[CA] [CA11] E120 shows only AIS MMSI info not vessel names

[folkmeister]

My old boat had e7 and AIS 650 and worked great, all AIS info was displayed for all targets.

On our new-to-us boat, we have suffered a downgrade of MFDs to an E120 and E80. We just installed and integrated a Vesper XB-8000 AIS unit. Oddly, on the MFDs we only see vessel names for very large yachts and ships. For the rest of the AIS targets, we see just MMSI number, no vessel name. As we typically hail other vessels by name this is less than desirable. Both MFDs are updated to the latest / final version of their MFD software. Is there some inherent limitation of these older MFDs in ability to display some AIS info?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum folkmeister,

E-Series Classic MFDs are designed to display both MMSI and vessel name received from either Class A or Class B AIS transceivers. While it is recommended that Class B AIS transceivers be programmed to included static AIS data (vessel name, call sign, distance of GPS sensor from bow, stern, port gunwale, and starboard gunwale) this information is not required, is often omitted from configuration, and accordingly will not be transmitted by the AIS transceiver. Also, unlike the Class A transceivers commonly found on larger vessels which transmit this information every 2 to 10 seconds depending on a vessel's speed while underway, Class B AIS transceivers only transmit vessel name (Message 24 - Class B CS Static Data Report) at 6 minute intervals if a slot is available. Accordingly, it is not uncommon to initially find that the AIS target list only includes a MMSI for a target and is later updated to include the vessel's name after having received Message 24. In areas having large number of AIS transponders, this interval may be longer based on such slot availability. In summary, should the MFD be operating with v5.69 software and be displaying AIS target data, then the vessel name associated with a Class B AIS transceiver will be reported by the MFD when Message 24 - Class B CS Static Data Report has been received.

[folkmeister]

This is resolved - I thought the MFDs were updated to 5.69, but found they were not. Thanks!

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

You're welcome.