AIS COMAR SYSTEMS R400N User manual

USER MANUAL R400N
AIS Network Receiver with Ethernet & USB
SKU: 001-1042
R400N-MA-v06r04
2019-11-22
ENGLISH

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CONTENTS
1 NETWORK AIS RECEIVER WITH ETHERNET................................................. 4
2 DOCUMENT.......................................................................................................... 5
2.1 About This Manual........................................................................................................... 5
3 NOTICE................................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Copyright.......................................................................................................................... 6
4 GENERAL NOTICES ........................................................................................... 7
5 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 8
5.1 Background to AIS........................................................................................................... 8
5.2 About the R400N............................................................................................................. 8
6 PARTS LIST ......................................................................................................... 9
7 INSTALLATION.................................................................................................... 9
7.1 Mounting .......................................................................................................................... 9
7.2 Power Connection ........................................................................................................... 9
7.3 Antenna Installation......................................................................................................... 9
8 CONFIGURATION.............................................................................................. 10
8.1 Connection to a PC by USB.......................................................................................... 10
8.2 Connection to a Network............................................................................................... 10
8.3 Configuring the Network................................................................................................ 11
9 DISCOVERY TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS....................................................... 12
9.1 Firewalls:........................................................................................................................ 12
9.2 Trouble discovering a Digi device using Windows XP.................................................. 12
9.3 Routers or Switches:...................................................................................................... 12
9.4 Cabling:.......................................................................................................................... 12
9.5 Ethernet LED: ................................................................................................................ 12
9.6 Network Adapters:......................................................................................................... 12
10 CONFIGURING THE NETWORK SETTINGS ................................................ 13
11 OPERATION..................................................................................................... 14
12 TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................... 14
12.1 No power LED is displayed ......................................................................................... 14
12.2 Channel 1 and Channel 2 LEDs do not flash.............................................................. 14
13 SPECIFICATION .............................................................................................. 15
13.1 Electrical....................................................................................................................... 15
13.2 Receiver....................................................................................................................... 15
13.3 Physical........................................................................................................................ 15
14 LIMITED WARRANTY...................................................................................... 16

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1 NETWORK AIS RECEIVER WITH ETHERNET

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2 DOCUMENT
2.1 About This Manual
This Manual provides installation, operating Instructions and fault-finding procedures for the
equipment to which it relates.
After installation, this manual should remain with the vessel to which it relates.
This manual may also be made available in electronic Portable Document Format (PDF). In PDF
format, the following categories are all enabled as active hyperlink references: (1) The titles of
each section; (2) document cross-references; (3) the table of contents.
This document may therefore be navigated quickly and effectively by using a mouse or other
pointing device to activate each of these hyperlinks. This is a printer friendly document, designed
to be printed 2-sided as a booklet with A5 pages on A4 stock paper.
Document name:
Date:
Details:
Author:
SLR350N-MA-v01r01
2015-08-20
Updated issue
MB, FC
SLR350N-MA-v05r01
2018-01-31
Updated Format
JS
R400N-MA-v06r01
2018-10-18
Product Name Change & Formatting
TSI
R400N-MA-v06r02
2018-04-24
Image & Specification Update
TSI
R400N-MA-v06r03
2019-11-06
FCC Statements / Formatting
TSI
R400N-MA-v06r04
2019-11-22
Specifications & Parts List Updates
TSI

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3 NOTICE
3.1 Copyright
The copyright and all rights of a like nature in respect of this publication in any part of the world
are the property of COMAR SYSTEMS LTD. (COMAR).
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, whether
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, nor stored in any information
retrieval system of any kind, nor used for tendering or manufacturing, nor communicated to any
other person without the written permission of COMAR.
The recipient of this document, as its registered holder, must exercise due diligence in ensuring
that the above conditions are observed (Errors and Omissions Excepted).
Any enquiries relating to this document or its contents should be addressed, in writing, in the first
instance to COMAR SYSTEMS LTD.
COMAR SYSTEMS
Vittlefields Technology Centre
Forest Road
NEWPORT
Isle of Wight
PO30 4LY
UNITED KINGDOM
tel: [phone]
email:
[email protected]
web: www.
comarsystems.com
COMAR SYSTEMS reserves the right to make changes to its products and specifications without notice

