GPS Antenna Installation Tips

Posted by Doug Miller on 4/7/2021 to Configuration Examples
GPS Antenna Installation Tips
This article provides some tips for getting the most out of your devices with embedded GPS antennas as well as how and when to use external GPS antennas to improve performance.

Using the AMEC B600W SOTDMA AIS Transponder with the iNavX app to display AIS

Posted by Doug Miller on 1/12/2021 to Configuration Examples
Using the AMEC B600W SOTDMA AIS Transponder with the iNavX app to display AIS
This article provides guidance on using the AMEC B600W SOTDMA Class B AIS Transponder with Wi-Fi support and the iNavX app on Apple iOS.

Using the wireless features of the new em-trak B900 series

Posted by Doug Miller on 9/8/2020 to Configuration Examples
Using the wireless features of the new em-trak B900 series

Em-trak launched the new B900 Class B AIS transponder series earlier this year and have done something no other AIS manufacturer has done. Instead of a one size fits all approach with the need to buy extra accessories, the B900 family comes in 8 different flavors differentiated by transmit power, VHF antenna splitter integration and wireless support. This allows you to choose the model that exactly matches your requirements.

In this article, we look at the wireless support found in the B922B924B952 and B954 and how to use the wireless capabilities with popular apps.

Using the AMEC B600W SOTDMA AIS Transponder with the Navionics app to display AIS

Posted by Doug Miller on 2/15/2020 to Configuration Examples
Using the AMEC B600W SOTDMA AIS Transponder with the Navionics app to display AIS
We are getting a lot of questions about the new and improved Navionics app for Apple iOS and Android and how to make it work with AIS devices that include Wi-Fi support. This article walks through the steps to use the AMEC B600W SOTDMA Class B AIS Transponder with Wi-Fi support and the Navionics app on Apple iOS or Android.

Reliable Mobile Connectivity While Onboard: The Modern Holy Grail

Posted by Doug Miller on 12/10/2019 to Configuration Examples
[UPDATE: The latest version of this article is available on the Onboard Wireless site here.]

VHF Antenna: The most important factor for getting AIS to work well

Posted by Doug Miller on 9/12/2019 to Configuration Examples
Having sold thousands AIS devices over the years, you start to get a feel for the most important factors for ensuring that AIS works the way it should. In my experience, the most important factor is the VHF antenna connected to the AIS system. And when I say VHF antenna, I include the antenna itself, the cable, the connector and the location of the antenna. 
Regardless of whether you use a dedicated VHF antenna attached to the AIS receiver or transponder or if you use an AIS-capable antenna splitter, there are some basic things to keep mind that substantially impact the ability of your AIS system to send and receive radio signals. 
The following article covers my top ten recommendations for making sure your AIS antenna will work well with your AIS transponder or receiver.

Using a wireless Apple iPad with the Standard Horizon GX2200 VHF/AIS Radio - UPDATED

Posted by Doug Miller on 6/26/2019 to Configuration Examples
Using a wireless Apple iPad with the Standard Horizon GX2200 VHF/AIS Radio - UPDATED
We are getting a lot of questions about adding Wi-Fi support for marine devices that have no built-in wireless capability. This post walks through the steps to use one of our Wi-Fi adapters with a Standard Horizon GX2200 radio to stream the AIS, GPS and DSC data coming from the radio wirelessly to a mobile device such as an iPad.

Using Coastal Explorer 2017 (version 4) with the Standard Horizon GX2200

Posted by Doug Miller on 5/23/2019 to Configuration Examples
Previously, I have provided instructions for making an older version Rose Point Navigation Coastal Explorer work with the Standard Horizon GX2200 VHF/AIS radio. This article discusses how to make the latest version of Coastal Explorer (referred to as the 2017 Edition or Version 4) work with the GX2200.
The Standard Horizon Matrix GX2200 AIS/GPS Receiver VHF Radio is not only a VHF radio, but also includes a GPS receiver and an AIS receiver. The question we get from customers is, how can I connect this new radio to a PC and can I get AIS and GPS data sent to the PC? Fortunately there is a simple solution using our USB Breakout Cable that allows Coastal Explorer or any PC-based navigation program to use the GPS, AIS and DSC NMEA data that is received by this radio. While the wiring is very straight forward, you need to configure a few settings on the radio to make this work. 

TIMEZERO TZ iBoat + Vesper XB-8000 + FURUNO 1st Watch Wireless Radar: A new mobile solution for charting, AIS and radar

Posted by Doug Miller on 10/2/2018 to Configuration Examples
TIMEZERO TZ iBoat + Vesper XB-8000 + FURUNO 1st Watch Wireless Radar: A new mobile solution for charting, AIS and radar
While Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) go a long way towards increasing vessel safety and helping to prevent vessel collisions, many boaters also like to use radar for detecting vessels and other floating objects such as aids to navigation that do not have an AIS transponder. This article discusses a new solution from TIMEZERO aka Nobeltec that allows you combine charting, AIS and radar on an Apple iPad.

