VHF Radio Location

Ard":1rmcdbiw said:
Personally, I am a Amazon power shopper. However, I find they almost never have the best deals on marine electronics.

I've used Hodges Marine several times with excellent customer service. Their price on the AIS 300 is $50 below the amazon price. http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Garmin-Ais-300-Automatic-Identification-System-Rec-p/gar010-00892-00.htm
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THREE thumbs up for Hodges. I bought a gamin MFD and autopilot for a previous boat. Recently bought an AP for my 21EC too. Hodges generally has BEST price on internets for all of it.

I have no personal, financial or other interest in Hodges...just trying to help my fellow Tugnuts get a better deal

Dave
 
knotflying":1shddug1 said:
Was the AIS power supply easy to connect up ? - Has its own fuse, so ran lead right to positive power main and negative to buss
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Can you indicate where you connected the lead to the positive power main and the negative to the buss ? Since you installation worked I want to follow your exact steps. 🙂
 
Baz,
The amazon links are correct. I found that some suppliers are less expensive, but when you add in shipping costs it works out to be the same or sometimes more.
As far as the power connection goes I just attached to the main positive terminal powering the buss and then one of the negative terminals on the buss.
I did not have to update any software on the VHF 200 for the mic. I did not have to update anything on the 5212 either for the AIS.
 
Mike:
Thanks for those pieces of info.

I'm still toying between GHS 10 and the GHS 20/GWH 20 bundle. I like the idea of being able to use the handset anywhere on the boat and the passive speaker will be good to jabber with 1st mate who likes to rest up in the V-berth while we cruise about. Shouting I find is kind of awkward and insulting as 1st mate is hard of hearing.

I like the idea of simply locating the GWH 20 behind the VHF 200 with a single connection (much like the GHS 10 handset does) but having the handset freed from a fixed location. I'm researching some more as it appears there's a software update required for the VHF 200 radio for using the GWH 20, and it could be awkward if the radio has to be sent to Garmin for this update.

Here's what I've found on this subject...dated 9/8/2011
What will happen if the GWH 20 is connected to a VHF radio that has not been updated?

The GHS 20 is a wireless handheld that can connect to Garmin VHF 200, VHF 300, and VHF 300 AIS radios. The GWH 20 is the wireless hub that connects to the VHF radio that provides this wireless capability. In order to properly communicate with the GWH 20 and the GHS 20, the VHF radio requires a software update. This software update can only be installed by Garmin or by an authorized servicing dealer.

If the GWH 20 is connected to the VHF radio before the required software update is installed, the radio may immediately dispatch a distress call. This signal will be received by the coast guard and any boats in the area. To stop this call from transmitting, power down the VHF radio and remove the GWH 20. (If a distress call has been transmit, it is recommended you power the radio back on and contact the coast guard to cancel the distress call.)

To correct this issue and ensure that the VHF radio is compatible with the GWH 20 and GHS 20, please contact Garmin to set up a Return Material Authorization (RMA) to update the software in the VHF radio.

I've found the GHS 10 for around $159 and the GHS 20/GWH 20 'bundle' for around $308 at this point.

I've also located a Garmin AIS 300 for $390. 🙂 I have my ProSafe Galvanic Isolator where you've installed your AIS. So if I were to use the same location for my AIS it would need to be placed alongside the GI, and there's room for it. Only trouble is, is that 1st Mate sleeps on that side and will be wondering what all the stuff above her head is doing there. Maybe I can cover it with nice looking monkey fur... :lol:

S&H for all the above is at around $9.
 
A couple of reasons why I did not go with the GHS 20. We tend to misplace movable items like remotes etc. hard to believe that on a small boat you loose things. I call it the black hole syndrome! I also had visions of watching it fall overboard. Then there is the cost v what I want to accomplish. I get what I need from the GHS10. And then the installation with a possible software upgrade etc. As it is you could almost by another radio for the cost of the mic and put it where you can see it. Of course you would have to install an additional antenna so that pushed me to the GHS10.
 
Yes... the GHS10 is looking more and more attractive to me as I contemplate... I'm struggling with the AIS and trying to figure if it's an useful aid for us for our type of cruising in the NW Puget Sound and BC areas. I'm thinking it's more of a luxury than a necessity.
 
Personally, I feel that unless everyone has to use transmit and receive, for our purposes, AIS is a luxury. However, in busy commercial ports where you want to stay clear of commercial traffic, I think it is an added safety feature.
 
Yea... I think I will pass on AIS at this time. The one thing that does draw me to wanting AIS is when being caught on the water with thick fog. Knowing where big boats are lurking would be nice to know about as well as their unique info on the Chartplotter.

