Navico SIMRAD AI50 Instruction manual

MANUAL
SIMRAD AI50
Class B Transceiver
988-0168-003 Iss.3.0
English

2 Contents
The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this publication were 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 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 prior permission from Navico UK Ltd.
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.
© 2007 Navico UK Ltd
988-0168-003 Iss.3.0 Sep 07 WP

Contents 3
Contents
1 Introduction 9
1.1 General overview 9
1.2 About this manual 10
1.3 SimNet/NMEA2000 10
1.4 WR20 Remote (not supplied) 10
2 Installation 13
2.1 General 13
2.2 Panel mounting 13
2.3 Bracket mounting 14
2.4 GPS antenna 14
2.5 VHF antenna 16
2.6 Power/data cable 18
2.7 SimNet cable 18
2.8 SD card (not supplied) 19
3 Keypad Overview 21
3.1 Layout 21
3.2 PWR/Lights key (powering on/off) 22
3.3 Navigation keys 22
Display mode 22
Menu mode 22
Data entry mode 23
3.4 Zoom keys 23
3.5 ENTER/MENU 23
3.6 INFO/STATUS 23
3.7 TRACK/CLR TRK 23

4 Contents
3.8 HOME/DSC 24
3.9 VIEW/DISPLAY 24
3.10 PWR/ (backlight adjustment) 24
4 Menu Navigation 25
4.1 General operation 25
4.2 Navigation keys 25
4.3 Data entry mode 25
4.4 ENTER/MENU 25
5 Initial Configuration 27
5.1 Window display convention 27
5.2 Initial start up sequence 28
5.3 Ship configuration procedure 29
MMSI Entry 30
Vessel type entry 32
Vessel dimensions & GPS reference 32
Call sign entry 34
Vessel name entry 34
6 Menu Mode 35
6.1 General 35
6.2 Display mode settings 35
Coastline detail 35
Tracking offset 36
Display offset 36
Show range rings 37
6.3 Display settings 37
Display brightness 38

Contents 5
Keypad brightness 38
Keypad color 38
Display palette 38
6.4 Favorites List 39
Adding an entry 39
Edit entry 41
Delete entry 41
6.5 Alarm setup 41
Collision alarms 42
Lost vessel alarms 45
Favorites alarm 46
6.6 System setup 46
Units of measure 46
Set local time 47
Ship configuration 48
Key beeps 48
Set language 48
Data logging 49
Transmit enable 51
Reset options 51
6.7 SimNet/NMEA2000 52
Data sources 52
Network management 53
Network list 54
Remote enable 54
DSC Radio select 54
6.8 Product info 55

6 Contents
7 AIS Map Mode 57
7.1 General 57
7.2 Vessel icon detail 57
7.3 Range rings/info 58
7.4 Point of view 59
7.5 Coast line detail 59
7.6 Cursor 60
7.7 Transmit legend 60
7.8 Vessel information 60
Own vessel 61
Other vessel’s info (reduced list) 61
Other vessel (full list) 62
Other vessel (minimal list) 62
7.9 Features for vessel information 63
7.10 Making a DSC call (map mode) 63
7.11 Text mode 64
Changing the sort order 65
7.12 Making a DSC call (text mode) 65
7.13 Tracking individual vessels 65
7.14 Tracking your own vessel 66
7.15 Clearing down all trails 66
7.16 Light adjustment (short cut) 67
7.17 KeyLock function 67

Contents 7
8 Alarms 69
8.1 General 69
8.2 Collision avoidance alarms 70
CPA/TCPA alarm 70
Lost vessel alarm (1) 72
Guard zone alarm 72
8.3 BIIT alarm 73
8.4 Lost vessel alarm (2) 73
8.5 Favorites alarm 74
8.6 Loss of compass heading data 74
8.7 Safety message alarm 75
9 Appendix 77
9.1 Maintenance 77
9.2 Troubleshooting 77
9.3 Accessories 78
9.4 Product specifications 78
9.5 Dimensions 80
9.6 Service and warranty 80
9.7 Declaration of Conformity (EU) 81
10 Index 83

8 Contents
Blank page

Introduction 9
1 Introduction
1.1 General overview
The AI50 is a collision warning device that has been
designed for maximum safety. It is housed in a rugged
waterproof enclosure to withstand the rigors of the
marine environment and it has a bright, crystal clear,
color display for easy viewing.
Figure 1.1 - AI50 Class B Transceiver
It displays the position of other AIS transmitting vessels
within VHF range and allows other vessels and shore based
stations to see you - even at night or in poor visibility.
With safety in mind it is very easy to initiate calls to target
vessels via a networked DSC VHF Radio.
The AI50 can be flush mounted or bracket mounted and
be located at any convenient position such as the helm
pod or at the navigation table.
The AI50 uses a sophisticated automatic digital time sharing
technology which enable the exchange of static information
like; MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identifier) Number,
Vessel’s Name, Call Sign and Type. Also dynamic data like;
Position, Course, Distance and more, from ship to ship,
and from ship to shore based traffic stations.

