[TG] [TG11] AIS 650 stops displaying targets

[timgoodyear]

I had a lot of time to think about this in the Gulf Stream recently. My biggest fear with the issue was not having AIS at night, but it always seemed to work OK somehow. So... I tried turning the solar controllers off, and sure enough more targets appeared and I was able to see full details of ships earlier. I tried it a few times, and solar appears to bethe culprit.

The controllers are Victron Smart Solar MPPt controllers. They are located far from the VHF and antenna, but the wires from the solar panels to the controllers run past (2’) from the splitter and AIS650, and in the same conduit as the antenna cable for about 15’.

I will re-route the cabling from the PV panels away from the VHF antenna, but was wondering whether you had any other thoughts on this? Could the MPPT controllers themselves be interfering from 12’ away?

Many thanks,

Tim