AIS Transponder and VHF Antennas on the Masthead?

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

My AIS is currenlt on my stern rail and today had one ship at 37nms that I received through the length of the island of Grenada i.e through mountans (800 meters high and many at 600 meters) and there wern't no ducks nowhere!

I curently have 2 at 20 NMS, neither in direct line of sight.

Dunno why it works but it does

All this AIS talk got me off my bum and got me to finally properly install my AIS display which had been cable tied to the helm and the transponder which was duct taped to the chart table. My AIS antenna is mounted on the radar arch and I was able to track the ferry from the next harbor over until it reached it's destination 14 miles away. Which seems pretty good for my needs.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by mbianka

I was able to track the ferry from the next harbor over until it reached it's destination 14 miles away. Which seems pretty good for my needs.

Thats ferry good

[smac999]

I have seen boats get the digital noise every min through the vhf when the ais transmits when the antennas are close together...

one advantage of having the ant. down below is you have a backup antenna if you ever lose the mast. unplug cable from ais and plug into vhf. (assuming they are near each other)