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07-31-2017, 11:42 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Ais
It seems about time to install AIS on my trawler. At one time, I was considering a receive only unit or a new VHF with AIS receive capability.
I am beginning to lean towards a transceiver at this point but haven't made a decision.
So, what are people's thoughts on transceiver vs. receive only?
What are your favorite brands and model numbers to interface with Garmin MFDs?
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07-31-2017, 12:29 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Bayview
Vessel Name: Puffin
Vessel Model: Willard Vega 30
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,444
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Garmin AIS 600. Seamless integration into your N2K network. There is one for sale on the Seattle Craigslist for $700.00 complete. I already have one or it would be mine!
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What kind of boat is that?
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07-31-2017, 12:37 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
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We have both- Rx only thru a Standard Horizon radio, and Tx/Rx via an EmTrak B100.
I prefer the EmTrak, as I can control it via a computer interface.
The Garmin unit above may be the way to go, as it should not need a standalone PC/Mac interface for control.
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!
1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
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07-31-2017, 12:39 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,093
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Transceiver all the way. AIS is only as good as the number of boats transmitting.
It's not always a welcome view point, but I think receive-only is only being a Taker from the system. With a transceiver, you are a Giver and a Taker. Please be a Giver too.
With the exception of Furuno, I think all the industry's AIS devices are made b SRT. Their own brand is Emtrak. It's very rare that I recommend West Marine for anything, but their price on the Emtrak Class B AIS was the best around about a year ago. I think the model is the B100 or maybe he B200.
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MVTanglewood.com
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07-31-2017, 12:42 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana
We have both- Rx only thru a Standard Horizon radio, and Tx/Rx via an EmTrak B100.
I prefer the EmTrak, as I can control it via a computer interface.
The Garmin unit above may be the way to go, as it should not need a standalone PC/Mac interface for control.
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That may be true. But the PC interface is typically used only once or twice for initial setup.
Do you use it on a regular basis, and if so, what for?
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MVTanglewood.com
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07-31-2017, 01:12 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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The way I understand it is, that it must be set up professionally for the individual boat before being shipped to the purchaser.
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07-31-2017, 01:28 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
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Wes, we have receive only integrated with our Raymarine chart plotter. I really like having it. However, I really want to get a transceiver. I have yet to figure out how I am going to add it however. I have two VHF radios on the boat now. I may just continue to use the AIS receiver that I have since it is integrated into my my RM system. I could then upgrade one of my VHF radios to one of the new radios with the integrated AIS transceivers. This would give me the Tx ability without the hassle of trying to integrate a transceiver into the RM system, which sounds like a pain.
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07-31-2017, 01:47 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Cofer
The Garmin can be set up by the user.
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I'm talking about a USA law requiring them to be set up before delivery to the end user.
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07-31-2017, 01:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: Bellingham, WA
Vessel Name: Excellent Adventure
Vessel Model: 1995 Jefferson Ker Shine 45
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 395
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FCC requires units sold in the USA to be programmed before being delivered to the end user. This is supposedly in place because we are too stupid to do it ourselves, however the information they (the seller) inputs is what WE give them. Go figure.
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07-31-2017, 02:00 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wwestman
FCC requires units sold in the USA to be programmed before being delivered to the end user. This is supposedly in place because we are too stupid to do it ourselves, however the information they (the seller) inputs is what WE give them. Go figure.
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Many of us apparently are that stupid. Many boaters have not set up their DSC information so when the CG gets an emergency signal, it doesn't tell them anything.
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07-31-2017, 02:15 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WesK
I'm talking about a USA law requiring them to be set up before delivery to the end user.
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You are correct about that law. When I have purchased, it's been an extra step, but not a huge deal. Interestingly, when I bought the EmTek from west marine, they never asked for the programming info.
Either way before buying, I'd suggest reviewing how you will interface it to the Garmin, and confirm Garmin can support it as you expect. If you have an existing N2K network and Garmin can support AIS that way (which they probably can), you can just connect the AIS and garmin that way and it's pretty simple. If you need to a NMEA 0183 interface on the Garmin, be sure one is available and that it supports AIS.
