posted 11-27-2009 06:44 PM ET (US)        

The ability to know when you are in the path of or on a meeting course with commercial shipping could be very helpful to most. Also having the ability to immediately communicate with the commercial vessel and having its name on a readable screen could be useful.

I think this new product is well worth a look.

posted 11-28-2009 12:32 AM ET (US)            

quote:

---

"...provides AIS capability in both transmit and receive modes.

---

posted 11-28-2009 07:43 AM ET (US)            

AIS Receiver only, not a transponder.

posted 11-28-2009 09:42 AM ET (US)            

Standard Horizon Announces the GX2000 MATRIX and GX2100 MATRIX AIS

November 25, 2009

Available January 2010
Minimum Advertised Price: $229.99
MATRIX GX2000S (Replacement for GX3000S)
Features: 25W, 80dB. Class D. Fixed Mount VHF radio. with optional AIS input, AIS Ship DSC call, Navigation display, speaker microphone, 30W PA/Loud Hailer/Fog, option and second station Remote Access Microphone option (Available in Black and White)

Available January 2010
Minimum Advertise Price: $399.99
MATRIX AIS GX2100 (new product category)
Feaures: 25W 80dB Class D Fixed Mount VHF, Integrated AIS receiver, AIS Ship DSC Call, Navigation display, speaker microphone, 30W PA/Loud Hailer/Fog with listen back and second station Remote Access Microphone option (Available in Black and White)

MATRIX – GX2000 (Available in Black and White)
The GX2000 MATRIX is capable of being connected to an optional AIS receiver or transponder to display AIS target vessels directly on the VHF radios display using the dedicated AIS key. When connected to an AIS device the GX2000 will display AIS target information (MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG) and will allow you to contact an AIS Ship directly using DSC, show your vessels position in relation to AIS targets and alert you when an AIS ship may be approaching to close to your location via the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) Alarm.

The GX2000 features an 80dB commercial grade receive with Local/Distance attenuator, Class D DSC (dedicated channel 70 receiver continuously watches for DSC calls), powerful 30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with preprogrammed fog signals.

Other great features include die-cast chassis for durability, user-changeable channel names, optional voice scrambler, ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone, 4.5 Watt audio output, NOAA Weather Alert, Programmable Scan, Priority Scan and Dual Watch.

The GX2000 is also capable of entering and saving up to 100 waypoints, which may be selected and navigated to by using a unique navigation compass display which shows your vessels SOG, COG and the BRG (Bearing) and DST (Distance) to the waypoint. The GX2000 is capable of being connected to a RAM3 Remote Access Microphone, allowing control of all VHF, DSC and hailer functions remotely as well as add an intercom between the radio and second station microphone. Another unique feature is the ability of the GX2000 to "poll" (request and send) the GPS location of another vessel and show that vessel's position on the radio’s alphanumeric display. When connected to a compatible GPS chart plotter, the GX2000 allows the position of the polled vessel to be shown on the chart plotter display. This is a great feature for maintaining contact with fishing or cruising “buddy” boats. The MATRIX is backed by an industry leading 3-year waterproof warranty.

Features:
--AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver or transponder connection
--AIS target display*: MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG
--Contact AIS Ship with DSC*
--CPA (Closest Point of Approach) Alarm*
--80dB Commercial grade receiver
--Class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling) with Individual, All ship, Position Report, Request and Distress
--Independent Channel 70 receiver built-in for continuous DSC watch
--Local/Distance attenuator
--Enter, Save and Navigate to waypoints with Compass page**
--Navigate to a DSC Distress Call**
--Submersible JIS-7 / IPX7 (3.3 feet for 30 minutes)
--ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone with channel selection and 16/9 key
--Oversized rotary channel knob with push to enter, backlit display and keys
--30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with preprogrammed fog signals
--Capable of connecting an optional RAM3 second station remote microphone
--Intercom between radio and RAM3
--DSC position request and report functions when connected to compatible GPS chart plotter
--Voice Scrambler (optional)
--Versatile user-programmable scanning, priority scan and Dual Watch
--One-button access to Channel 16 and 9
--User programmable soft keys
--Navigation (LAT/LON, SOG and COG) information shown on display when connected to GPS
--38400 AIS HDM sentence output to compatible GPS chart plotter
--3 Year Waterproof Warranty

