Testing AIS identifier

[C2 RIBS]

We along with a few others have been asked to test a new battery operated Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitter.

The unit is battery operated and should last for up to three days sending out our position. This is solely a transmitter so we do not gain info back. This means our boats will be visible to anyone with an AIS receiver or via the internet.

The unit clamps onto the bracket which will be fixed to highest and clearest point of boat and is taken off to recharge or recharged aboard.

This unit is not currently available for sale but the manufacturers have had such good response from users about this that their designers may start to build a unit for sale in the EU.

The unit is programmed for a specific boat with MMSI and call sign and boat name.

What are peoples thoughts on such kit? Unit is shown in image in a base charger and has a clamp for the boat infront. The clamp is being adjusted for the top of AFrame

[Divertris]

Depends on the cost I suppose. Concept is a good idea if operating in busy shipping areas

[C2 RIBS]

I believe the seame powered full units are about £600 and plus fitting, discussions suggest maybe £200. but dont hold me to that

[Pikey Dave]

It sounds like half a good idea, personally one of the main attractions of AIS, is being able to see other vessels & their details.

[Erin]

I think when you can buy a fully blown transceiver for £400 then it would have to be sub £150 to be worth it's limitations. As PD said, being seen is just as important as being able to see.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

It sounds like half a good idea, personally one of the main attractions of AIS, is being able to see other vessels & their details.

Ditto
Will this unit just contribute additional AIS "noise" which desensitizes actual AIS receivers to its value? All the while getting no information for the actual noise generator.

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

It sounds like half a good idea, personally one of the main attractions of AIS, is being able to see other vessels & their details.

Yep agree that if you want full info this is no good. When we trained recently on radar reflectors we discovered the best passive radar reflectors from Tri Lens were about £250 and were not up to the required visibilty for radar, whereas this offers a signal to be collected by AIS receivers and additionally we can look at where our boats are, it give info on speed, direction as well.
Using website we could set up outer limits and be e mailed if the boat went outside an area whilst on charter, (Ok you can remove the unit).

The triangle button on the unit will eventually become a mayday beacon but not setup yet during trials

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

The triangle button on the unit will eventually become a mayday beacon but not setup yet during trials

What, you mean like the red sh1t or bust button on a DSC vhf

[Erin]

This looks familiar and this even more so

[C2 RIBS]

Thats the unit by em-trax

[Steve_B]

Been playing with the idea of AIS for some time, as we operate in what can be "remote" areas, with no other vessels around (yes even on the South Coast), I would like to have the benefit of increased visibilty.
A full system to go on our existing plotter is very pricey and this may be an answer at the right price

[chris123]

I am not sure of the benefits of this unit over a conventional class B AIS. It will have the same transmitting parameters as a class B and therefore the same limitations (limited Tx range, relatively infrequent position updates (particularly when there is a lot of AIS traffic), can be filtered out by receiving stations)

Compared to a standard class B I would say:

Pros:

1. Cost (possibly?)
2. Ease of use (no real installation required)

Cons

1. Lower power than a class B (ie reduced range)
2. Has to be kept charged rather than just being powered from the boat.
3. Cannot receive AIS data (ie can't display other vessels on your plotter)

[chris123]

Originally Posted by 250kts

A full system to go on our existing plotter is very pricey and this may be an answer at the right price

It shouldn't be that pricey - a class B transceiver should be sub £400, with no worries about keeping batteries charged. A class A transceiver is going to be a lot more expensive (with good reason), but it is not really fair to compare this identifier with a class A when a class A offers a lot more (to those who need it).

[mick]

Hoping to see if my AIS works this weekend had a look to see if it powered up at the weekend and it does there is a green led which will be power and a red led with tx any ideas on the tx bit.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by mick

Hoping to see if my AIS works this weekend had a look to see if it powered up at the weekend and it does there is a green led which will be power and a red led with tx any ideas on the tx bit.

Oooh! we'll be able to play, it's the first time out in anger for mine too this weekend. Buddy list anyone??

[mick]

Mine only pics up you won't see me.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by mick

Mine only pics up you won't see me.

Are you sure it's a TX led & not an RX then?

[mick]

Probably like you say it's in an awkward spot

[mick]

Originally Posted by mick

Probably like you say it's in an awkward spot

Well mine works picked up some ships on sat

[C2 RIBS]

This is the unit on trial and I have seen AIS pings for the boat on AIS webpages.

SRT marine technology working on these for future options
http://www.srt-marine.com/products-identifier.php