiver and antenna of the GX-2200 is located in the front panel...it is recommended to temporarily connect the radio to power and turn it on in the location where it will be [flush] mounted to confirm it is able to receive a GPS location on its display. If the radio is not able to receive a location, a GPS chart plotter with NMEA 0183 output or the optional Standard Horizon external GPS antenna may be needed to receive GPS satellite signals."
Just installed a GX2200. In testing, 2 our of 3 times, the internal GPS picked up the satelites quickly and it began send AIS string to my chartplotter. One time, it beeped and displayed a message that it was using the alternate GPS source (the "out| from my GPS). It is mounted at my nav table, somewhat under the breaker panel, so it might be a little sheltered from GPS, but I also mount my chartplotter in the same location at the nav table when sleeping on board at night, and never have a problem getting a GPS lock.
So, when properly connected to a GPS/chartplotter, it appears smart enough to use either the internal GPS or GPS data from a connected NMEA source automatically.
So, when properly connected to a GPS/chartplotter, it appears smart enough to use either the internal GPS or GPS data from a connected NMEA source automatically.
Many Thanks
Sounds like its worth a gamble, right now the only GPS routinely aboard are either handhelds or my ipad so if it can't see the sky adequately from above the Nav Station on 1977 30 I will go with the outside GPS antenna. Actually with any luck hopefully the plug on my old Garmin chart plotter's antenna that dies after a lightening strike several years ago will fit. We know the antenna survived as we have used it once or twice with the handhelds below deck and they got the fix fast where often they could not do so with their internal antenna.
Sounds like its worth a gamble, right now the only GPS routinely aboard are either handhelds or my ipad so if it can't see the sky adequately from above the Nav Station on 1977 30 I will go with the outside GPS antenna. Actually with any luck hopefully the plug on my old Garmin chart plotter's antenna that dies after a lightening strike several years ago will fit. We know the antenna survived as we have used it once or twice with the handhelds below deck and they got the fix fast where often they could not do so with their internal antenna.
Won't be an issue for me. At this time none of my existing equipment is networkable. My expectation over the remainder of my ownership is it will remain that way. At the wheel I rely on an iPad as the chart plotter. As I retire in three years and plan to relocate to Delaware's Atlantic Coast much as I love her she will be the wrong boat for the environment. The local bays are way to shallow for a fixed keel and dockage would need to be at least 45 minutes either side of home without traffic and at high season it is easily an hour.
I am planning to go to a sailing kayak. As the wife does not enjoy the boat all that much bearing the cost and only being able to use her occasionally seems silly My hope is I will find her someone who will love her as much as I have. The sailing Kayak will be easy to store better exercise and far less to worry about.
None the less the new radio will greatly enhance our safety on the limited coastal cruising we do, particularly where we need to travel near the main shipping channels in Delaware bay and the Chesapeake.
I am planning to go to a sailing kayak. As the wife does not enjoy the boat all that much bearing the cost and only being able to use her occasionally seems silly My hope is I will find her someone who will love her as much as I have. The sailing Kayak will be easy to store better exercise and far less to worry about.
None the less the new radio will greatly enhance our safety on the limited coastal cruising we do, particularly where we need to travel near the main shipping channels in Delaware bay and the Chesapeake.
do you even need DSC or AIS?
Roll call please, how many Captains have actually used DSC for anything useful or received a call from someone using the DSC functions?
As for AIS, I'm sure it has its uses but you still have to keep a lookout and range and direction of travel are not like the hardest things to learn. I'd invest in a better set of binos personnaly.
Roll call please, how many Captains have actually used DSC for anything useful or received a call from someone using the DSC functions?
As for AIS, I'm sure it has its uses but you still have to keep a lookout and range and direction of travel are not like the hardest things to learn. I'd invest in a better set of binos personnaly.
When DSC Was New...
However, AIS is really helpful to me when transiting busy shipping channels and harbors and has saved time and aggravation at night, to say nothing about a couple of times it (helped) identify some threats which were initially identified on radar. The AIS helped confirm the threat and provided the call signs and vessel name for contact and avoidance planning. Of course, it also provides the DSC code, but I'd have to crack the manual to figure out how to input it and contact by name via 16 was successful. When I'm feeling flush again and get caught up on more immediate projects, I will install a class B although one with an on-off switch since it can be annoying having all those private vessel class B's transmitting in clear daylight and cluttering up the landscape in congested areas (IMHO).
...members of my YC would keep a list of codes and call each other using DSC. After a couple of years, people tired of it and since you're supposed to monitor 16 anyway, people quit using DSC. I don't know anyone who uses it now. I am also suspect that crew would actually remember how to use it in an emergency despite orientations.
However, AIS is really helpful to me when transiting busy shipping channels and harbors and has saved time and aggravation at night, to say nothing about a couple of times it (helped) identify some threats which were initially identified on radar. The AIS helped confirm the threat and provided the call signs and vessel name for contact and avoidance planning. Of course, it also provides the DSC code, but I'd have to crack the manual to figure out how to input it and contact by name via 16 was successful. When I'm feeling flush again and get caught up on more immediate projects, I will install a class B although one with an on-off switch since it can be annoying having all those private vessel class B's transmitting in clear daylight and cluttering up the landscape in congested areas (IMHO).
That has been my experience too Don. Great idea that simply is too hard to use routinely to be of any use whatsoever. Just a lot easier to monitor 16 (since you have to anyway) and make a call then switch to the working freq or just set the radio to dual watch on 16 and the working freq.
Never used the DSC functions, but I have the GPS interfaced with the VHF in case I ever have to use distress function. Don't have AIS, but I do have radar, which I use in foggy weather or at night. Nothing beats good watch-keeping.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-antenna-work-under-sailboat-deck-122313.html
Similar question. Short version, I took my 2200 out to the Hurley 22 on the trailer, hooked it up everywhere inside the boat I could, and was able to pick up a GPS lock within 30 seconds everywhere inside, many times even quicker. That's against a small treeline, and under tarps. You should be fine
Similar question. Short version, I took my 2200 out to the Hurley 22 on the trailer, hooked it up everywhere inside the boat I could, and was able to pick up a GPS lock within 30 seconds everywhere inside, many times even quicker. That's against a small treeline, and under tarps. You should be fine
I agree regarding DSC it may be helpful if one can remember how in a disaster but it is the AIS I am most interested in. I agree keeping watch is still critical but there are a few choke points on the bay where one must cross the channel. When we race if it takes us to one of these and winds are light at night it will be a great tactical aide. It also can be useful in lower Delaware Bay where fog can come up suddenly there is heavy traffic and not an over abundance of safe anchorages.
We have never really had a problem and are always under power in that situation but it should be helpful. The bigger threat down there are other small craft which unfortunately more likely than not will not be carrying a unit but you can only do what you can.
We have never really had a problem and are always under power in that situation but it should be helpful. The bigger threat down there are other small craft which unfortunately more likely than not will not be carrying a unit but you can only do what you can.