*when connected to an optional AIS receiver or transponder
**when connected to an optional GPS

Channel Selection: Rotary knob, up/down keys on microphone

Controls: Volume, squelch, channel knob, spring loaded DSC distress cover, backlit keypad

Mic Controls: Channel selection, 16/9 key

Display Type: Backlit alphanumeric LCD

Scanning Modes: programmable, priority and Dual Watch Weather

Alert: Yes

Transmit Power: 25/1 Watt

PA/FOG Power: 30 Watt

NMEA Inputs: GLL, GGA, GNS, RMC

NMEA Outputs: DSC, DSE

Dimensions: TBD

Flush Mount Cutout: TBD

Current Draw: 5A/0.5A

Waterproof: Front panel meets JIS-7 / IPX7, submersible 3’ for 30 minutes

Warranty: 3 years, including water damage, after warranty a $65 flat rate covers the repair.

MATRIX AIS – GX2100 (Available in Black and White)

The GX2100 MATRIX AIS integrates a dual channel AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver that displays received AIS target vessels directly on the VHF radio. The GX2100 displays AIS target information (MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG) and will allow you to contact an AIS Ship directly using DSC, show your vessels position in relation to AIS targets and alert you when an AIS ship may be approaching to close to your location via the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) Alarm. One antenna input is all that is needed since the GX2100 utilizes the VHF antenna to receive targets from ships with AIS class A or B transponders. The GX2100S features an 80dB commercial grade receive with Local/Distance attenuator, Class D DSC (dedicated channel 70 receiver continuously watches for DSC calls), powerful 30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with listen back, and preprogrammed fog signs.

Other great features include; die-cast chassis for durability, user-changeable channel names, optional voice scrambler, ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone, 4.5 Watt audio output, NOAA Weather Alert, Programmable Scan, Priority Scan and Dual Watch. The GX2100 is also capable of entering and saving up to 100 waypoints, which may be selected and navigated to by using a unique navigation compass display which shows your vessels SOG, COG and the BRG (Bearing) and DST (Distance) to the waypoint*.

The GX2100 is capable of being connected to a RAM3 Remote Access Microphone, allowing control of all VHF, DSC and hailer functions remotely as well as add an intercom between the radio and second station microphone. Another unique feature is the ability of the GX2100 to "poll" (request and send) the GPS LAT/LON of another vessel and show the vessel's position on the radio’s alphanumeric display or send the data to a compatible GPS chart plotter to be viewed directly on the chart. This is a great feature for maintaining contact with fishing or cruising “buddy” boats. The GX2100 also has the capability to send AIS target information to a chart plotter via NMEA. The MATRIX is backed by an industry leading 3-year waterproof warranty.

Features:
--Integrated dual channel AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver
--AIS target display: MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG
--Contact AIS Ship with DSC
--CPA (Closest Point of Approach) Alarm
--80dB Commercial grade receiver
--Class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling) with Individual, All ship, Position Report, Request and Distress
--Independent Channel 70 receiver built-in for continuous DSC watch
--Local/Distance attenuator
--Enter, Save and Navigate to waypoints with Compass page*
--Navigate to a DSC Distress Call*
--Submersible JIS-7 / IPX7 (3.3 feet for 30 minutes)
--ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone with channel selection and 16/9 key
--Oversized rotary channel knob with push to enter, backlit display and keys
--30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with preprogrammed fog signals and listen back
--Capable of connecting an optional RAM3 second station remote microphone
--Intercom between radio and RAM3
--DSC position request and report functions when connected to compatible GPS chart plotter
--Voice Scrambler (optional)
--Versatile user-programmable scanning, priority scan and Dual Watch
--One-button access to Channel 16 and 9
--User programmable soft keys
--Navigation (LAT/LON, SOG and COG) information shown on display when connected to GPS
--38400 AIS HDM sentence output to compatible GPS Chart Plotter
--3 Year Waterproof Warranty

