[brokesailor]

My AIS is not transmitting my own vessels position. I can see eve.ryone but no one can see me. Stopped sending suddenly. Any ideas on what to do? I tried rebooting, checked all settings, etc.

 

[SVAuspicious]

Did you use the built-in splitter to connect to your VHF radio and your masthead VHF antenna? Is the VHF working well?

Have you looked at the LED status indicator? What color is it AFTER the unit has been on for 10 minutes?

You can download ProAIS software and with a USB to mini-USB cable look at error messages.

Based on my experience you have an SWR problem - the AIS500 is fussy about SWR levels.

I'll do the best I can to help you. I'm happy to run down to Solomon's but I do charge (this is my business) to show up with test equipment and tools.

 

[brokesailor]

Dave: thanks. Yes Zahnisers used the splitter. It has worked fine for 3 yrs. the LED is green hours later.

 

[SVAuspicious]

Well that is interesting. Hmm. I think the next thing to do is put a power meter in the output and see if the AIS500 is putting any power out. Alternatively, put a known good antenna on (like the little whips on a suction cup) and see if there is a difference.

 

[knuterikt]

I would have tried a direct attached antenna first.

The VHF antenna we installed for the AIS came with a ready made cable that was to short, so we had a extension cable made.

When we installed our AIS (Emtrak b-100) the configuration SW reported unsatisfactory SWR level.

Attached our emergency VHF antenna - problem solved.

We had no measuring equipment available - but suspected the cable that was custom made for us by our supplier.

Bought a over length ready made cable and problem apparently vanished.

6 months later I did some other work in the area where the cable from the AIS (VHF) was connected to the cable going to the antenna.
The plug on the cable attached to the antenna slid right off, it was not properly crimped..

We found that the ready made cable that was delivered with the antenna was the real problem, must have pushed it into place while testing the emergency antenna...

 

[SVAuspicious]

When we installed our AIS (Emtrak b-100) the configuration SW reported unsatisfactory SWR level.

Emtrak makes good stuff. All the AIS units I have worked with "complain" about SWR and relatively low levels. Not a problem - in fact it is good practice.

We had no measuring equipment available - but suspected the cable that was custom made for us by our supplier.

Bought a over length ready made cable and problem apparently vanished.

6 months later I did some other work in the area where the cable from the AIS (VHF) was connected to the cable going to the antenna.
The plug on the cable attached to the antenna slid right off, it was not properly crimped..

We found that the ready made cable that was delivered with the antenna was the real problem, must have pushed it into place while testing the emergency antenna...

Although others have had better luck (including MaineSail for whom I have great regard) my experience with crimped VHF connectors (properly called PL-259 or UHF connectors) has been consistently poor. I only use silver-teflon solder/solder connectors. Your experience with poor crimps is consistent with those of many others. MaineSail has a crimp/solder connector he likes that I have not tested yet.