mcmurdo Smartfind M15 User manual

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Smartfind M15, M15S
AIS Receiver
User Manual

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General Information
i. Copyright
The entire contents of this instruction manual, including
any future updates, revisions, and modifications, shall
remain the property of Netwave Systems B.V. at all times.
Unauthorized copies or reproduction of this manual,
either in part or whole, in any form of print and electronic
media, is prohibited. The contents herein can only be
used for the intended purpose of this manual.
ii. Disclaimer
The information and illustrations contained in this publication
are to the best of our knowledge correct at the time of going
to print. We reserve the right to change specifications,
equipment, installation and maintenance instructions without
notice as part of our policy of continuous product
development and improvement. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise without

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permission in writing from Netwave Systems B.V. No liability
can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions in the
publication, although every care has been taken to make it as
complete and accurate as possible.
This manual is applicable for all versions of the McMurdo
Smartfind M15 devices manufactured after March 2014.
iii. Safety Warning
It is important to know that AIS is designed
for the purpose of anti-collision and serves
as a complement to navigation. It is not the
absolute navigational equipment and does
not replace any navigational system
installed on board.
Any AIS device cannot guarantee
monitoring and receiving signals from all
vessels in the surroundings unless those
vessels are equipped with AIS devices.

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ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
Improper disassembly or modification could
cause electrical shocks, fire, or personal
injury. Contains no user-serviceable parts.
CORRECT POWER SOURCE
An incorrect power source will damage the
equipment and may even result in a fire.
Ensure that the correct power source is
provided at all times.
AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH RAIN OR
SPLASHING WATER
Electrical shock or fire could be resulted if
water leaks into the equipment.
AVOID USING CHEMICAL SOLVENTS TO
CLEAN THE CASE
As some solvents can damage the case
material.

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NOTE/INFORMATION
Throughout this manual this symbol
indicates important information.
iv. Product Category
This product is categorized as “protected” in accordance with
the requirements as defined in IEC 60945.
v. Hardware / Software Version
The model name/number, hardware information, and firmware
(software) version of the receiver can be identified through
using the McMurdo AIS Receiver Config software supplied. The
software maintenance/upgrade of the receiver can be carried
out via the USB interface.
vi. Declaration of Conformity
Hereby Netwave Systems B.V. declares that the Type Z604
(M15) & Z605 (M15S) is in compliance with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of the Radio

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Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU on radio and
telecommunications terminal equipment. A copy of the
Declaration of Conformity can be obtained on-line from:
https://www.seasofsolutions.com/support/mcmurdo/marine-
products/
vii. FCC Interference Statement
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in

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which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
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
viii. Disposal Instruction
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive aims to minimize any adverse impact of
electronic equipment on the environment, both during the
product lifetime and when it becomes waste. Within the
European Union this legislation is mandated by Directive
2002/96/EC, and there is similar legislation in most other
continents. The directive applies to all electronic products

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such as IT, household appliances, portable electronics
etc., and imposes requirements to collect, treat, recover
and recycle each product at its end of life. Electronic end-
user products must also carry a WEEE label (as below)
and recovery and recycling information has to be
provided to the recycler.
ix. IMO Green Passport Ship Recycling
Information
Netwave Systems B.V. hereby declares potentially hazardous
content in some of its electronic products. Small amounts of the
following substances may be present: beryllium oxide, lithium,
lead, brominated flame retardants, glass. In keeping with
European directive 2002/96/EC (Waste Electronic and Electrical
Equipment) and the provisions of IMO Resolution A.962 (23)

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(Guidelines On Ship Recycling), Netwave Systems B.V. strongly
recommends that its products, including any battery packs, be
disposed of in a considerate and legal manner.
x. Maintenance
All servicing must be carried out by an Netwave
Systems B.V. approved service agent. Always call your
nearest agent and talk to their service department
before returning equipment. You can find your nearest
service agent from:
 The McMurdo web site:
www.seasofsolutions.com/
 You can also send an email
to [e-mail]
and someone will be in touch to answer your
service and support questions.
 Or contact our offices:
Netwave Syatems B.V.
Blauw-roodlaan 100,

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2718 SJ Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Phone: [phone]
xi. Contact Information
For sales, services, and technical supports, please contact your
local Netwave Systems representatives or Netwave Systems
B.V at www.seasofsolutions.com or
customer[email protected]

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TABLE OF CONTENT
1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 16
1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL ........................................................................ 16
1.2 SMARTFIND M15 OVERVIEW ............................................................... 16
1.3 COMPARISON OF SMARTFIND M15 SERIES .............................................. 19
1.4 TYPE OF AIS ..................................................................................... 20
1.5 AIS MESSAGE TYPE ........................................................................... 21
1.6 IMPORTANT NOTICE ........................................................................... 23
2 GETTING STARTED ...................................................................... 24
2.1 ITEMS IN THE PACKAGE ....................................................................... 24
2.2 POWER ON / OFF ............................................................................ 26
2.3 SMARTFIND M15 LED INDICATORS ....................................................... 27
3 INSTALLATION .............................................................................. 28
3.1 SMARTFIND M15 CONNECTION INTERFACE ............................................. 28
3.2 INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS ................................................................. 29
3.3 MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................. 30
3.4 WIRING DETAILS................................................................................ 32
3.5 NMEA WIRING INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................ 33
3.5.1 NMEA0183 RS422 Connection .................................... 33

