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Old 03-08-2014, 14:02   #76
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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So, what you are saying is you use the same MMSI # for the transmitter as well as the 2150? As they are separate units.

I have a SH 2150 which I haven't installed, or had time to read the manual yet.
I have only had for a couple of years.
I was not going to enable the AIS receiver facility. We don't even have dsc on vhf here, only hf.( IIRC'ly)
You cannot turn off the AIS receiving mode in the GX2150 (curious as to why you bought it if you didn't want to receive AIS?).

Yes, one programs the same MMSI# in the radio and AIS transponder, and the radio AIS ignores the ship it is installed on.

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Old 03-08-2014, 14:08   #77
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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This isn't true unless you programmed them with different MMSI numbers. The SH2150 knows to ignore its ownship's MMSI AIS signal.

Mark
Hmmm. That would be good information for them to hide in the manual. Now if I can figure out how to change the MMSI in it to match the FCC issued one, it'll make a nice spare. I was just going to put it back in the other boat.

For anyone (in the USA) contemplating AIS, don't bother with the BoatUS MMSI, save yourself some heartache and get the FCC one. Yes it costs money, but it'll make your life so much simpler later...

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Old 03-08-2014, 14:09   #78
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

(curious as to why you bought it if you didn't want to receive AIS?).

Needed a vhf, looked like it would do the trick & was a good price
I could be sexist right now, but that wouldn't go down well owing to the multi-gender audience.

Bit like the Icom- impulse buy. My excuse; Frustration of not having my boat in the water!
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Old 03-08-2014, 14:16   #79
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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Now if I can figure out how to change the MMSI in it to match the FCC issued one
You will need to send it back to SH for that.

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Old 03-08-2014, 15:13   #80
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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Originally Posted by colemj View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRM View Post
Now if I can figure out how to change the MMSI in it to match the FCC issued one, it'll make a nice spare.
You will need to send it back to SH for that.
Not true. I can do it. Any tech with the right cables (there are two) and software can do it. Standard Horizon doesn't have a certification process so they release the material on a case by case basis. A commercial radio license seems to have done the trick for me.
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Old 03-08-2014, 15:56   #81
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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Not true. I can do it. Any tech with the right cables (there are two) and software can do it. Standard Horizon doesn't have a certification process so they release the material on a case by case basis. A commercial radio license seems to have done the trick for me.
That is good to know. All the manuals and literature I have for our stuff say that units have to be returned to change the MMSI. Not that I plan to need it, but now I know I potentially have other options when shipping is inconvenient or costs more than buying new.

BTW, where does one hook cables on this radio? Is there an internal connector, or is it done through the NMEA port?

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Old 03-08-2014, 16:53   #82
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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BTW, where does one hook cables on this radio? Is there an internal connector, or is it done through the NMEA port?
Microphone jack, same as Icom radios.
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Old 04-08-2014, 13:14   #83
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

Thanks again to all for your responses. I've learned a lot from this thread.

So I received my SH GX2200 (only $350 on Amazon!), installed it, played around with it, and did a little day sail with it, comparing it's AIS reporting with my visual verification. This thing is AWESOME! And I've barely tapped into it's capabilities. Every commercial vessal I saw out there had an AIS ping along with some (but certainly not all) of the smaller boats.

My only criticism is trying to make heads or tails out of the AIS traffic using that small display. I think this thing's really geared toward sending that data to a decent chartplotter, and showing it on the radio screen is just sort of a courtesy. But it does display traffic, and more importantly I can set up proximity alarms. I suppose this is one more reason I should consider forking over the bucks for a real marine chartplotter instead of just Navionics running on my tablet.

Thanks again all. Happy sailing!
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Old 04-08-2014, 20:58   #84
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

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My only criticism is trying to make heads or tails out of the AIS traffic using that small display.
If the problem is crowding of icons into a small space, the range of the display can be changed so that the boats closest to you are visually spread out more.

