Vesper sp160 antenna splitter

[GRIT]

Hello.

I've been having issues with a Vesper SP160 antenna splitter. My issue is that it only receives targets up to about 2 miles away, then... nothing.

When I connect the ais directly to the mast antenna, I receive targets up to 40 miles away (but more commonly up to 20 miles).

I was a little mystified, and annoyed, so I wrote to Vesper for a solution.

First, let me show you what they advertise on their site:https://shop.vespermarine.com/antenna-splitter-sp160

Description

Features

Benefits

Specifications
At last An Antenna Splitter with Gain Not Loss
Many AIS splitters introduce significant signal loss, some say no loss but this unique Vesper Marine splitter is the only one that provides signal gain - improving AIS reception and increasing range. This is because the Vesper Marine splitter has a built-in low noise amplifier. This is especially important to increase the receive range from the increasing number of low power AIS SART and MOB devices.

In addition to the amplification provided by this splitter, when used with your existing antenna you can optimize the range of your AIS transponder because the antenna is also mounted as high as possible.

Now, let me paste the response I got from Vesper's product support (which by the way is Garmin):

There is nothing wrong with the splitter. The nature of splitting signal means you are losing something. If you want full functionality of both the VHF and the AIS you should be using an antenna for each. VHF and AIS transmit differently. One uses a 9db gain and the other 3db gain. The only way to accomplish full signal for both is getting another antenna and no longer splitting the signal.


Thank you for choosing Garmin,


James

Marine Product Support Helpdesk Specialist

Garmin International

1-800-800-1020



Now, I don't want to tell anyone what to do with their hard earned cash, but I'll say I'm not impressed with that response.

I've written to ask about this glaring discrepancy, between what's said on their site, and the response I've received.

Does anyone have one of these that works properly? I'm sure this unit wouldn't sell much if this was the case, it must work for folks. I assumed the "booster" failed, but according to "James", I should just get another antenna.

For the record, I do have a dedicated antenna on the stern, but it limits my reception to 10 miles or so, due to it's proximity to the water. It's only 2 meters or so above the waterline. So I bought this splitter to increase the range, due to what the advertising said.

If you're on the cusp of getting a splitter, you may want to wait until folks chime in on this thread, stating whether or not their units work further than 2 miles.

Cheers.
Paul.

[PNWSalmon]

Tells you something about Garmin, I guess. Who knows why the flippant response.

You are talking about receive, not transmit, right? What does gain or any of the stats on transmit relate ?

For what it’s worth, we’ve been using the splitter for years, right now I’m picking up commercial targets over 100 miles away.

[GRIT]

Yes. Issue is receive.

Which brand splitter do you use?

Thanks.
Paul.

[PNWSalmon]

Originally Posted by GRIT

Yes. Issue is receive.

Which brand splitter do you use?

Thanks.
Paul.

The Vesper SP 160. Been in service for five plus years.

[GRIT]

That makes more sense. There's obviously something wrong with mine.

Thanks.
Paul.

[dlentz]

I too had this issue, with a similar response from Vesper. Repaired myself as sending unit to New Zealand wasn't practical.

Open the unit up and check the tightness of the antenna pigtail internally. Crimped mine better and re plugged it into the board and that cured that problem.
Now, unrelatedly, I can't control my XB-8000. It receives and transmits, but I can't control any settings, even after trying all of Vesper's instructions. Their response, send it to New Zealand for several months.

[GRIT]

Originally Posted by PNWSalmon

Tells you something about Garmin, I guess. Who knows why the flippant response.

You are talking about receive, not transmit, right? What does gain or any of the stats on transmit relate ?

For what it’s worth, we’ve been using the splitter for years, right now I’m picking up commercial targets over 100 miles away.

They're claiming to boost the incoming signal, I don't think they're claiming to boost the output.

Cheers.
Paul.

[Jim Cate]

I'm another happy user of the Vesper splitter. Had a fault when new, sent it back and it has worked reliably ever since, with typical received signals from 30+ miles and frequently much further. The latter is a propagation spike, nothing to do with superior receiver performance.

Some years back the Vesper managing director (title perhaps wrong) Jeff Robbins was an active CF member and the service was wonderful. It has greatly deteriorated since Garmin and Cortex have been introduced to the picture. Sad... the same thing happened when Garmin absorbed Interphase. Not a fan...

Jim

[S/V Illusion]

All splitters have an inherent loss but the slick advertising implies none because of the inclusion of an amp circuit. What they fail to tell you is that this gain also amplifies noise to compensate somewhat for signal loss making the S/N figures skewed (S/N ratio is signal to noise).

Splitters are a poor compromise solution and often can fail and you will not know it until it’s too late. While many claim they are dependable, it’s a crap shoot.

[GRIT]

"James" has responded to my further enquiry.

Hello ,

It is advertised as a low loss antenna there is no such thing as no loss. I have stated what is happening and how to correct it. Is there something else that I can help answer for you?

