AIS Class B Transponder: Worth it?

BirdBrain333 · #1 02-05-2010

Wondering if the Class B transponder rather than a dual channel receiver is worth the extra $$ and the extra power draw is really worth it. We are preparing for a classic Atlantic circle and then, next time around, into the Med for 3 to 4 years.

1) I know the motto is see and be seen but has anyone with a Class B transponder really had the bridge of a big boat call them?

2) Won't carefully set guard zones and alarms (even with the false alarms) be more effective than assuming a tanker doing 15K is going to call me doing 4?

3) Am I missing something that makes the extra power consumption really worth while (about 20 percent of our total daily consumption for Class B transponder compared to 8 percent for a receiver only).

Many thanks for helping me sort this out,

Jay

PSC 37, Kenlanu

Zanshin · #2 02-05-2010

Do it, I perspmally think it is worthwhile.

I have the AIS500 transponder and am happy with. I don't think that a big ship is going to call me, but as I am transmitting AIS signals it is going to set off all sorts of alarms in the bridge (at quite a distance) if a collision is likely, so most likely they'll just change course by a degree or three - particularly as they can see from my AIS data that I'm a sailing boat and probably am the stand-on vessel. Those extra Mw of electricity are a small price to pay for a bit of additional security.

You can always turn off the transmit feature on AIS if you have the transponder.

night0wl · #3 02-05-2010

I've noticed pricing on AIS Class B has come way down. West Marine has a full Class B transponder for $500 now. Considering most receive only units are in the $200-$300 range minimum, thats really not much a premium for full features.

Also, I'm watching this trend of AIS being integrated into the VHF radio. Right now, Standard Horizon has a receive AIS only integrated into their latest VHF for about $350. I cant wait for that to be send/receive both because it would eliminate the need for either a second VHF antenna as well as the radio has a VHF on masthead already.