This brings me to a question about RADAR which I'll post elsewhere.
 
Throughout the Salish Sea, particularly in Puget Sound, the San Juans, and the Gulf Islands, we weave our way through passage and around islands. It's a matrix of shipping lanes, full of freighters, ferries, tugs under tow, and all variety of commercial ships - all using active AIS transceivers.

We take great comfort in being able to see around corners. We see the ferry leaving Bremerton or approaching Rich Passage before we enter. We see tugs under tow and freighters heading north on East Passage before we round Alki Point. We see the ferries west of Lopez Island before they enter Harney, or the BC Ferries before we exit Captain Passage. The added comfort of broad situational awareness is of great value to us.

We had receive only on our last boat. After two seasons of extensive cruising up and down the Salish Sea, we installed the transceiver because we like being visible to and easily contacted by both commercial traffic, traffic control, and other friends, with boats or not. It makes it very easy to keep track folks we're cruising with, and possible for friends anywhere to find our current position, heading, speed, and track.

All this is in addition to our routine use of radar and MARPA. It's been a great investment for us.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
Well said Bruce. I also share your sentiments about AIS receive and transmit, but especially receive.

Thanks
 
Bruce: You certainly made good arguments for AIS. I find this very useful feedback as you cruise the same waters as us. Thanks for your insights on the usefulness of AIS. Much appreciated. 🙂
 
Our boat came with AIS 600 and I didn't know what I was missing until I had it. If another ais vessel is in proximity, the system tracks potential collision course equations and displays them on the screen. You can immediately radio other vessels through mmsi. All their info is displayed. And with the 600 they can all see you, too. It's a great added level of security knowing if a commercial vessel misses you on radar you're visible through AIS. Everyone knows each other's course, speed and vessel info. I love it.
 
Today, 1st Mate and I visited our Eye Vision Center and found we both needed new glasses. 😱 As we have no Insurance covering this sort of thing, and seeing clearly is more important than having AIS 300/600 the cost of new glasses has trumped upgrading our R25 with AIS. I can't believe the cost of lenses and frames these days, even with a 10% discount for seniors. :shock: We shall rely on our trusty radar reflector that supposedly is hidden in the R25's stack and with other boaters having up-to-date eye glasses. :lol:
 
Mike: Yes that's true. Thanks for the reminder.... 🙂 I must compare COSTCO eye glass frame & lenses quality/warranty/discounts/service with our Eye Vision Center.
 
baz":1vmcfldw said:
Mike: Yes that's true. Thanks for the reminder.... 🙂 I must compare COSTCO eye glass frame & lenses quality/warranty/discounts/service with our Eye Vision Center.
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Unfortunately the eye glass frame I want is sold at COSTCO but they do not provide prescription lenses for it... so I'm kind of stuck. My wife did find a nice frame at COSTCO but there's limited style/range to choose from. We check prices and they are a bit less expensive overall but nothing to write home about IMO. COSTCO wants $75 for eye exam with prescription but our Eye Vision Center will waive that cost if we buy from them, plus their warranty for the glasses/frames is a year or two better than what COSTCO offers.

BTW... if another boat hails you based on your AIS transmission what is the protocol and how does the conversation go when they call to you ? Does the radio simply crackle and their voice booms out at you ? Also, is a special VHF channel used ?
 
knotflying":p0di2qkf said:
Baz,
The amazon links are correct. I found that some suppliers are less expensive, but when you add in shipping costs it works out to be the same or sometimes more.
As far as the power connection goes I just attached to the main positive terminal powering the buss and then one of the negative terminals on the buss.
I did not have to update any software on the VHF 200 for the mic. I did not have to update anything on the 5212 either for the AIS.
Click to expand...

Mike: Now that you have the AIS 300 installed and presumably using the antenna splitter feature that uses your stock Ranger VHF antenna do you find the AIS 300 is working to your satisfaction and that the 5212 chart plotter is displaying things correctly ? Have you tried using and initiating a call to any MMSI target directly from the chartplotter by selecting the Call with Radio function ? Thanks for any feedback on this. I'm about to pull the plug on the GHS 10 and AIS 300...

BTW... I have the iCOM M36 handheld radio. I assume the GHS 10 being connected to the Garmin VHF 200 radio will provide more power and better VHF audio reception than the iCOM, right ?
 
The AIS works as anticipated. I have not initiated a call to another vessel yet so I cannot comment on that. The GHS 10 is not another radio, it is an adjunct to your existing radio so it is just as good as using the Garmin 200. So as an example you will still want that handheld to use if you want to keep the Garmin on channel 16 and use your handheld to call a bridge.
 
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