ComNav Class B AIS User manual

INSTALLATION & OPERATIONS MANUAL
Version 1.0
Class B AIS Transceiver • Mariner X2
Automatic Identification System

Thank you for buying this AIS Class B transceiver.
This product has been engineered to offer you the highest level of performance
and durability and we hope that it will provide many years of reliable service. We
constantly strive to achieve the highest possible quality standards, should you
encounter any problems with this product, please contact your dealer who will
be pleased to offer whatever assistance you require.

1 Notices .............................................................................. 1
1.1 Safety warnings.................................................................. 1
1.2 General notices .................................................................. 1
2 About your AIS class B transceiver ............................... 4
2.1 About AIS ........................................................................... 4
2.2 Static and dynamic vessel data.......................................... 4
2.3 Important information for US customers............................. 5
2.4 What's in the box? .............................................................. 6
3 Installation ...................................................................... 10
3.1 Preparing for Installation .................................................. 10
3.2 Installation procedures ..................................................... 12
4 Configuring your AIS transceiver ................................. 23
4.1 Switching on your AIS transceiver for the first time.......... 23
4.2 Configuring your AIS transceiver...................................... 23
4.3 Introduction to proAIS2..................................................... 24
4.4 Installing proAIS2 ............................................................. 24
4.5 Configuration using proAIS2 ............................................ 24
5 Operation ........................................................................ 25
5.1 Using the AIS transceiver................................................. 25
5.2 Switch functions ............................................................... 25
5.3 Using proAIS2 with your AIS transceiver ......................... 25
5.4 Indicator functions ............................................................ 26
6 Troubleshooting ............................................................. 28
7 Specifications ................................................................. 29
Figure 1 Items included with the product............................ 6
Figure 2 AIS transceiver overview...................................... 8
Figure 3 Electrical connections to the AIS transceiver ....... 9
Figure 4 Typical installation configuration ........................ 10
Figure 5 AIS transceiver dimensions................................ 13
Figure 6 AIS transceiver mounting ................................... 14
Figure 7 GPS antenna mounting...................................... 15
Figure 8 Position of the GPS antenna connector ............. 16
Figure 9 Position of the VHF antenna connector ............. 17
Figure 10 Connecting an external switch ........................... 19
Figure 11 Connecting to the NMEA0183 data port ............ 20
Figure 12 Connecting the power supply.............................22
Figure 13 Indicator functions .............................................. 23
Figure 14 Indicator location on the AIS transceiver unit..... 26
Table of contents Table of figures

Notices
Page 1
1Notices
1.1 Safety warnings
1.2 General notices
Position source
All marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceivers utilise a satellite based location system such as the Global Positioning
Satellite (GPS) network.
The accuracy of a GPS position fix is variable and is affected by factors such as the antenna positioning, how many satellites are used
to determine a position and how long satellite information has been received for.
Compass safe distance
The compass safe distance of this unit is 0.2m or greater for 0.3° deviation.
RF emissions notice
Caution: The AIS transceiver generates and radiates radio frequency electromagnetic energy. This equipment must be installed and
operated according to the instructions contained in this manual. Failure to do so can result in personal injury and / or AIS transceiver
malfunction.
Caution: Never operate the AIS transceiver unless it is connected to a VHF antenna.
When reading this manual please pay attention to warnings marked with the warning triangle shown on the left.
These are important messages for safety, installation and usage of the product.
!
This equipment must be installed in accordance with the instructions provided in this manual.
!
This AIS transceiver is an aid to navigation and must not be relied upon to provide accurate navigation
information. AIS is not a replacement for vigilant human lookouts and other navigation aids such as RADAR. The
performance of the transceiver may be seriously impaired if not installed as instructed in the user manual, or
due to other factors such as weather and or nearby transmitting devices. Compatibility with other systems may
vary and is reliant on the third party systems recognising the standard outputs from the transceiver. The
manufacturer reserves the right to update and change these specifications at any time and without notice.
!
Do not install this equipment in a flammable atmosphere such as in an engine room or near to fuel tanks.
!

