Many users are put off installing a Class B AIS transponder because of the requirement for additional antennas on their space strapped pushpit rail or radar arch.
A Class B AIS transponder must have its own internal (built in) dedicated GPS receiver so this requires a dedicated antenna. It also needs a dedicated VHF antenna (ideally tuned to 162MHz) or connection to a specialist VHF-AIS antenna splitter if you want to share the main VHF antenna with the AIS and VHF. Our SPL2000 splitter is a great choice here but this technology is relatively expensive.
Digital Yacht now have a great new solution – the compact GV30 combination GPS and VHF antenna, tuned specifically for 162MHz AIS frequencies. Physically its around 75mm in diameter and has a compact helical stub antenna fitted to the top. Two (10m) cables exit the unit (for GPS and AIS) with low profile connectors to make running the cable through the boat easy. Adaptors are supplied for connection direct to our AIT2000 transponder. Despite the compact stub antenna, performance is actually very good and it makes for a rapid installation. Of course, range is slightly limited (typically 5-8 NM) but range isn’t everything – actually too much range can cause too many targets to be received and overcrowd the plotter display!
Note that the GV30 is shown here fitted to a 1″ standard deck base (stainless steel) which isn’t supplied. The GV30 has the industry standard 1″ female thread to fit a wide variety of 3rd party rail, deck and pole adaptors.
It will of course work with other AIS transponders but there’s some good reasons here to choose our brilliant AIT2000 Class B transponder
