Vesper Marine AIS

[transmitterdan]

Most likely explanation is a bad jumper cable between XB8000 and splitter. If cable is ok then suspect splitter.

[trantor12020]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

Most likely explanation is a bad jumper cable between XB8000 and splitter. If cable is ok then suspect splitter.

Thanks for reply. Checked, the jumper cable is good. Tested antenna (with mast top 48ft cable) and joint with jumper on directly on AIS, VSWR=1.
Add in the SP-160 in-between and VSWR=6.
So its clear splitter is the issue.
Has anyone had this problem with the splitter?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by trantor12020

Thanks for reply. Checked, the jumper cable is good. Tested antenna (with mast top 48ft cable) and joint with jumper on directly on AIS, VSWR=1.
Add in the SP-160 in-between and VSWR=6.
So its clear splitter is the issue.
Has anyone had this problem with the splitter?

But you tested the switch with another antenna and it was good? Coax cables and connectors can be tough to debug, as moving them can break or make contact etc.

I recommend you test with another jumper cable and also with the antenna straight to SWR meter and then, while keying the mike, move the cables around to see if anything jumps.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by trantor12020

Thanks for reply. Checked, the jumper cable is good. Tested antenna (with mast top 48ft cable) and joint with jumper on directly on AIS, VSWR=1.
Add in the SP-160 in-between and VSWR=6.
So its clear splitter is the issue.
Has anyone had this problem with the splitter?

Try a different jumper of a different length before giving up. Coax connections are the most often noted failure point.

It is unusual for an old mast top antenna to have VSWR=1 on the high AIS frequencies. That seems suspicious to me. It will usually be 1.5 or something near that.

[trantor12020]

I used the xb8000 as tester for both antennas. The mast top one has a 1yr old Vesper AIS antenna but the cable that runs down the mast is couple of years old. The bimini mounted antenna has old regular vhf antenna but new cable. Both set up tested using xb8000 returns a vswr of 1 green without use of sp160 splitter. I thought the results are very obvious. Anyway I attend to swap the antennas and later renew the mast cable.
Fingers cross

PS: I connects the new bimini mounted antenna thru the SP160 splitter and xb8000 shows vswr of 6 (orange bar).

PS2: I'll try using the Shakespears VSWR Tester on both antennas next weekend.

[trantor12020]

Originally Posted by trantor12020

Jeff, any indicative date when this Android bug will be fixed?
I'm not a fan of Apple.

Jeff, Thanks a million . Upgraded the WatchMate to ver 2.1.1.xxx on Play Store. Will test it out coming weekend.

[trantor12020]

Originally Posted by jeffrobbins

Thanks for this info. We've been looking into it and it appears to be a bug in the new Android version of the app which only happens in a few locations. Doesn't happen with the Apple app. We're working on a fix to the Android app.

I've downloaded the newer version and it works great. Thank you.

[Pelagic]

I bought the XB-8000 Nav Kit which came with the identical GPS antenna as my FURUNO GP-33

Are there any interference issues about placing them within 12" of each other?

[jeffrobbins]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I bought the XB-8000 Nav Kit which came with the identical GPS antenna as my FURUNO GP-33

Are there any interference issues about placing them within 12" of each other?

Good question. And that should be fine. Keep VHF antenna separation 3-4' from each other but the GPS antennas will be ok.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by jeffrobbins

Good question. And that should be fine. Keep VHF antenna separation 3-4' from each other but the GPS antennas will be ok.

Thanks Jeff,
One last interference question

I am considering putting a wi-fi booster at mast head, 12" from your Vesper Antenna...

eg Bullet or Groove type
Marine WiFi Systems

Any concerns about interference?

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Thanks Jeff,
One last interference question

I am considering putting a wi-fi booster at mast head, 12" from your Vesper Antenna...

eg Bullet or Groove type
Marine WiFi Systems

Any concerns about interference?

Should not be a problem. WiFi and VHF are very far apart in frequency. And most times not used simultaneously.

[Pacey16]

Can you tell me which of the popular VHF radios (icom and standard horizon ) are compatible with the xb8000 to allow dsc call initiation from the Android app. Thanks.

Sent from my SM-T360 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[jeffrobbins]

Yeah, I agree. The WiFi booster shouldn't be an issue.

Originally Posted by Pacey16

Can you tell me which of the popular VHF radios (icom and standard horizon ) are compatible with the xb8000 to allow dsc call initiation from the Android app. Thanks.

All the recent (last 3-4 years) Icom fixed mount VHF's will work. If it says it's compatible with the Icom AIS then it works for this.

[NahanniV]

Jeff,

Thanks for the latest upgrade to the XB8000 !

I now have Navigation data from my computer (running OpenCPN) displayed on my NMEA2000 instruments.

Cheers,
JM.

[Jim Cate]

Jeff, I'll add my thanks for the latest update to the Vision AIS. We, the users whined, and you listened and acted on just about all the issues that I had mentioned. Some big improvements in our usage patterns (on very brief exposure today).

Vesper's customer service is fantastic! Thanks!

Jim