*when connected to a GPS

Channel Selection: Rotary knob, up/down keys on microphone

Controls: Volume, squelch, channel knob, spring loaded DSC distress cover, backlit keypad

Microphone Controls: Channel selection, 16/9 key

Display Type: Backlit alphanumeric LCD

Scanning Modes: programmable, priority and Dual Watch

Weather Alert: Yes

Transmit Power: 25/1 Watt

PA/FOG Power: 30 Watt with listen back

NMEA Inputs: GLL, GGA, GNS, RMC

NMEA Outputs: DSC, DSE and VDM

Dimensions: TBD

Flush Mount Cutout: TBD

Current Draw: 5A/0.5A

Waterproof: Front panel meets JIS-7 / IPX7, submersible 3’ for 30 minutes

posted 11-28-2009 10:05 AM ET (US)            

What attracts me to this new radio:

--the 80-dB intermodulation rating which improves the receiver performance compared to my current Standard Horizon radio (a GX1500S);

--smaller size than previous radios (based on the size shown above relative to the microphone);

--soft-key buttons for better user interface and easier control of radio functions; and, most amazing,

--built-in AIS receiver with dual channel monitoring.

The improved receiver intermodulation performance will be very useful when operating in crowded harbors or near shore where there are high power stations in adjacent bands. In receivers, you can never have too much intermodulation performance.

The smaller size is very nice for use on small boats where space around the helm station is always at a premium.

The soft-key three button control interface will likely improve the user interface to the radio controls. I hope the menu structure will be well organized to take advantage of them.

I had been contemplating getting an external AIS receiver, and that would have required using a separate antenna or adding an external antenna splitter-combiner. Neither solution is attractive on a small boat. The integration of the AIS receiver into the VHF Marine Band radio is the obvious solution. Standard-Horizon has provided the antenna splitter and the AIS receiver in the communication radio itself.

posted 11-28-2009 10:10 AM ET (US)            

Thank you for the correction. My apologies for the error.

Regardless, the specifications and MAP of $400 makes that a very attractive radio/AIS. Very timely for me as my Icom is about ready for replacement. Although it functions well it is now over ten years old and lacks DSC.

Not a big issue but the radio color changed from white to yellow about 18 months after installation. As the boat is always covered except when on the water that was a surprise.

Looks like the other manufacturers are now in catch up mode.

posted 11-28-2009 11:46 AM ET (US)            

The Garmin radio does provide an NMEA-2000 network interface, which may be useful in some cases, but an awful premium must be paid for that feature. The Garmin radio is two and half times the price of the Standard-Horizon.

posted 11-28-2009 03:48 PM ET (US)            

There is a micro-electronic circuit developer in England, CML MICROCIRCUITS, that has developed some very highly specialized integrated circuits specifically for marine AIS receiver applications. These integrated circuit components should reduce the cost and development time for manufacturers building AIS receivers. It would be interesting to know if the new Standard-Horizon MATRIX AIS receiver used these CML chips.

More on CML's semiconductor chips:

http://www.cmlmicro.com/Products/Index.asp?/products/land/aisland.htm& searchvalue=AIS&search=feature

posted 11-28-2009 07:38 PM ET (US)            

I hope that by the time the Standard Horizon GX2000/2100 ship I can determine if it will connect to and operate with my MFD. Being electronic device challenged I hope to figure out the answer. Any advice?

posted 11-29-2009 12:11 AM ET (US)            

If an AIS receiver is in an area with a lot of ships transmitting AIS information, there could be plenty of data to transmit from the receiver to the display, and for this reason the speed of the serial data output from the AIS receiver is increased to 38,400-kbps. This is a higher speed than the usual NMEA-0183 serial port speed (4,800-bps), so you have to set the display serial interface to match. Other than the speed change, the interconnection is normal: serial data out on the AIS receiver to serial data in on the display.

posted 11-29-2009 09:06 AM ET (US)            

Looking at the image (above) of the new GX2100 MATRIX AIS radio, it appears that the radio is configured to allow the operator to initiate a digital selective call to a target ship identified on the AIS screen. Since that might not be clear to everyone, let me explain what I mean.