10 Introduction
The advantages of the AI50 are:
Increased awareness of the current shipping
situation within your VHF range through the
exchange of data between vessels.
Improving traffic management in busy shipping
lanes through exchanging information between
vessels and shore based traffic stations.
Reporting information automatically in shipping
areas where it is mandatory.
As with all electronic navigational equipment, it is
only an aid to navigation and should not be used as
a substitute for good seamanship.
Remember - Maritime law requires that you keep a
good lookout at all times.
The position of a vessel on the screen is the
position of the most recent transmission and may
not be the current position.
1.2 About this manual
The manual combines operating and installation
information for the AI50. Operation is sub-divided into
main working categories for easy reference.
1.3 SimNet/NMEA2000
SimNet is Simrad’s proprietary high speed data bus
network complete with NMEA2000. It provides intelligent
sharing of data and control information between a wide
range of marine electronics and instruments.
1.4 WR20 Remote (not supplied)
The WR20 Remote Commander is a handheld wireless
command centre, which enables you to remotely control
your AI50, as well as all of your other SimNet electronics,
such as Plotters/Radar, Autopilots and Instruments. It will
also control the VHF with the advanced features of voice
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Introduction 11
calls, and when paired to a mobile phone it offers the
same operating features as a Bluetooth Handset.
The WR20 Handset has been designed to survive the
rigours of the marine environment. It has a tough, sealed
body that is fully waterproof and houses an integral Li-
Ion rechargeable battery that is automatically charged
whenever it is placed in its cradle.
For further information on the WR20 and other Simrad
Products, visit our web site at www.simradyachting.com.
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12 Introduction
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Installation 13
2 Installation
2.1 General
The AI50 can be flush mounted or bracket mounted,
however, to determine the best possible location for good
navigation, you need to consider these few options:
For ease of use - keep it within easy reach
For good screen visibility - keep away from direct
sunlight if possible
Ensure good ventilation
Decide how and where, you are going to run the
cabling from the rear of the unit.
The AI50 is very simple to install, however, the
performance of the equipment is directly affected by the
quality of the installation. Please read these instructions
carefully before attempting installation. If in any doubt,
consult a qualified marine electronics engineer.
2.2 Panel mounting
The transceiver requires a flat surface with an area of at
least 172mm x 115mm (6.8in x 4.5in) for mounting.
Figure. 2.1 – Panel Cut-out drawing
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14 Installation
Allow sufficient space behind the unit for cable entry – at
least 50mm (2.0in), in addition to the depth of the unit, is
recommended.
The surface should be rigid and sturdy enough to be able
to support the weight of the unit, taking into account the
shock loads likely to be encountered when the vessel is
under way in heavy seas.
Remove the backing paper and stick the cutting
template onto your console or panel where the unit
is to be mounted.
Drill a 2.5mm hole in each corner, where shown, to
fasten the unit.
Drill 8 x 6mm holes where shown to assist in
cutting the case peripheral hole.
Carefully cut the hole where shown on the
template.
Remove the template.
Assemble case gasket to the rear of the AI50 unit.
Place the AI50 unit in the cut-out and fasten with 4
self tapping screws into 2.5mm holes.
Carefully remove 4 corners, (3 left and 3 right
supplied), from the moulding rosette. (Note: they
are numbered 1 and 2 on rear)
Place the 4 snap fit, removable corner covers into
place. (No.1 is placed in the bottom left and top
right position, No. 2 is placed in the top left and
bottom right position.
2.3 Bracket mounting
Using the supplied bracket as a template, hold it against
the surface it is going to be mounted on. With a marker
pen, make a mark through the centre of the holes and
drill a 3.5mm pilot hole on each mark. Secure to the
surface with the supplied self tapping screws.
2.4 GPS antenna
The antenna, ideally needs to be mounted as low
as possible with a clear view of the sky to minimise
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Installation 15
errors due to movement over and above the transitory
movement of the vessel.
The GPS antenna is capable of being flush mounted on
a suitable flat area of the cabin roof or deck area. In
this configuration, fit the supplied rubber gasket under
the antenna and use the four threaded studs, nuts and
washers to fix the antenna down.
The cable can be routed in the molding to drop down
directly underneath, or by breaking out the thin traps, the
cable can be routed out of the side of the antenna.
Alternatively, the antenna may be fixed on a standard 1”
threaded mounting pole (Not supplied). Attach the supplied
mounting base to the antenna with the four screws, thread
the cable down the center hole and through the pole.
Thread the pole into the mounting base, before attaching
the pole to the superstructure.
DO NOT connect your antenna using further extension
cables, or remove the connector, as this may degrade the
reception to a point where it may not function correctly.
To minimize interference, place the antenna in a position
away from steel constructions, wires, metal masts, sources
of electrical interference, such as radar etc. If installing
the GPS antenna close to other antennas, mount it either
above or below their radiation beams.
The antenna cable is terminated in a push fit connector
(SMB). Push the antenna plug firmly into the socket on the
back of the AI50.
The following drawing is a guide to the connections on the
rear of the unit. Figure 2.2.
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16 Installation
Figure. 2.2 - Rear view connections
2.5 VHF antenna
North American Users - To meet FCC (Federal
Communications Commission) rules on Radio Frequency
Exposure, it is recommended that the VHF antenna
is mounted at least 3m (10ft) away from any area
accessible to any personnel on board. If this distance is
achieved by vertical separation, the antenna must be at
least 5m (16.5ft) above deck. This guideline applies only
to antennas not exceeding 3dBi gain.
Failure to observe these recommendations may
expose those within the MPE (Maximum Permitted
Exposure) radius of 1m (3ft) to RF absorption levels
that exceed the FCC safe limits.
The most important factor in the performance of any
AIS transceiver will be the quality and positioning of the
antenna.
As the range of VHF signals are governed by line of sight,
the antenna should be placed as high as possible, while
remaining clear of any metallic objects.
Long whip antennae are generally recommended for
larger boats, although the most popular antennae for
marine use is 1m (3ft 3in) long. On sailboats these are
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Installation 17
usually mounted on the masthead, where the length of
the antenna keeps it clear from the navigation lights and
wind vanes. This type of antenna can also be mounted on
the cockpit roof or powerboat garages.
For maximum range, it is recommended that a VHF
antenna specifically tuned for use with an AIS is used,
and mounted away from the standard VHF antenna.
Vertical separation is preferred, but where this is
not practical, at least 5 metre horizontal spacing is
recommended
The antenna coaxial cable and any connectors used
must be rated at 50Ω. Under no circumstances
should standard domestic TV cable and connectors
be used. Incorrectly rated cabling and connectors
could result in power not reaching the antenna, but
also power could be reflected back into the AI50
unit, reducing its performance.
The quality of any connections and integrity of the
cable will directly affect the performance of the radio.
Poor soldering or corrosion of the terminals can impair
performance. We recommend that screw or crimp
terminal type connectors are not used for any through
deck fittings - a good quality waterproof solder terminal
connector will be less susceptible to poor connection due
to corrosion of the contacts.
To ensure the best performance of the radio, the antenna
cable should be routed where it is least likely to interfere
with, or receive interference from other electronic
equipment, such as echo sounder transducer cables and
high current carrying cables.
The antenna cable should terminate in a standard marine
PL259 plug fitting. Connect the antenna plug to the
socket on the back of the AI50 and screw the retaining
collar down. Figure 2.3.