Using Rose Point Coastal Explorer with the Vesper XB-8000 Class B AIS Transponder

Posted by Doug Miller on 8/19/2016 to Configuration Examples
The Vesper XB-8000 Class B AIS Transponder with Wi-Fi capabilities is one of our most popular AIS products. Many customers use the product with navigation apps running on Apple iPads but we also get a lot of questions from customers asking how to use the product with Rose Point Navigation Systems Coastal Explorer running on a Windows-based PC. This article provides guidance on connecting these two product together using wired or wireless methods.

Adding NMEA 2000 support to a Standard Horizon GX2200

Posted by Doug Miller on 7/31/2015 to Configuration Examples
The Standard Horizon GX2200 AIS Matrix VHF radio is one of our most popular products. This radio has built in AIS and GPS receivers and makes a nice self-contained AIS system - not to mention a great VHF radio. But one thing that is missing is the ability to use this device with a NMEA 2000 network. We have a solution. This article shows you how to easily add NMEA 2000 support to a GX2200 using the AMEC NK-80 NMEA 2000 Adaptor.

AMEC CAMINO-108 and Standard Horizon GX2000: a great low cost combo for AIS and VHF

Posted by Doug Miller on 2/12/2015 to Configuration Examples
Following our popular post on integrating the Standard Horizon GX2000 with the AMEC CAMINO-101, this article discusses how to use the latest AMEC AIS transponder, the CAMINO-108, with the GX2000.

Using the Standard Horizon GX2000 with the Vesper Marine XB-8000 Class B AIS Transponder

Posted by Doug Miller on 10/27/2014 to Configuration Examples
Want to connect the popular Vesper Marine XB-8000 Class B AIS transponder to a low-cost. low-power display? Do you also need a new VHF radio? Now you can solve both challenges with these two products tied together. Check out this article which covers how to hook up the Standard Horizon GX2000 VHF Radio with AIS display to the Vesper XB-8000.

Using Coastal Explorer with the Standard Horizon GX2200

Posted by Doug Miller on 4/16/2014 to Configuration Examples
NOTE: We have a new version of this article for users of Coastal Explorer 2017 (version 4). Check out this version here.

Last year I wrote an article describing how to get two of our most popular products to work together: Rose Point Navigation Coastal Explorer and the Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF radio with a built-in AIS receiver. Now Standard Horizon has released a new radio – the Standard Horizon Matrix GX2200 AIS/GPS Receiver VHF Radio. This new radio has everything the GX2150 has with the addition of a built-in GPS receiver. The question we are getting from customers is, how can I connect this new radio to a PC and can I get AIS and GPS data sent to the PC. Fortunately there is a simple solution using our USB Breakout Cable that allows Coastal Explorer or any PC-based navigation program to use the GPS, AIS and DSC NMEA data that is received by this radio. While the wiring is very straight forward, you need to configure a few settings on the radio to make this work.

Does Your Red VHF Radio DISTRESS Button Work?

Posted by Doug Miller on 3/19/2014 to Configuration Examples
Great article by Mark Bunzel published by the folks at Waggoner Cruising Guide.

Using Coastal Explorer and the Standard Horizon GX2150

Posted by Doug Miller on 4/20/2013 to Configuration Examples
Two of our most popular products are Rose Point Navigation Coastal Explorer 2011 and the Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF radio with a built-in AIS receiver. And a common question we get is: can these two products work together? Fortunately the answer is yes.

Wireless AIS Solutions for Tablets

Posted by Doug Miller on 11/27/2012 to Configuration Examples
Touch-based tablets are all the rage and more and more boaters are looking for ways to use a tablet for marine navigation and AIS target display.

AMEC CAMINO-101 and Standard Horizon GX2000: a great combo for AIS and VHF

Posted by Doug Miller on 3/29/2012 to Configuration Examples
We have had a number of customers come to us and ask for a low cost solution that combines a Class B AIS transponder, a DSC-enabled VHF radio and a basic AIS display with as few components as possible. One way to do this is to build the solution with the AMEC CAMINO 101 Class B transponder and the Standard Horizon Matrix GX2000 VHF radio with AIS display.

Using an external GPS with an AIS transponder

Posted by Doug Miller on 1/1/2012 to Configuration Examples
One question we get asked a lot when customers are looking to buy an AIS Class B transponder is: "can I use my existing GPS instead of needing to install yet another GPS antenna on my rail"?

GPS Tips for AIS Class B Transponders and AIS Receivers

Posted by Doug Miller on 9/26/2011 to Configuration Examples
This article discusses how GPS antennas and receivers work with AIS transponders and receivers.