Of course, the further away ones won't show up then - it is a balance.

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Old 04-08-2014, 21:24   #85
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

Thanks mark, I know about adjusting the range to declutter, and that helps. Unfortunately the problem is my 55 year old eyes, and my refusal to own a pair of reading glasses!
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Old 05-08-2014, 09:03   #86
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Re: Please School me on VHF/GPS/AIS Combo Units

Lateral,
While the NZ Maritime Authority (Taupo Radio) doesn't monitor VHF-DSC (nor MF-DSC), just HF-DSC....and therefore NZ has no Sea Area A1 or A2, this does not mean that other vessels in your area haven't got VHF-DSC radios, and they could be potential sources of assistance / rescue, when you need it...
Quote:
Originally Posted by lateral View Post
We don't even have dsc on vhf here, only hf.( IIRC'ly)
Therefore, I would highly recommend that you:
a) Program your valid MMSI# into your DSC VHF radio...
b) Connect a GPS to the NMEA input...
And, learn how to send a DSC message...

I mean, worst case here, this would give you your GPS position on the radio display, for you to use/refer to, when making a Voice call....and still allow you to make a DSC call to other boats (whether a "Distress" message or just a routine call-up of a friend/buddy)


As for the AIS display on the 2150....it's pretty small....and with my eyesight, I'd never be able to use it effectively....so, the 2150 doesn't interest me...
But, you DO already own it, so why not at least give it a try???


I hope this helps..

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Old 05-08-2014, 09:31   #87
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DSC

The discussions about DSC bring up a question (concern?) for me. From what I can see, the only marine HF radio (or perhaps only affordable) with DSC is the Icom 802 which is not exactly cheap.

So what about those of us with an SSB without DSC. Is it almost worthless in an emergency? Would a voice only Mayday call reach any ships in the area that have a DSC radio r would they not even hear the call at all? Is there any kind of solution to add DSC to an existing installation with some kind of black box?

Should I just get rid of my non DSC radio and bite the bullet for the 802? Will Santa Claus please bring me one.

Thanks
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Old 05-08-2014, 11:01   #88
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Re: DSC

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So what about those of us with an SSB without DSC. Is it almost worthless in an emergency? Would a voice only Mayday call reach any ships in the area that have a DSC radio r would they not even hear the call at all? Is there any kind of solution to add DSC to an existing installation with some kind of black box?
I like the Icom 802. It's a good radio. When I bought mine I was starting from scratch. I wouldn't do anything different (other than look at an 801E) today.

If I had a boat with a 710, a 700pro, a TKM-707, or one of the Sailor or Furuno radios I would have to think hard before replacing it. In the Western Hemisphere I think your best bet would be to call on ham frequency 14300 kHz (legal regardless of license in an emergency).

Value for money? That's a pretty personal decision.
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Old 05-08-2014, 11:03   #89
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Re: DSC

Skip,
This whole thread has drifted way off topic....and I'm just as much to blame as anyone...
So, without wanting to drift further, I'll give you some brief answers...
(yeah, you read correctly I wrote "brief"...


Specifics in red...
Quote:
Originally Posted by skipmac View Post
The discussions about DSC bring up a question (concern?) for me. From what I can see, the only marine HF radio (or perhaps only affordable) with DSC is the Icom 802 which is not exactly cheap.
Yes, the M-802 is the only "average sailor affordable" MF/HF-DSC radio made anywhere....(it's current price is about $1800...)
Icom SSB Radio Kits & Components

The others, Furuno 1575/2575, Thrane/Sailor 6000 series, JRC's, etc. are all MUCH more expensive!! (typically 3 to 8 times the price!!!)



So what about those of us with an SSB without DSC. Is it almost worthless in an emergency?
Almost worthless is a bit of a over-simplification...
I'm not trying to be evasive, but the exact answer depends on a few variables (where you are sailing, what you use the radio for, and how good you are at using it, etc.)...

