AIS- the technology - and the price - improving

by Des Ryan on 28 Oct 2009 AIS technology is getting more and more user friendly, cheaper, and more and more within the budget range of the average cruising yacht. Now you can get a transponder Class B, which basically means that the ships can see you as well as your being able to see and identify them, for about as much as a transceiver used to cost.

Digital Yacht have introduced their second generation Class B AIS transponder called the AIT1000.  It uses the same well proven technology from the previous generation AIT250 product but now comes in a more slimline, compact and waterproof enclosure.  It’s also the first transponder to feature a USB interface for PC programming and allowing easy plug ‘n play connection to PC based navigation systems.

There is also a traditional NMEA 0183 output which interfaces with AIS compatible plotters such as Raymarine's C and E Series, Furuno, Navnet, Standard Horizon and Garmin product lines.

As a transponder, the AIT1000 will not only receive AIS data from other surrounding vessels but will also transmit your vessel identity, position and course to other users.  For all commercial vessels over 300GRT it is a mandatory requirement to carry an AIS transponder and signals sent from the AIT1000 will be picked up by these devices and navigators automatically warned of any potential collision course.  The AIS system offers one of the greatest advances in marine navigation safety for the 21st century.

The AIT1000 comes complete with its own GPS antenna and requires connection to a VHF antenna or a VHF antenna splitter so that the existing VHF antenna on board can be utilised.  It also ships with proAIS software which allows programming of the device by a suitably qualified person as well as offering a diagnostics facility and list of all targets received. 

The AIT1000 is priced at US$749 and is available now.  Further details are available at www.digitalyachtusa.com