Notices
Page 2
To maximise performance and minimise human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy you must make sure that the
antenna is mounted at least 1.5 metres away from the AIS transceiver and is connected to the AIS transceiver before power is applied.
The system has a Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) radius of 1.5m. This has been determined assuming the maximum power of
the AIS transceiver and using antennas with a maximum gain of 3dBi.The antenna should be mounted 3.5m above the deck in order to
meet RF exposure requirements. Higher gain antennas will require a greater MPE radius. Do not operate the unit when anyone is within
the MPE radius of the antenna (unless they are shielded from the antenna field by a grounded metallic barrier). The antenna should not
be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other transmitting antenna. The required antenna impedance is 50 Ohms.
Warranty
This product is supplied with standard warranty as defined in the accompanying warranty information.
Disposal of this product and packaging
Please dispose of the AIS transceiver in accordance with the European WEEE Directive or with the applicable local regulations for
disposal of electrical equipment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the packaging for this product is recyclable. Please dispose of the packaging in an
environmentally friendly manner.
Accuracy of this manual
The AIS transceiver may be upgraded from time to time and future versions of the AIS transceiver may therefore not correspond exactly
with this manual. Information contained in this manual is liable to change without notice. The manufacturer of this product disclaims any
liability for consequences arising from omissions or inaccuracies in this manual and any other documentation provided with this product.
Declaration of conformity
The manufacturer of this product declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other provisions of the
R&TTE directive. The declaration of conformity is provided with the product document pack.
The product carries the CE mark, notified body number and alert symbol as required by the R&TTE directive.
The product is intended for sale in the following member states: Great Britain, France, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal,
Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany and Czech Republic.
!
Any attempt to tamper with or damage this product will invalidate the warranty.

Notices
Page 3
FCC notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications.
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.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
Industry Canada notice
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est
autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :
1. L'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et
2. L'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre
le Fonctionnement.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
WARNING: It is a violation of the rules of the Federal Communications Commission to input an MMSI that has not
been properly assigned to the end user, or to otherwise input any inaccurate data in this device.
!

About your AIS class B transceiver
Page 4
2 About your AIS class B transceiver
2.1 About AIS
The marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a location and vessel information reporting system. It allows vessels equipped with
AIS to automatically and dynamically share and regularly update their position, speed, course and other information such as vessel
identity with similarly equipped vessels. Position is derived from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and communication between
vessels is by Very High Frequency (VHF) digital transmissions.
There are a number of types of AIS device as follows:
•Class A transceivers. These are similar to class B transceivers, but are designed to be fitted to large vessels such as cargo ships
and large passenger vessels. Class A transceivers transmit at a higher VHF signal power than class B transceivers and therefore
can be received by more distant vessels. They also transmit Class A transceivers are mandatory on all vessels over 300 gross
tonnes on international voyages and certain types of passenger vessels under SOLAS regulations.
•Class B transceivers. Similar to class A transceivers in many ways, but are normally lower cost due to the less stringent
performance requirements. Class B transceivers transmit at a lower power and at a lower reporting rate than class A transceivers.
•AIS base stations. AIS base stations are used by Vessel Traffic Systems to monitor and control the transmissions of AIS transceivers.
•Aids to Navigation (AtoN) transceivers. AtoNs are transceivers mounted on buoys or other hazards to shipping which transmit
details of their location to the surrounding vessels.
•AIS receivers. AIS receivers will generally receive transmissions from class A transceivers, class B transceivers, AtoNs and AIS
base stations but do not transmit any information about the vessel on which they are installed.
This product is an AIS Class B transceiver.
2.2 Static and dynamic vessel data
There are two categories of information transmitted by an AIS transceiver: static and dynamic data.
The vessel's dynamic data, which includes location, speed over ground (SOG) and course over ground (COG), is calculated
automatically using the internal GPS receiver.
Static data is information about the vessel which must be programmed into the AIS transceiver. This includes:
• Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
• Vessel name
• Vessel call sign (if available)
• Vessel type
• Vessel dimensions

About your AIS class B transceiver
Page 5
In most countries the operation of an AIS transceiver is included under the vessel's marine VHF licence provisions. The vessel on to
which the AIS unit is to be installed must therefore possess a current VHF radiotelephone licence which lists the AIS system, vessel Call
Sign and MMSI number.
2.3 Important information for US customers
There are specific laws in the USA regarding the configuration of AIS class B transceivers.
If you are a US resident and intend to use your AIS class B transceiver in US waters, you should make sure that your retailer has
configured your product prior to supplying it to you. If your AIS transceiver has not been pre-configured please contact your dealer for
details of how to have it configured.
An MMSI number is required in order for the AIS transceiver to operate. Please contact the relevant authority in your
country for more information.
!
In the United States of America, the MMSI and static data must only be entered by a competent installer. The end user
of the equipment is not authorised to enter their own vessel data.
!

