AIS

Digital Yacht also manufactures many accessories such as AIS alarms, pilot interfaces for AIS class A transponders, specific GPS antennas for AIS transponders but also AIS ground stations.

AIS ground stations are fixed (non-mobile) stations. that maritime authorities use to monitor and control maritime traffic. The main ports and harbors install these systems to ensure better monitoring of boats with an AIS system. Stations can also transmit their data to specialized sites such as Marine Traffic, Vessel Finder, etc...

The AIS system operates on 2 channels of VHF frequencies and to receive and transmit AIS information it is necessary for an AIS unit to be connected to a VHF antenna.

One option is to fit an antenna splitter such as our SPL2000, which allows VHF radio and AIS to use the main VHF antenna. The other option is to install another VHF antenna which will only be connected to the AIS.

Any VHF antenna can be used, although some antennas are tuned to AIS frequencies to give you better range.

An AIS Man Overboard Beacon (MOB) uses an AIS signal to transmit the position of a person who has fallen overboard to all vessels equipped with an AIS receiver or transponder. In contrast, a SART beacon can be used to locate a life raft or recreational boat in the event of an emergency.

An AIS SART beacon, positioned near the waterline and with an output power limited to 2W, generally has a maximum range of 6 milles. In contrast, a MOB beacon has a range of 2 to 3 milles.

AIS receivers simply pick up transmissions, then decode them for display on a compatible PC chartplotter or navigation system, or even on iPads and tablets. If you do little sailing, this receiver will be very beneficial for your own safety and to improve your movements on the water.

There are single channel AIS receivers and dual channel receivers. When choosing this type of product, we strongly recommend that you choose a dual-channel one, as these receivers receive all types of AIS data and update the received data very quickly (2 times faster than a single channel).

The AIS transponder is essential to know the presence of other nearby boats and send your position, heading and speed information to surrounding boats, the AIS receiver and the AIS transponder are very useful equipment.

The AIS receiver will only receive data from surrounding vessels equipped with transponders, while the transponder can receive and transmit data to nearby vessels.