18 Installation
Figure 2.3 - VHF Antenna connection
To avoid possible water damage to the transceiver, it is
recommended that all cables are looped to provide a drip
path.
2.6 Power/data cable
Power cable
The electrical installation is quite straightforward - push
the connector end of the supplied Power/Data cable firmly
into the socket on the rear of the unit. The Power cable
has two wires, one red and one black. Connect the red
cable to +12V via a 2 Amp fuse, and the black cable to 0V.
Data cable
The data cable is used for connectivity to AIS enabled
chart plotters with NMEA0183-HS interface. The Data
cable is screened and has four wires. For connection data
refer to the following table.
Signal Color Comment
Out +ve Orange
Out -ve Blue
In +ve Yellow Not Used
In -ve Green Not Used
Figure 2.4 - NMEA0183-HS connections
(NMEA0183-HS is specified at 38.4kbaud and is not
compatible with conventional NMEA0183, which operates
at the lower speed of4800baud)
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Installation 19
2.7 SimNet cable
The AI50 is connected to the SimNet databus using the
cable supplied. Ensure that the connector on the end of
the cable is in the correct orientation and press firmly
into either of the two sockets on the rear of the unit.
Figure.2.2.
The spare socket can be used to daisy chain SimNet to
another item of equipment. If the spare socket is not
used insert the supplied blanking plug.
2.8 SD card (not supplied)
The SD card slot is situated on the reverse of the unit
under a water resistant cover.
Figure. 2.5 - SD Card Access Cover
DO NOT insert or remove the SD card while the AI50 is
turned on.
Locate and undo the two retaining screws, and carefully
remove the cover to reveal the SD card slot.
With the SD card, contact side down, place under the
shroud and slide firmly into place, making sure the card is
sitting squarely and not at an angle.
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20 Installation
Replace the cover and screw back into place, making sure
not to over tighten the screws.
The use of high speed SD cards is not recommended. Use
only Class 1 SD cards.
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