About your AIS class B transceiver
Page 6
2.4 What's in the box?
Figure 1 shows the items included with your AIS transceiver purchase. The following sections give a brief overview of each item. Please
ensure all items are present and if any of the items are not present contact your dealer.
Figure 1 Items included with the product
Screws
(packet of 4)
Quick
start guide
Product manual
Class B AIS transceiver Power and data cable
Product CD
Warranty
information

About your AIS class B transceiver
Page 7
Support tools CD
The CD supplied with the package contains the following:
- proAIS2 software tool necessary to configure the AIS transceiver. Please refer to section 4 for details of the configuration process
and how to use the proAIS2 tool.
- USB drivers required to connect to the AIS transceiver via USB.
- Alternative language versions of this manual.
Quick start guide
The quick start guide gives a handy one page reference for the installation process.
Product manual
This document is the product manual and should be read thoroughly prior to any attempt to install or use the AIS transceiver.
Fixing screws
Four fixing screws are provided with the product for mounting of the AIS transceiver. Please refer to section 3.2 for details of how to
mount the AIS transceiver.
AIS transceiver unit
Figure 2 shows an overview of the AIS transceiver unit.
The AIS transceiver has a number of indicators which provide information to the user about the status of the AIS transceiver. Please
refer to section 5.4 for more details of indicator functions.
The AIS transceiver has an internal GPS antenna. You should ensure that the transceiver is mounted where it has a clear view of the
sky, or alternatively connect an external GPS antenna which is available from your dealer as an accessory.
Power, data and USB cable
The power and data cable connects to the AIS transceiver and enables connection to power, NMEA0183, external silent mode switch
and USB.
Do not attempt to adjust or remove the fixings next to each of the four mounting holes. These fixings form part of the
sealing of the AIS transceiver and any modification could affect the product's performance and will invalidate the
product's warranty.
!

About your AIS class B transceiver
Page 8
Figure 2 AIS transceiver overview
Electrical connections
The AIS transceiver has the following electrical connections:
• Power supply
• Two independent NMEA0183 data ports for connection to chart plotters and other NMEA0183 compatible equipment
• USB for connection to a PC or Mac
• External switch input for silent mode control
• NMEA2000 port for connection to NMEA2000 compatible equipment
Green Amber Red Blue
Power and data GPS antenna
NMEA 2000 VHF antenna
Indicator lights
Mounting
holes
Mounting
holes

About your AIS class B transceiver
Page 9
In addition there are two other connections for the VHF antenna and an optional external GPS antenna. Figure 3 shows an overview of
the electrical connections to the AIS transceiver.
Figure 3 Electrical connections to the AIS transceiver
Power in
NMEA 2000
Switch
NMEA0183
device
Chartplotter
USB
AIS Class B
transceiver

Installation
Page 10
3 Installation
3.1 Preparing for Installation
Figure 4 shows a typical installation configuration for the AIS transceiver. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the system
elements and their connections prior to attempting installation.
Figure 4 Typical installation configuration
VHF antenna
GPS antenna
(optional)
Chartplotter
Power in
NMEA 2000
Switch
NMEA0183 device
USB
AIS Class B
transceiver

