Standard Horizon gx2200 VHF/AIS/GPS

Looks pretty good mate. You'll also save a few dollars by not having to buy a vhf/ais splitter. The only issue I see is the screen appears to be a little small, but that's definitely not a deal breaker for that price.

That looks like a great piece of kit. A VHF transceiver with built in AIS and GPS receivers has got to be the go.

Price is right so the only question is compatibility and serviceability in AUS.

I brought a Furuno Chart plotter from the US. Saved over a $1000 compared to what I was offered in Oz. That was 3 years ago. Unit is still working perfectly.
If you get a bad unit then warranty is an issue. But if it's a reputable brand/company you should be good.

It's all very well having lots of things in one unit.... But I don't like the idea of all the eggs in one basket. One fault and your fair screwed.
Separate units at least spread the chance of al lot of broken eggs/ boats.
But I guess it gives your more chances? Is that a catch 22?

I'd be happier losing use of everything apart from the depth sounder. Nothing worse than edging into an anchorage and not knowing any depths. Murky water of coarse. And how much chain to put out?

Also consider the power consumption. Having to have all three things on when you really only want to listen out on the VHF? Or can you switch them off individually?

Bubbles777 knows a bit about those units

Don,

Every commercial vessel, by law, broadcasts a AIS signal 24/7.

You get the ships name course speed etc. and they like it when you call them by name instead of BIG SHIP!

I've got the model below without AIS , works brilliantly as a radio.
So much so that when I recently sold my first yacht I removed it prior to selling.
will be installing it in my current one.
It nmea connects to a chart plotter and receives VHF data from other boats and sends it to the chart plotter.
DSC data contains gps info which when it comes though on the VHF gives you a waypoint.
With one emergency push of a button a vessels position is sent and stored on any nearby boats plotter
AIS would be a great addition.
think I paid about $200 aus

As I understand. To run a AIS unit in Australia the user must have a minumum of MROVCP and have the unit registered with a MMSI number from AMSA. They will do this for free if the unit falls into the accepted class licences (eg. A & B). However if the unit does not have a class licence then the unit will need to be checked/tested (not for free).
Therefore if unsure, check with AMSA that the unit you're buying will fall into an accepted Australian class licence.

In regards to American VHF tranceiver units there is normally a US/international toggle switch. As USA use different frequencies as the rest of the world, just so they can be a pain in the backside.

*Also to note, looking at that standard horizon model that was posted I can't see a VHF class licence in the description...hmm beware.

As you can see by this link www.boatsafe.com/us-vhf-marine-radio-channels-frequencies/

The US run simplex communications on duplex international frequencies.

Hi all,

Highly recommend getting an AIS transponder (ie transmitter/receiver) rather than just a receiver. Get your MROCP certificate (it's not hard really and strictly speaking, you should have this qualification if you use a VHF radio), then you can get an MMSI from AMSA, stick that number in your AIS, enable transmit mode, and walla! - all those big ships can see you.
You can use your AIS transponder in receive mode (so you can see all those big ships and anyone else who is transmitting AIS) until you get your MMSI.

Easy way to get your MROCP and your MMSI:
1) get the "MARINE VHF RADIO OPERATORS HANDBOOK" - from say boatbooks.com.au and read through it.
2) go to https://www.amc.edu.au/revision-questions-mrocp - this is the website of the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Tasmania.
The above link takes you to a free online MROCP revision question utility where you can practice answering MROCP exam questions until you feel confident.
3) Using the Invigilator Search on the AMC website, find an 'invigilator' (an authorised MROCP examiner) near you, and organise to sit for your MROCP for a nominal fee. He will give you a multiple choice exam paper which you do ( takes maybe an hour), he sends this to AMC who advise by letter whether you pass or fail.
4) Assuming you pass, you get a MROCP certificate (a plastic card same size as a credit card). Now get an MMSI application form from the AMSA site, fill it out quoting your certificate number and you will be issued an MMSI number.
5) Program your AIS with your MMSI number, enable AIS transmissions, and now anyone with AIS can see you

regards,
Allan

Ramona
Hard to believe there are only 5 ships between Sydney and the Victorian border at the moment, and that includes 3 anchored off Wollongong.

AIS transmitter has very low wattage, coverage along the Coast is very poor.
A couple years ago I follow friend progress from Port Phillip to Townsville , 70% invisible by the web tracking.
Considering commercial big boat don't care about you. Not sure if the transmitter is need it.
Receiver is positively nice to have. Believe the radar can give me more valuable data.

Satellite AIS reception looks like the next big thing. This will allow truly global AIS tracking.

I wondered how I was able to watch ships searching for MH370 on the marine traffic website.

Here's some info.

www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28372461

Interesting reading on the amsa site about the minimum qualifications required to use Vhf transmitters. In NSW at least there was much rejoicing when the requirement to have a license was dropped. About the same time the compulsory carrying of radios for vessels proceding to sea was introduced. The idea was that its cheaper to rescue people with radios than the cost of collecting fees. I used to have a base station years ago [and a license] the government used to patrol the area searching out houses with radio towers. I think the master class 5 also covered the radio license issue. Seems the amsa crowd have sneaked the license requirement back in!