Assume you are fishing at night and the AIS receiver picks up a commercial ship that is headed toward you. In the process of receiving the AIS transmission from this ship, you now have its marine mobile service identity (MMSI). You can use the MMSI to initiate a selective call to that ship's digital selective call (DSC) radio. Normally you would need to enter the MMSI code into your DSC radio to make the call. With the integration of the AIS receiver and a DSC radio in the GX2100 MATRIX AIS radio, it appears that you can make a DSC call to your AIS target simply by pushing the soft-key CALL on the front panel of the radio.

posted 12-01-2009 09:30 AM ET (US)            

There is no standard connector for the power connector on a VHF Marine Band radio, and most do not have one. Most VHF Marine Band radios I have seen employ an attached power cable with a connector somewhere in-line in the cable. My experience with ICOM and Standard-Horizon radios is that they use different types of connectors in-line in their power cables, and those connectors are not compatible.

I would not imagine that the task of adapting to a new in-line connector in a power cable would be a consideration given much priority in the selection of a VHF Marine Band radio.

posted 12-02-2009 05:55 PM ET (US)            

The problem with reliance on AIS for situational awareness is the assumption that all movable objects in the water have a transponder or that the transponder is working properly. This is clearly not the case.

At least with RADAR, almost all objects are caused to respond to the RADAR signal. While you will know their relative position, you just won't know their names. I'd rather know where they "all" are even if they are anoymous than only knowing where some are and who they are.

posted 12-05-2009 09:17 AM ET (US)            

I think the problem is we all like having too much info especially with NMEA 2000 engine data etc.

I agree that if you can justify purchasing a new VHF the little extra for AIS RX is worthwhile fun add-on, especially if you have a chart/plotter that is capable of receiving 38400 AIS HDM sentence output.

But I think very few of us are DSC’ing a 240,000T cargo vessel to ask its intention to truly justify it and without the chart/plotter that screen is small.

I think the true intention of AIS is to be active not passive IMO, which then leads you into the realms of Class B TX/RX systems starting at around $700 with separate s/s whip aerial and independent GPS aerial.

I did a quick test and went to web sites that plot AIS data in many harbors around the world and simply the number of pleasure crafts visible is negligible, for AIS to be used for avoidance.

As Pete and D20 have already noted once at this level (Class B TX/RX) your primary avoidance navigational tool should really be radar and yet again if you have a chart/plotter that is capable of receiving 38400 AIS HDM sentence outputs it will probably take radar.

Therefore, I’d rather save the $400 and put it towards broaadband radar.

Although Navicom, Icom and Standard Horizon have shown the way how cheap AIS RX can be when bundled with a VHF unit (Garmin just being to expensive currently), it should reduce the cost of independent systems eventually.

It seems odd that most are not providing NMEA 2000 AIS and are still sticking to NMEA 0183. This seems to be for several reasons.

1)Some consider that the AIS may take up to 10% of the bandwidth on your NMEA 2000 network.

2)AIS data does not really need to be network shared.

3)Reliability of NMEA 2000 and redundancy or fault tracing/finding.

4)Some OEM’s still prefer there other networking protocols.

Most of these I don’t think apply to our small boat installations and hopefully we should see AIS eventually with NMEA 2000 on most units.

posted 12-05-2009 04:31 PM ET (US)            

I recognize that Garmin has announced a similar radio, but its MSRP is about $1,000. This higher price is about two and a half times the price of the Standard Horizon.

I do not believe that ICOM has any similar radio being sold in the U.S., although I think there may be an ICOM model sold overseas that has an AIS receiver integrated with a VHF Marine Band radio; that unit is priced about $750, or nearly double the MATRIX AIS GX2100S.

posted 12-05-2009 05:56 PM ET (US)            

I did not exclusavly search US sites but I'm sure they can be found I did find one for Canada, which is close enough :)

http://radioworld.ca/index.php?cPath=118&filter_id=55

These ICON units seem in the same price band if not cheaper and UK prices are only in the mid 300's pounds

Similary the Navicom RT-650 can be found for 250's UK pounds without remote and 320's with

I understand these units have FCC approval.

