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AIS antenna

I used a cheap little 6" long antenna on the pushpit. It worked fine. I believe others have used similar cheap little antennas for AIS with good results. Unfortunately, I will probably have to find somewere else to put it (perhaps on a little antenna mast) because my monitor and solar panels will now take up all the space on the pushpit.

- Tom Kirschbaum, Feral
 
AIS Antenna

I'm using the Milltech Smart Splitter on my VHF antenna - works without any problems... so no extra antenna needed.
Either feed it into my AIS stand-alone display or into my laptop Nobeltec software - whichever I fancy (but not simultaneously)

Cheers,

Jeanne
"Nereida"
Colon, Panama
(keeping my fingers crossed!):D
 
I use a stainless whip antenna, size used on top of mast (3' ?) and was able to pick up targets at 24 miles. I have it connected to the Milltech SR-161 and the Vesper Marine Watchmate System.
 
Which AIS to buy?

Am trying to figure out which AIS to purchase for the SHTP. So far, I think I understand that the systems with alarms are the Milltech Watchmate (with a stand alone text only display) or the system from England (with a stand alone chart). I definitely want an AIS with an alarm and would prefer not to have to go through my computer to get the info. Are there other options that meet these criteria? Any strong opinions?

Thanks for your help.
Barbara "Islander" Euser
 
Welcome to the boards, Barbara.

Here's my post from another thread on this subject:

"NASA's 'AIS Radar' is still the ticket at the simple/low cost/low power end of things. I didn't miss having CPA, the alarm was plenty loud and although I had a laptop I was glad not to have to rely on it for the AIS to work, not to mention the power savings. (The laptop and its converter were one of the biggest power draws on the boat.)

The AllGadgets guys will send a unit via DHL and you'll have it in 3-4 days:

http://www.allgadgets.co.uk:80/ag/product.asp?dept_id=110&pf_id=AG3928

You might want their cradle bracket too, unless you make your own."
___________________________________________________________

I think you're already considering this unit but I'll endorse it again. Even with the lousy exchange rate this is cheaper than the nearly-identical Sitex unit available in the U.S.

Another option is the unit "Mischief1" is selling on our Buy/Sell board. Mischief is a J/92 in Florida. I know her owner (and have sailed on his boat) and I suggested he list his AIS for sale here. It's the Vesper Marine "Watchmate" unit. To answer your question, I'm not aware of any other stand-alone AIS's at the lower cost end.
 
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The Watchmate system did look like a good get-up, and when I telephoned Miltech to ask them about it I got a really helpful and courteous response. On the other hand, it's a lot more expensive than the NASA unit.
 
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