AIS , Word Press, and Getting Along with Others

[Marlene A. Sassaman]

Ahoy there mateys,

Just did some research on AIS. Like learning to sail, AIS has a language of its own. There is static and dynamic transmission. Does that mean fuzzy sounding versus a really terrific communication?

How about Furuno and Raymarine? Is Furuno related to King Furuk? Recently one was criticized for calling an autopilot an autopilot and not a Raymarine. Does that mean AIS will steer me away from danger?

Ay, here's a clarity. Digital Automatic Identification versus ACR Automatic Digital Identification System. Does this mean one system shows numbers and the other dyslexic sound, you know ACR is really RCA? Don't stop here because there is also JCR, Garmin (you know the GPS folks), and Simrad.....Obvious what these names represent, isn't it?

To differentiate between real vocabulary and brand names, Wikepedia offers this lexicon sampling:

VTS, Loran, ECDIS, gyrocompass, and rate of return. So, do we get money back?

What's with all this jargon? Can't they just say, plug it in, and it will tell you where, how fast and the direction of other hard objects? All I want is a foolproof system to wake me up from a day dream or a deep night's sleep to avoid a collision.

Better to skip learning about Word Press and getting along with others so I can concentrate on learning about AIS before I collide with another fast approaching channel marker...

[h]

Marlene,

If you want only to receive AIS signals, the best and most economical option is the Standard Horizon VHF radio.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|344|301236|86885|441556&id=1352497

h

[h]

Marlene,

AIS is going trough a major change at present. New players are coming into the market. Like this link http://www.exnc.at

I have jumped early with a Comar CSB-200. Class B Transponder. It spits out the NMEA 0183 string and can be read ny my Garmin 540 (which is soon to be changed to Garmin 4012).

Agood webiste to read about marine electronics is www.panbo.com

H

[Michael Henson]

IMHO, AIS is a good tool for identifying vessels, and quick calculation of CPA ; that's about it. Like so many other electronic gadgest, it also can reduce a mariner's situational awareness if he's not on his guard nd give him a false sense of security if he relies on it too heavily. The best navigational tool aboard is the MK-I Mod.-0 eyeball.

Just my .02

[Suky Cannon]

not sure the AIS notifies about the channel marker. I agree with you... .keep it simple please. I know Veranda has now had one season of AIS and liked it. Didn't have it on Vision, but we always had one person on watch. I would have liked to have had it, especially on night crossings.

[LOLA]

This is great...Waiting for replies.