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3.5.2 RS232 Connection ....................................................... 34
3.5.3 Twin RS232 Connection .............................................. 35
3.6 VHF ANTENNA INSTALLATION ............................................................... 37
3.7 USB DRIVER INSTALLATION .................................................................. 39
3.8 SMARTFIND M15 CONFIGURATION SOFTWARE ........................................ 41
3.8.1 Software Installation ................................................ 41
3.8.2 Configuration............................................................. 45
3.8.3 Diagnosis ................................................................... 47
3.9 NMEA 0183 MULTIPLEXER ................................................................ 50
3.10 MCMURDO AIS VIEWER SOFTWARE ..................................................... 52
3.11 CONNECTING YOUR RECEIVER TO MACINTOSH .......................................... 53
4 APPENDIX ...................................................................................... 54
4.1 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................... 54
4.2 DIMENSIONS .................................................................................... 59
4.3 ACCESSORIES (OPTIONAL) ................................................................... 60
5 NETWAVE SYSTEMS B.V WORLDWIDE WARRANTY ............. 61
6 ACRONYMS ................................................................................... 65

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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 About This Manual
This manual contains installation instructions and operating
information for different McMurdo Smartfind M15 models. While
most of the installation can be performed by the owner or the
crew, a final commissioning can be carried out by your local
agent/dealer when needed or required. Netwave Systems B.V.
and the local agent/dealer will not bear any responsibilities over
any damages resulted in improper installation by unauthorized
agent/dealer.
1.2 Smartfind M15 Overview
The McMurdo Smartfind M15 (including variants) is an AIS
receiver. It receives AIS navigation data from AIS-equipped
vessels nearby and improves navigation safety. Smartfind M15
is designed to inter-operate with AIS Class A, Class B

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transponders, AIS SART, AIS MOB, and any other AIS station
operating on the AIS VHF data link.
The Smartfind M15 is built with two parallel AIS receivers in one
box monitoring the default marine VHF AIS channels, i.e.
161.975 and 162.025 MHz with optimized sensitivity. Having a
Smartfind M15 AIS receiver on board, not only can you monitor
the status of the vessels in the surrounding area, but also
receive the dynamic information (position, speed, SOG, etc.),
static information (ship name, MMSI, call sign, etc.), and voyage
related information (cargo type, destination, etc.) from any
vessels nearby that are equipped with AIS transponders.
The receivers are equipped with standard USB and NMEA0183,
the Smartfind M15 allows connectivity to most available
peripherals in the market.
The units can be either powered via the USB connection (for
M15, serial number 21-305-000106 onwards only) or from an
external 12/24V power supply.

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Users are able to view AIS information on their preferred PC
based navigation systems via the USB interface.
The Smartfind M15 is IPX2 water resistant providing acceptable
protection against water, but it does require a protected
installation environment away from water.
Figure 1 Smartfind M15

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1.3 Comparison of Smartfind M15 Series
Description Smartfind M15 Smartfind M15S
Number of AIS
Channels 2 2
USB port 1 1
NMEA 0183
Independent
1 input,
1 output
Independent
1 input,
1 output
Built-in VHF/AIS
antenna splitter No Yes

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1.4 Type of AIS
The different types of AIS devices are described below. The
Smartfind M15 is an AIS receiver.
Class A AIS
Transponder
‧ Transmits and receives AIS signal.
‧ Intended for vessels meeting the requirements of
IMO AIS carriage requirement.
‧ It is mandatory for all commercial vessels that
exceed 300 tons to be equipped with Class A
AIS.
Class B AIS
Transponder
‧ Transmits and receives AIS signal.
‧ Not necessarily in full accord with IMO AIS
carriage requirements.
‧ It is not mandatory for vessels to be equipped
with Class B AIS.
‧ Suitable for recreational vessel, in enhancing its
safety at sea.
AIS Receiver
‧ Only receives AIS signal.
‧ Does not have transmitter to send out AIS signal.
‧ Suitable for recreational vessel that does not
want to send out its vessel information.

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1.5 AIS Message Type
The Smartfind M15 can receive AIS messages from both Class
A and Class B AIS transponders as well as from AIS Base
Stations, AIS AtoN’s, and AIS SART/MOB devices. The
message types are listed as below table. The messages in grey
colour are transmitted only from a Class A AIS device.
Type of Message Data Details
Static Data
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (hereinafter
called “MMSI”) number
IMO number
Call sign and name
Type of ship
Length and beam
GPS Antenna location
Voyage Related
Data
Draught of the ship
Cargo information
Destination
Estimate Time of Arrival (hereinafter called “ETA”)

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Dynamic Data
Position of the vessel
Coordinated Universal Time (hereinafter called
“Time in UTC”.)
Course Over Ground (hereinafter called “COG”)
Speed Over Ground (hereinafter called “SOG”)
Heading
Rate of turn
Navigational status
Dynamic
Reports
Speed of the ship
Status of the ship
Safety Related
Message
(SRM)
Alarm
Safety