[CA] AIS Transmitter for My E-120 System

[Tfvassallo]

On my Nordic Tug 37 I have a Raymarine E120 at lower station, Raymarine E80 on flybridge. I have done the latest software upgrade, I believe it version 5.96.....and there are no additional software updates available.

I am also using the Raymarine AIS250 receiver.

I would like to add an AIS transmitter to my set-up so I can transmit my boat details.

Can someone please help me define what equipment I need to purchase to upgrade these systems?

Can I swap out my AIS 250 with a unit that receives and transmits?

Can you provide installation advice too. Thank you

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum Tfvassallo,

The AIS250 would need to be replaced with an AIS650. As the AIS650 is a Class B AIS transceiver, it must be interfaced to the passive GPS antenna which is packaged with the AIS650. This passive GPS antenna will need to be installed in a location affording it an unobstructed view of the skies overhead. The AIS650 will need to be interfaced to a dedicated VHF antenna having a gain of no more than -3dB. Alternatively, the AIS650 may be interface to an AIS100 Class B AIS Antenna Splitter, which would permit a single VHF antenna to support the VHF radio and AIS650. Like the AIS250, the MFD's NMEA 0183 cable will be interfaced to the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 leads of the AIS650. Should a DSC VHF radio's NMEA 0183 input leads presently be interfaced to your AIS250's 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 terminals, then these NMEA 0183 leads will instead be interfaced to the 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 output leads of the AIS650. The AIS650's power, ground, and drain leads will be spliced to the power, ground, and drain leads currently in place for the AIS250.

[Tfvassallo]

Thank you very much for this detail. Please view my picture attachments. If I pop out the AIS250 and replace it with the AIS650 and then also use the AIS100 splitter for the VHF connection am I correct to think I can use all the existing wiring? I just need to add wiring for the GPS and I should be good to go? Is this correct? Thanks for your help.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Tfvassallo,

It appears that your vessel is using a single VHF antenna to support both AIS receptioni and to support VHF reception/transmission. Unless you will be additionally installing dedicated AIS antenna, it will be necessary to install the aforementioned AIS100 Class B Antenna Splitter. The AIS650 to the AIS100 will be interfaced to the AIS100 using the antenna cables which you currently have and are additionally supplied with these products.