AIS Program

[Dave Shore]

I have a Raymarine AIS system on the boat. My problem is that I am the second owner and changed the name but I can not get a straight answer on how to reprogram the AIS to the new name. I believe it can only be done by a qualified Raymarine tech. Is this true. I can't get a reply on the Raymarine web site.

[James Taylor]

If its an ais transceiver the MMSI code was entered by the company that sold the unit to the previous owner. As far as I know there is no way for boat owners to enter the mmsi into ais transceiver's.

  If it's an ais receive only, I'm not sure if call sign can or cannot be changed by owner but I would think it may.

There is also the matter of your boats DSC, were you able to change the id of the boat in your radio's dsc function? When I installed my mmsi and boat call sign into the radio's dsc memory, the instructions stated I would have two opportunities to install the correct info. After two failed attempts the radio must be returned to manufacture or their agent to be reset.

 Since the previous owners installed ais they probably also activated the dsc function in your vhf radio and connected it to your chartplotter via nmea1083. I would check to make sure. If you activate dsc due to emergency etc, you'll certainly want the correct call sign and associated info to be transmitted to CG and surrounding boats who should attempt  to assist you in your time of need.

Hope this helps

James

[James Taylor]

Wooaaa!!!

I made a mistake. There is no mmsi entered into ais receive only equipment.  Sounds like you have a ais transceiver on your boat which means you (boatowner) will not be able to change the id (callsign) associated with that unit . A qualified company may be able to change the name associated with your equipment and enter your boats new mmsi number Sorry for the confusion.

James

[Dave Shore]

Yes it is a transceiver, and that is what I though the answer was. Having trouble finding anyone to change it. Kind of a pain. Thanks for the reply

[Bruce Bogdanoff]

I sent mine back to the factory to be changed when the MMSI from BoatUs was not valid when I added an SSB. There was an update to my VHF radio so erasing the MMSI and update was free except my shipping costs.