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4 GENERAL NOTICES
SAFETY: Make sure the power supply is switched off before you make any electrical
connections to the unit.
INSTALLATION: This equipment must be installed in accordance with the instructions
provided in this manual. Failure to do so could result in poor performance, personal injury
and/or damage to your vessel and/or connected equipment.
CABLES: The supplied cables should only be cut, shortened or lengthened by an
appropriate supplier.
COMPASS: The compass safe distance of this unit is 0.5 m or greater for 0.3° deviation.
In accordance with a policy of continual development and product improvement, hardware and
software may be upgraded from time to time, and future versions of equipment may therefore not
correspond exactly with this manual.
When necessary, upgrades to the product will be accompanied by updates or addenda to this
manual. Information contained in this manual is liable to change without notice.
Comar Systems Ltd. disclaims any liability for consequences arising from omissions or
inaccuracies in this manual and any other documentation provided with this product.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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5 INTRODUCTION
5.1 Background to AIS
AIS is an Automatic Identification System. For improved safety and specifically for collision
avoidance reasons, vessels need to know the position, details and navigational intentions ofother
vessels within VHF range.
IMO regulations covering most commercial vessels worldwide have been passed requiring that
AIS transponders are fitted to all commercial vessels over 300 GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage)
on international voyages.
The transponders use VHF frequencies to:
Transmit details of their own vessel
Receive details from other vessels or navigation aids within VHF range
5.2 About the R400N
The R400N isa dual channel AIS receiver unit with built in Ethernet and USB interfaces, designed
specifically for coastal monitoring of AIS equipped vessels.
Connected to an Ethernet Network and directly or via a Router to a PC running compatible
software, AIS data transmitted from ships within range can be displayed on the screen giving a
visual interpretation of the traffic within VHF range. The unit can also be mounted at a remote
location and AIS data sent over the Internet to a fixed IP address for use on a dedicated server.
A USB connection is also provided for local monitoring of AIS traffic on a local PC.
Information transmitted from vessels fitted with AIS transponders includes:
•Name of Vessel
•Call Sign
•Type of Vessel
•Speed (SOG)
•Course (COG)
•Heading
•Position
•Navigational Status
•Vessel Dimensions
•MMSI Number
•IMO Number
•Draft
•Rate of Turn
•Size of Vessel
•Status
•Destination
•ETA
•Cargo
Note: Not all the above information is necessarily transmitted by each vessel.

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6 PARTS LIST
Before proceeding with the installation of the R400N, check the contents of the box which should
include:
The R400N AIS Receiver Unit
Universal 100-250 V ac / 12 V dc Power Supply
Antenna Connector Adaptor
USB Cable
Network Cable
R400N Installation CD
This Manual
7 INSTALLATION
7.1 Mounting
The R400N Receiver can be mounted to a suitable bulkhead or shelf.
Hint: Select a location away from excessive heatsources, avoid high levels of vibration and shock.
7.2 Power Connection
Fit the universal power supply with the correct adaptor for your local power. Plug the 2.1 mm jack
into the rear of the R400N and switch on the power.
Hint: Alternatively the unit will accept 9-30 V dc from an alternative source capable of supplying
1 Amp. The centre pin is Positive.
7.3 Antenna Installation
A VHF antenna is not supplied as the type of antenna and cable requirements differ for each
installation. An antenna can be acquired from a local marine electronics outlet.
Shore based reception is governed by local terrain, however an open view to the sea with an
antenna mounted in the clear at a height of approximately 20 metres will achieve 25 miles plus,
higher gain antenna can be used on shore to further increase the range.
Hint: The antenna connector type is BNC, 50Ω
Hint: The higher the antenna is located, the greater the range
Hint: Mount the antenna with a relatively clear view of the horizon. Large obstructions that might
shade the antenna should be avoided.
Hint: A higher gain antenna will increase reception range.
Hint: Normally an omni-directional antenna is recommended; however a directional antenna such
as a 3 element Yagi can be used to increase range in one particular direction.

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8 CONFIGURATION
8.1 Connection to a PC by USB
The R400N can be monitored locally by connecting it via the USB port to a PC. The drivers
supplied on the CD create a virtual com Port so that data can be viewed by the supplied Comar
AIS Viewer program or by any other AIS viewing program which requires a com port connection.
8.2 Connection to a Network
The R400N can be connected to a standard PC, Network Router or Switch. Note if connecting
directly to a PC you will need a crossover cable.
When connected to a network the yellow LED on the network connection should be on. If no
yellow LED is shown then the unit has not detected a link. The green LED will blink when data is
transmitted or received.
The CD included with the product contains the program Digi Device Discovery utility program
for setting up and configuring the unit.