AIS Transponder

[Harry]

I have a 2016 30, it came with the VHF 200 radio. This radio isn't capable of receiving AIS signals. Will a transponder be compatible with this radio or do I have to replace radio to connect a transponder? Thanks H

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[Eric R]

I am also thinking about how to add AIS to my C28.

 

[Wee Venture]

The currently available AIS transponders (such as the Garmin 600) hook directly into your NMEA 2000 network and do not require a radio. They will both send and receive AIS data on their own. The received data can be read directly on your chart plotter. There is a feature, however, that allows you to call a target directly from your chart plotter. Not sure if the Garmin VHF 200 supports this.

John

 

[Cutwater28GG]

there are a number of different ways to go. if you need advice and a recommendations and for where to buy from check out https://www.milltechmarine.com/

 

[MarcoArias]

Hi Harry!

There are several aftermarket AIS receivers and transponders that you can install. At the factory, we are currently installing Vesper Marine's XB-8000 or Garmin's VHF w/ AIS receiving. As noted above, Milltech Marine is a great resource for purchasing any sort of AIS unit that you may be in the market for.

 

[SJI Sailor]

For AIS transmit -- to broadcast your location as opposed to just receiving, although I suppose also just to receive -- you need to connect to a VHF antenna. The usual solution is to install a splitter so the AIS and the radio share a single existing antenna. (Installing a separate antenna is somewhat better, but requires more work and probably a new hole.)

Many AIS devices now have a built in splitter. In that case you just disconnect the antenna cable from the back of the radio, and then connect it to the AIS. Then connect a short new line from the AIS antenna "out" to the radio. The model of the radio itself shouldn't matter, since it only sees a generic antenna. Finally connect the AIS to power and NMEA and you're good.

Sometimes an external GPS antenna is also needed for good GPS reception by the AIS, and they cannot use existing GPS sources for safety and redundancy. Our our C30 with a Garmin 800 AIS, we needed a GPS antenna because the built in GPS receiver in the unit was not sensitive enough when buried in the helm -- but just stashing that GPS antenna in the helm cabinet worked fine, with no need to place it outside. Overall it was easy enough that even I managed to do it 🙂

 

[Harry]

Thanks to all that responded to my question. I now have all the info. I need to make a informed purchase. Very much appreciated. H

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[j&lgray]

We have done two different solutions on two different boats. I offer this to show that the solutions are do-able and the solutions reflect different needs.

On our 40 foot trawler, I wanted to be "seen" by other commercial boats. The Kadey Krogen 39 Pilothouse does 7 to 8 knots and I wanted all parties to be able to avoid close encounters. We did the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay National Park and I wanted the cruise ships, ferries and tugs to know we were out there. When AIS is transmitted, the Vessel Traffic System will see the boat also. So will the Coast Guard, Border Patrol and law enforcement. In fact, I have been called by the Coast Guard to help them because they knew we were in the area of a call. I installed a third party transceiver by Vesper. Straight forward install. Uses the VHF radio antenna because it sends a micro-burst of information every 6 seconds - except when the VHF radio is transmitting. After the install, both the radio and AIS had a lot noise interference. That fix was also easy using advice from a Ham Radio operator - clip on a ferrite collar on the antenna cable.

The second solution was for our Ranger 27, Trilogy (yes, we are two boat owners). I wanted to "see" other AIS boats, especially tugs with barges and ferries. The Ranger 27 is so agile (speed and shallow draft) that we could easy move to avoid issues. So, being seen was not a requirement for me. I replaced the Garmin radio with one that received AIS signals. Hooking it into the NEMA backbone was easy and doing so showed the AIS vessels on the Garmin chart plotter.