Adding AIS Transmitter to RT-31S with VHF 215 AIS

[Sea-X]

My Ranger Tug 2021 was delivered with a Garmin VHF 215 AIS, I'm looking to add a transmitter. Would the Garmin AIS 800 Transceiver conflict with the fact that my VHF already has AIS receiver built-in? Should I look for other options? Thanks

 

[jlhowland]

I would recommend a call to Garmin customer support. They are pretty good with answering these types of questions.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Always a good idea to call Garmin. I don't see why they would have a conflict. Both are essentially separate VHF radios (that may or may not share the same antenna). They wouldn't talk to each other. If there's a conflict it may be in your chart plotter. If your AIS 215 presents AIS targets on your chart plotter and the AIS 800 does the same, then you'd have two presentations for a single target. I'm presuming that you can turn off that function fo the VHF 215 either at the radio or on the chart plotter. Again, Garmin tech support would be able to answer those kind of questions.

 

[Rocky]

I installed an AIS 800 in my 2018 R29. The only thing I needed to do with the current VHF was to go into the menu and turn off the AIS Receive capability. The AIS800 obviously does both, so turning off the receive on the radio prevents duplicate returns showing on the plotter.

I hope that helps.

Rocky

 

[Sea-X]

Thanks everyone for the prompt reply, I'll give Garmin a call. Also agree that turning off the AIS function on the VHF would avoid any conflict.