Amazing response, considering it's clearly advertised as the only splitter that actually provides gain, not loss.

So, the solution to using their antenna splitter, is to not use it at all!

I would like to remind those saying there's going to be a loss; that this splitter works for many others, but is not working for me. There's obviously something wrong with my unit, and I'd just like an idea what it could be, and hopefully have them fix it.

Silly me.

[PNWSalmon]

Originally Posted by GRIT

"James" has responded to my further enquiry.

Hello ,

It is advertised as a low loss antenna there is no such thing as no loss. I have stated what is happening and how to correct it. Is there something else that I can help answer for you?

Amazing response, considering it's clearly advertised as the only splitter that actually provides gain, not loss.

So, the solution to using their antenna splitter, is to not use it at all!

I would like to remind those saying there's going to be a loss; that this splitter works for many others, but is not working for me. There's obviously something wrong with my unit, and I'd just like an idea what it could be, and hopefully have them fix it.

Silly me.

That’s really poor support. He’s telling you to dump their own product, isn’t he? I continue to really dislike garmin.

I’d open up the unit and check the connections as suggested previously.

[GRIT]

Originally Posted by PNWSalmon

That’s really poor support. He’s telling you to dump their own product, isn’t he? I continue to really dislike garmin.

I’d open up the unit and check the connections as suggested previously.

Hi PNWSalmon.

My apologies for not updating the thread. I disassembled the unit as soon as I read your suggestion. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't thought of that myself, as I'm not shy about taking something apart, if it's not working. I can't count how many "no user serviceable parts inside" units I've taken apart to replace the blade fuse, or some other thing that was obviously user serviceable.

I removed the back cover, and each antenna connection on the board, and made sure they were all making good contact. I also inspected the board for any obvious burnt circuits, or cracks in the board, but it all looks good.

Thanks for that suggestion.

Cheers.
Paul.

PS. My opinion of Garmin mirrors your own. I could have outfitted GRIT for far less money, if I'd have used Garmin electronics, due to my connections. But I won't touch their products, or have them aboard. If I'd have known Vesper was Garmin, I wouldn't have bothered.

[PNWSalmon]

Originally Posted by GRIT

Hi PNWSalmon.

My apologies for not updating the thread. I disassembled the unit as soon as I read your suggestion. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't thought of that myself, as I'm not shy about taking something apart, if it's not working. I can't count how many "no user serviceable parts inside" units I've taken apart to replace the blade fuse, or some other thing that was obviously user serviceable.

I removed the back cover, and each antenna connection on the board, and made sure they were all making good contact. I also inspected the board for any obvious burnt circuits, or cracks in the board, but it all looks good.

Thanks for that suggestion.

Cheers.
Paul.

PS. My opinion of Garmin mirrors your own. I could have outfitted GRIT for far less money, if I'd have used Garmin electronics, due to my connections. But I won't touch their products, or have them aboard. If I'd have known Vesper was Garmin, I wouldn't have bothered.

I see, that’s good work on your part.

It was another poster’s good suggestion, by the way, and a good one at that.

That’s all too bad, was it a used purchase ? Maybe it had been fried somehow, nearby lightening strike or something.

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I'm another happy user of the Vesper splitter. Had a fault when new, sent it back and it has worked reliably ever since, with typical received signals from 30+ miles and frequently much further. The latter is a propagation spike, nothing to do with superior receiver performance.

Some years back the Vesper managing director (title perhaps wrong) Jeff Robbins was an active CF member and the service was wonderful.
Jim

My experience identical to Jim's. Had this setup on two boats, and we easily see targets 20-30 nm out. Also - like Jim - had one of the units that wasn't soldered completely when manufactured, and Robbins replaced quickly and even followed up to let me know what the fault was.

I was disheartened to find out that Garmin now owns Vesper.

[GRIT]

James has just offered to have them look at it, or sell me another one. (Like that's going to happen). After I chastised him for his attitude.

I've never liked Garmin, due to their reputation for leaving customers hanging, with poor service. And now that I've experienced it for myself, I've decided to just dump the unit and use the two antennae I had originally set up for this purpose. I will have to raise the aft antenna somewhat, to increase it's range.

I had originally set the boat up this way, because I didn't trust splitters, and wanted something less complicated, and less likely to fail. I guess I've proven my original line of thinking to be justified.

But there's no denying, altitude is king, when it comes to VHF. At the moment, I have the ais on the mast, and the vhf on the stern. It may forever remain this way, since I rarely use the vhf.

I make it a habit not to support those who don't deserve it, and Garmin's certainly made it to my black list. I've sent James an e-mail, suggesting he consider how he'd like to be treated if our roles were reversed. I know, useless, but one never knows...

I hope this thread ads to someone's knowledge base. Just another datapoint.

Cheers.
Paul.

PS: dlentz: thanks for the suggestion to take the unit apart to check the connections. Apologies for not giving credit where credit's due.
PPS. We're big fans of the KP44. Lovely boat.