With its new range of small boat Automatic Identification System (AIS) solutions, GME has worked hard to improve performance, ease of installation and affordability.
On show at Boat Shows around Australia in 2012, the GME AIS product line consists of a Class B transceiver, Receiver and Antenna Splitter. Recently, AIS has become one of the hottest discussion topics amongst recreational boat owners. Its benefits are well recognised and documented in the commercial marine environment with SOLAS* vessels having Class A AIS equipment included as mandatory carriage for some years now. Today leisure boaters can access the key attributes of AIS for a fraction of the cost through the introduction of Class B transceiver and receiver modules, allowing vessels equipped with AIS to automatically share and update their position, speed, course and other information such as vessel identity with similarly-equipped craft. Position is derived from a GPS system and communication between vessels is by VHF radio transmissions on channels specifically allocated within the normal marine VHF band. This is particularly applicable at night or in poor weather conditions such as heavy rain and squally conditions where radar would show only noise and clutter. The GME AIST120 Transceiver, as are the receiver and splitter, is housed in a compact, weatherproof box with an internal GPS patch antenna, with provision for connection to an external GPS antenna. Also provided are dual NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 interfaces for true plug and play installations. GME’s AIST120 is also supplied with the Pro-AIS software package, a user friendly PC program to enable data entry and customisation of your system. For boaters requiring an AIS message receiver only, GME offers the dual channel AISR120 incorporating two ultra-sensitive receivers coupled to a sophisticated processor with RMax technology. Ideally suited for installation on leisure boats where collision avoidance is the primary concern, the AISR120 can be interfaced to a PC, notebook, or a GME chartplotter for greater situational awareness. Rounding out GME’s AIS portfolio is the AISS120 Active Antenna Splitter, permitting a standard marine VHF antenna to serve both the AIS device and the VHF radio without any degradation of signal. Using advanced signal processing, the AISS120 is the perfect solution for AIS installation on boats where additional antenna mounting space is not available. Clear Call Routing provides a key safety feature, ensuring VHF radio transmissions are given priority over AIS transmissions. GME offers a full 12-month manufacturer’s warranty on all AIS products.
*Footnote: The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international maritime safety treaty. The SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships. Source: Wikipedia.