You're in the US / Florida, so I'll use this as our discussion point...
If, for example you would ALWAYS be in within HF radio range of at least one USCG HF station, and you knew how to choose the proper frequency for that station, at that particular time-of-day, and knowing the radio propagation tendencies for that day, then an old non-DSC Marine HF radio WOULD work well for you in an emergency...
But, also remember that NMN's HF Voice watchstanding is only on 6mhz and 8mhz 24/7, and 12mhz daytime, and 4mhz nighttime...with NMC being 24/7 on 4, 6, 8, and 12mhz...so, this CAN be a limiting factor here...

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall

(also, if you used this radio primarily on the ham radio bands, and you knew what freqs would always have someone on them, and you'd always be in range of them, then this would be a useable avenue for distress calling...)



Would a voice only Mayday call reach any ships in the area that have a DSC radio r would they not even hear the call at all?
NO...
No ships are going to hear your call at all...
Nor, is any other HF coast station beyond the USCG (see above), NZ and Aus maritime authorities...



Is there any kind of solution to add DSC to an existing installation with some kind of black box?
Many years ago, there were "external DSC controllers" that could be added to some of the older radios (those that were designed to be upgraded to GMDSS compliance)...this was a stop-gap measure to allow some commercial vessels to meet their GMDSS compliance deadlines (Jan 1999, or before), without having to replace their whole communications suite..
But, none of these ext. controllers have been manufacture in many years (since the mid/late 90's I think)...
And, since Icom was not a popular radio with the bigger ships that needed to be GMDSS compliant (they mainly had Skanti, JRC, Sailor, Thrane, and Furuno), there were few Icom ext. DSC controller built/sold...

So, unless you personally know a "ship breaker" and he gets lucky and finds an old GMDSS / DSC controller for an old Icom radio, it's just not going to be possible to upgrade an old non-DSC Icom rig...



Should I just get rid of my non DSC radio and bite the bullet for the 802?
Don't know about Santa....but the M-700Pro is a nice rig....makes a GREAT HF ham rig (wonderful clean transmitter), and should last you a long time....
It would make a great back-up HF radio on-board....

So, whether you decide to keep it, and use it as-is, knowing and accepting the above limitations...or buy a M-802 and keep the M-700Pro as a spare, it's up to you....(and also up to WHERE you will be sailing and HOW you'll use the radio...)


Others may advise you differently, and I will not argue the points....you have the facts, and you'll make your own decisions....no worries here...

But, in my opinion / my 'advice"..... buy a M-802, and install it when you are outfitting the boat and getting ready to cruise....(you can use the M-802, or the M-700Pro, at home as well)
But, that doesn't mean that you should throw away the old M-700pro...


I hope this helps...


Fair winds..

John
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Old 05-08-2014, 11:29   #90
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Re: DSC

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Originally Posted by Auspicious View Post
I like the Icom 802. It's a good radio. When I bought mine I was starting from scratch. I wouldn't do anything different (other than look at an 801E) today.

If I had a boat with a 710, a 700pro, a TKM-707, or one of the Sailor or Furuno radios I would have to think hard before replacing it. In the Western Hemisphere I think your best bet would be to call on ham frequency 14300 kHz (legal regardless of license in an emergency).

Value for money? That's a pretty personal decision.
I have no doubt the 802 would be a great choice for a cruising HF radio but the question does come down to cost/benefit for me. Not like I don't have enough money in the bank to buy a new 802 but if I went out and bought everything I craved for the boat I would be buying and installing gear for the next ten years and end up with no money in the cruising budget.

So it comes down to where to devote the available boat bucks. Should I buy an 802 or upgrade the AP. Maybe a new radar. Maybe save the money for a night out at the casinos in Monaco.

And what's this 14300 kHz? I thought all I had to do was say mayday on 2182 and rescuers would be standing by around the world to come take me away.
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