Installation
Page 11
In addition to the items provided with your AIS transceiver the following items will be required for installation:
VHF antenna
Connection to a suitable VHF antenna will be required for the AIS transceiver to operate. A standard marine band VHF antenna such as
that used with VHF voice radios will be sufficient. Please take note of the warnings in section 1 regarding the use of antennas.
Alternatively, if you wish to use an existing VHF antenna, antenna splitter products are available which allow the existing antenna to be
used with two radio devices, such as a VHF voice radio and the AIS transceiver.
Optional external GPS antenna
The transceiver has an internal GPS antenna. When the transceiver is mounted in a location with a clear sky view (for example, beneath
a windshield or other non-metallic structure) an external GPS antenna is not required. Should it not be possible to mount the transceiver
in a suitable location then an external GPS antenna can be connected. A compatible GPS antenna is available from your dealer as an
accessory.
Optional switch
A switch can be connected to the transceiver to enable and disable 'silent mode' (see section 3.2). A latching toggle switch is
required to use this feature.
VHF antenna cable
Please check that the VHF antenna you intend to use has sufficient cable to reach between the VHF antenna and the AIS transceiver
unit. If it is not sufficient you will need an extension cable. Please contact your dealer for details of suitable products. For reference the
VHF antenna connector type on the AIS transceiver unit is SO 239, and is intended to mate with a PL 259 connector.
Power and data cable
The AIS transceiver unit is supplied with a two metre long power and data cable as an accessory. If you require longer cables to reach
your power supply, please ensure the cables are capable of carrying currents of up to 2A peak and 200mA on average. Means of
connecting the cables together will also be required. The use of ScotchlokTM connectors is recommended for this purpose.
Chart plotter
To display received AIS messages as other vessels on your chart plotter, you will need to connect your AIS transceiver to your chart
plotter. Please refer to the user manual supplied with your chart plotter for details of how to connect and configure your chart plotter for
use with AIS devices. For general guidance your chart plotter should be configured to accept NMEA data at 38400 baud (sometimes
referred to as 'NMEA HS' in the plotter configuration menu). You may also need to enable the display of AIS targets in the chart options.
Alternatively if you use an NMEA2000 network on your vessel it is possible to connect the AIS transceiver to the NMEA2000 network via
a suitable cable. Please refer to your dealer for details of NMEA2000 cables.
When selecting an AIS antenna splitter make sure it is capable of operation with an AIS transceiver. Some AIS
antenna splitters are designed to work only with AIS receivers. Please check with your dealer to ensure you
purchase the correct type of antenna splitter.
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Installation
Page 12
Connection to a PC or Mac
If you choose to use a PC or Mac with suitable charting software to display received AIS messages as other vessels, this can be
accomplished by connecting the USB connector on the supplied power and data cable.
3.2 Installation procedures
Before beginning installation of your AIS transceiver, please ensure you have the necessary additional items as detailed in section 3.1.
It is strongly recommended that you read all of the instructions in this manual prior to installation.
If after reading this manual you are unsure about any element of the installation process please contact your dealer for advice.
The following sections explain the installation process step by step for each of the main elements of the system.
Step 1 - Installing the AIS transceiver
Please note the following guidelines when selecting a location for your AIS transceiver:
• The AIS transceiver must be fitted in a location where it is at least 0.2m from a compass or any magnetic device.
• There should be adequate space around the AIS transceiver for routing of cables. See Figure 5 for details of the AIS transceiver
dimensions.
• The ambient temperature around the AIS transceiver should be maintained between -25°C and +55°C.
• The AIS transceiver should not be located in a flammable or hazardous atmosphere such as in an engine room or near to fuel tanks.
• The AIS transceiver is fully waterproof to ingress protection rating IPx7, however it is recommended that the AIS transceiver is not
subjected to extended periods of exposure to spray or submersion.
• It is recommended that the AIS transceiver is installed in a 'below decks' environment.
• It is acceptable to mount the AIS transceiver either vertically or horizontally.
• The product is supplied with four self tapping screws for attachment of the AIS transceiver to a suitable surface. Please refer to
Figure 6 for guidance.
• The AIS transceiver should be mounted in a location where the indicators are readily visible as these provide important information
on the status of the AIS transceiver.
• If the internal GPS antenna is used the AIS transceiver should be mounted in a location with a clear sky view. The internal GPS
antenna is mounted below the top surface of the transceiver enclosure.

Installation
Page 13
Figure 5 AIS transceiver dimensions
140 mm
42 mm
100 mm
42 mm
128 mm

Installation
Page 14
Figure 6 AIS transceiver mounting

Installation
Page 15
Step 2 - Installing an optional external GPS antenna
For mounting of the optional external GPS antenna you will require a one inch 14 TPI thread pole.
You should ensure the GPS antenna has a good clear view of the entire sky.
It is not recommended that the GPS antenna is mounted up a mast where the motion of the vessel will cause the antenna to swing and
potentially reduce the accuracy of the GPS position.
Do not mount your antenna in the direct path of a radar transmitter.
Feed the ten metre long cable attached to the GPS antenna cable through the pole and screw the antenna onto the pole mount as
shown in Figure 7.
Route the cable to your AIS transceiver unit, adding any necessary extension cables.
Connect the cable from the GPS antenna to the GPS connector on the AIS transceiver as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 7 GPS antenna mounting

Installation
Page 16
Figure 8 Position of the GPS antenna connector
Power and data GPS antenna
NMEA 2000 VHF antenna

Installation
Page 17
Step 3 - Connecting the VHF antenna
Route the cable from the VHF antenna to the AIS transceiver and connect to the VHF connector on the AIS transceiver as shown in
Figure 9.
A standard marine band VHF antenna or AIS antenna should be used with the AIS transceiver. The connector type on the AIS
transceiver is SO239. Your chosen VHF antenna requires a PL259 connector to mate with this. If your VHF antenna does not use this
type of connector please contact your dealer for details of available adaptors.
Figure 9 Position of the VHF antenna connector
Power and data GPS antenna
NMEA 2000 VHF antenna