Also remember that there is a GPS mushroom that has to be installed and of course the VHF antenna. If you can swing it, I highly recommend a dedicated AIS antenna rather than messing with a splitter. It might seem harder to install, but maybe not as much as you think. Installing the splitter takes time, they are relatively expensive, and you need to get power to it as well. And you will get better results from both your AIS and your VHF with separate antennas.
Good luck with the project!
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MVTanglewood.com
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07-31-2017, 02:22 PM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,191
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We have a transciever on our boat. Crossing Lake Ontario in a heavy rainstorm that literally was a white out on the radar, we were able to see and be seen by 2 600'+ ships. One was on a collision course with us. As I was getting ready to call the ship, he called us by name and asked us our intentions. We told him our intentions and he replied that he would change course to pass around our stern. We were not able to see him on radar, but did pick him up on AIS. More importantly he saw us since we were transmitting.
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07-31-2017, 02:33 PM
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#13
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Veteran Member
City: Portland
Vessel Model: Tollycraft 40 Sport Sedan
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 55
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I have the Si-Tex MDA 1 Class B Transceiver. New they are just over $500 and can integrate with NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000. Works nicely with my Garmin chartplotters and tablet with Coastal Explorer.
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Rob
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07-31-2017, 02:37 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: New England and Canada to Florida
Vessel Name: Tadhana
Vessel Model: Helmsman 38 Pilothouse
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 596
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We have had a transceiver for nearly 5 years of full time cruising on the east coast from New England to Florida. On several occasions ships were able to contact us directly to alert us to their intentions. AIS works very well in rivers and canals when radar may not identify a target on the other side of a point or a bend in th ecanal Many other times we have contacted contact a ship or a tug and barge in the ICW. They immediately know to whom they are talking. I do not understand why one would not want to transmit their position to other vessels. Our Sitex AIS has the ability to silence the transmitter. So if you want to be in stealth mode you can. I agree with the suggestion to have a stand alone AIS antenna. A splitter is expensive and may degrade the VHF signal.
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07-31-2017, 03:09 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedtree
That may be true. But the PC interface is typically used only once or twice for initial setup.
Do you use it on a regular basis, and if so, what for?
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To turn the Tx on or off, and to monitor the state of the system.
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!
1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
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07-31-2017, 04:05 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Seabrook, Texas
Vessel Name: Small World
Vessel Model: Defever 50
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 611
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For me its a no-brainer to have a transceiver. The incremental cost is negligible and we have found several times that the additional safety margin has been important.
Paul
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07-31-2017, 04:13 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drake
For me its a no-brainer to have a transceiver. The incremental cost is negligible and we have found several times that the additional safety margin has been important.
Paul
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The cost is not incremental, it's double or more. Still, for a boat part, that's not much.
The VHF radio with built in AIS receive is a pretty simple install. Remove and replace and just two wires to the MFD. It gets more complicated with a separate unit. There are two antennas to install (one to buy, one included), power to run and the connection to the MFD.
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07-31-2017, 04:22 PM
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#18
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,153
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90 percent of the targets most of us might run into arent broadcasting either.
If doing the loop or running tbe Western Rivers, I would install one.
Better to be good with radar than compacent with AIS.
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07-31-2017, 04:26 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana
To turn the Tx on or off, and to monitor the state of the system.
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Got it, thanks. Just so others are aware, most, if not all AIS devices have provisions to wire an external mute switch. So if that's important to you, it can be done without the PC interface.
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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07-31-2017, 04:43 PM
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#20
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld
90 percent of the targets most of us might run into arent broadcasting either..
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This is very true, especially the 50' sportfish that just went by throwing a six foot wake. The one you want to call out by name and give him a courtesy lesson on channel 16 for all to hear. But, I'm planning a trip to and through New York Harbor where the big dogs play. Also, friends and family will be able to monitor my progress on the Internet.
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