AIS 350 install

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum DFMott,

Q1. I have a Ray218 VHF radio connect to my MFD via NEMA 0183. I would like to add an AIS350 to receive position data. If I connect the Nema 0183 wires on the AIS350 to the RAY218's Nema 0183 wires will that suffice for the network connection?
A1. Yes. The MFD's NMEA 0183 input leads would need to be interfaced to the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 output leads of the AIS350. Additionally, the MFD's NMEA 0183 output leads would need to be interfaced to the 38400 BAUD NMEA 0183 input leads of the AIS350. Finally, the AIS350's 4800 BAUD NMEA 0183 output leads would need to be interfaced to the NMEA 0183 input leads of the Ray218.

Q2. What about the Antenna? How can these devices share the VHF antenna?
A2. It would be necessary to install a Class B AIS antenna splitter (ex. AIS100, etc.) if electing to utilize a single VHF antenna for both the AIS receiver and for the VHF radio.

Q3. There is a diagram in the manual that shows the antenna connected into the AIS350 but not to the VHF which seems to imply the VHF can share through the AIS350's Nema connection.
A3. This is not a correct interpretation ... see the response to Q2.