I think the Standard Horizon has the edge being newer and dual band and possible easier to find in the US.

But my comment:

quote:

---

Although Navicom, Icom and Standard Horizon have shown the way how cheap AIS RX can be when bundled with a VHF unit

---

Still stands as these units have dropped considrably in price and are not dissimilar to the Standard Horizon's

With the exception of Garmin which we both note as being currently expensive.

Regards
Steve

posted 12-05-2009 11:19 PM ET (US)            

Opps my mistake there are 2 versions of the M505 with and without AIS, you are correct, sorry late night typing and the price of this unit is higher as Jim notes

However the Navicom RT-650 is a DSC VHF radio with an integrated AIS receiver can be found as I noted.

I did not wish to distract from the Standard Horizon which looks very good or compare models. I just note they are more affordable than before, excluding Garmin.

posted 12-06-2009 09:36 AM ET (US)            

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/002229.html

earlier this year (March, 2009). However, I do not believe that the Navicom RT-650 is available for sale in North America.

posted 12-06-2009 02:34 PM ET (US)            

I think your right I had enough problems trying to find the ICOM let alone the Navicom in the US.

Here in the UAE I'd probably only have access to the Garmin as they seem one of the few OEM's that support Arabic on their products, so are popular here, but no chance at $1000+

I think it's very good that with the Standard Horizon you can get a very comprehensive VHF and dual band AIS at that price.

The Icom MXA-5000 standalone AIS RX with built in splitter costs more.

Lets hope others follow and bring AIS enabled products prices down.

I think dual band AIS means : Ch. 87B (161.975MHz) and Ch. 88B (162.025MHz)

But I don't know if this always equates to both Class A and Class B AIS RX data. I'm not sure, but if you can get Class A does that mean you can always get Class B ?

I also have seen some reports that Comercial ships with full Class A may have the option to switch of Class B RX to avoid clutter, this would void my thoughts on being active rather than passive on a small boat.

I also spotted this for the wiring convention for the Standard Horizon:

AIS NMEA output 38.4 kbps
GPS NMEA in/out 4800 bps

Brown wire: NMEA 0183 – HS (38400 bps for AIS data) Input/Output: GX2100: Output, GX2000: Input

Blue wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for GPS data) Input

Gray wire: NMEA 0183 (4800 bps for DSC data) Output

Green wire: NMEA Negative (Common GND)

Regards
Steve

posted 12-06-2009 03:01 PM ET (US)            

AIS transmission can occur on two frequencies (or channels) in the VHF Marine Band which have been reserved for their exclusive use. Early versions and low-cost versions of some AIS receivers were limited to listening to only one of the channels. Later versions and more costly versions of AIS receivers listen to both channels. Listening to both channels is much preferred as it insures more likely capture of data. The channels are both located in the same radio band, so it is not appropriate to use the term "dual-band" in relationship to them. AIS receivers are either "one channel" or "two channel" devices, or perhaps "one frequency" or "two-frequency" devices.

Completely separate from the channels used to transmit, and totally unrelated except by the notion of there being two, are the designators of class of AIS service. For certain vessels, mainly commercial vessels of large size, installation and use of an AIS transponder is mandatory, and the transponder must meet all of the requirements codified as CLASS A service. Vessels which are not subject to mandatory carriage of CLASS A AIS transponders may install them if they wish, but they may also install a CLASS B AIS transponder instead. The CLASS B AIS service omits some of the data sent in CLASS A service. It is anticipated that most recreational vessels will install CLASS B transponders. The cost of a CLASS B transponder has already fallen to about $700, excluding antennas and other accessories needed.

To the best of my knowledge, AIS receivers are agnostic about reception of CLASS A and CLASS B transmissions, that is, they receive both of them equally. Certain display devices employ methods of processing the data they obtain from an AIS receiver. In some of these AIS display devices, it may be possible to install a data filter system in which vessels of a certain size may be omitted from a display in order to remove visual clutter and permit the observer to more easily interpret the presentation.

posted 01-19-2010 03:12 PM ET (US)            

http://www.standardhorizon.com/?cmd=showMarineManuals&DivisionID=3