Cheapest AIS

[marigrace]

Hi All,
I am interested in AIS, but the cheapest way possible.
(AIS is Automatic identification system. For those of you who are not aware of this yet; It is an ANTI COLLISION SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL SHIPPING USED WORLDWIDE.)
We don't need a transponder, just a receiver that outputs to a laptop so I can find ships' GPS positions, heading and speed, who enter my security circle, which is set on a 20NM radius.
Yep, you guessed right, I am the navigator on our boat.
AIS data is transmitted on Ch 87 & 88 VHF and seeing we have 2 VHF radios and 3 laptops o/b; I thought that there must be a way to utilize our equipment, without buying more electronic boxes.
I've been looking around for months, on the internet for something.
When we were on the hard in New Zealand and talking to some locals, who put us in contact with a company here in Tauranga.
These guys put an audio filter in the radio.
The filter distinguishes between AIS data and interference.
It ouputs to the laptop and presto, we've got a pretty cheap AIS receiver. I'm not sure how it actually works, but it does.
We had this installed a month ago.
Included came heaps of usefull software on a dvd They even installed the software on all our laptops. We paid $130US.
And best of all, the software overlays on our MaxSea v10 charts and puts ships superimposed on the screen on the charts.
It beats radar hands down as it can 'look' around corners (islands) and without the usual radar 'clutter'.
This guy Adrian says that they send these filters, connector cable and software and all over the world for self installation.
Their website is Cheapest AIS SYSTEM for Yachts
I am sorry if this sounds like a commercial, but we are so happy with it, I just thought I share our experience. Marigrace

[aa3jy]

There's one cheaper....

Cover your Area on the Live Navigation Map

Regards,

Clay AA3JY
s/v 'Tango'

[bitman]

i use a £40 scanner with a Discriminator Output connected to my laptop...

[wookie]

I wish to install AIS on my ketch i intend to have a dedicated ariel on the Mizzen mast what type is recomended?

[bartvdv]

fyi: AIS is NOT better than a radar, it is different.
Fishermen and other yachts might not have a transponder.
And ships with an AIS are not obliged to switch it on.
AIS is only supplementairy info and a nice add-on.

[mintcakekeith]

I bought a NASA ais unit and find it ideal for my needs. it does not output to computer etc which is a shame but being oldfashioned I prefer stand alone units.

[night0wl]

West Marine recently lowered the price on their Clas B unit. Send and recieve box...$499. I think its the best price for a Class B unit. You can use discount codes and free shipping and west rewards to get it down another 10-20%.

West Marine: AIS-1000 Class B “Send and Receive” AIS Transponder Product Display

[rikhall]

Originally Posted by wookie

I wish to install AIS on my ketch i intend to have a dedicated ariel on the Mizzen mast what type is recomended?

Because AIS transmits in the VHF range, I bought a new VHF mast top antenna and moved the old one to the radar pole. The old one works perfect for receiving AIS and the new one give me an even better signal on VHF.

Cheers

Rik

[barnakiel]

NASA.

If you have a laptop then their black box unit, if not then the one with screen. I think in the US Sitex sold them, but NASA is still in the UK.

b.

[MJBrown]

Just paid $435 for an ICOM5000 receiver only from Defender. I believe it was a boat show special.