Quark-Elec QK-A026 Technical manual

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QUICK START SET-UP GUIDE
QK-A026 Wireless AIS Receiver
SET UP
In the box you should have:
1 x QK-A026
1 x USB cable
1 x CD with manuals and drivers
Location: Select where your QK-A026 is to be sited. Ideally, although QK-A026 comes with an extruded
aluminum enclosure to shield it from external RF interference, it should not be fitted close to generators or
compressors (e.g. refrigerators) as they can generate substantial RF noise. It is designed to be installed in a
protected indoor environment. Generally, a suitable placement of QK-A026 is together with other types of
navigation equipment and the PC or chart plotter that will be used to display the output data. QK-A026 is
designed to be securely mounted to a suitable bulkhead or shelf in an indoor environment and needs to be
placed where it is well protected from humidity and water.
Antenna: QK-A026 is not supplied with a VHF antenna as the type of antenna and cable requirements
differ from vessel to vessel. A suitable VHF antenna will need to be connected before the receiver will
operate fully. AIS communication system frequencies are close to the duplex VHF channels used for marine
communication, so the antenna should be separated as much as possible (ideally at least 3.0 meters) from
the voice communication VHF antenna to avoid unnecessary adjacent channel interference. Best
separation is achieved by installing the antennas over each other or on separate sides of the mast. If an

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existing VHF transmitting antenna is used to receive AIS signals, proper separation equipment (e.g., an
active VHF antenna splitter) should be applied.
CONNECTIONS
QK-A026 Connections Diagram
QK-A026 has the following connections/indicators:
AIS antenna connector. Standard BNC female 50 Ohm connector. An active VHF antenna splitter is
required if one VHF antenna is shared by QK-A026 and VHF voice radio. (We recommend separate
antennas ideally.)
USB connector. A micro USB connector supplies power to the unit and also outputs the NMEA
messages. It can also be used for adjusting parameters using the GUI Configuration software.
NMEA 0183 output connectors. QK-A026 can be connected to other AIS and SeaTalk compatible
equipment (eg. wind/ depth or heading sensors) QK-A026 sends out NMEA 0183 messages via WiFi, USB
and NMEA outputs simultaneously for chart plotter.
Built-in GPS. An integrated GPS unit supplies positional data in addition to the AIS data. It should
not need setting up. GPS information can be output via WiFi, USB or NMEA.
WiFi. Connectivity in both Ad Hoc and Station Modes on 802.11 b/g/n.
Check the LED lights. QA026/024 features three LEDs which indicate power, AIS and GPS status
respectively. Three LEDs turn on and then off after initialization. When operating, these LEDs flash as
below:
Power: Top LED flashes at 3 second intervals.
AIS : Middle LED Flashes for each valid AIS message received.

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GPS: Bottom LED Flashes every second while receiving a valid message (not applicable on the A024
model)
NMEA output connector (left), SMA and BNC connectors (right)
QK-A026 Functions Diagram
POWER UP
QK-A026 is powered by the USB connection.
CONFIGURATION
QK-A026 is supplied with a micro USB connector. The NMEA 0183 data can also output through it and it
can be linked directly to a USB port on a PC or other mobile devices via the supplied cable.
The Configuration Software (GUI) can be used to adjust these settings, including baud rates and WiFi
settings. You can download the software here:
https://quark-elec.com/doc/QE_MUX_configTool.zip
Detailed instructions on how to use the Configuration software are available here:

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https://www.quark-elec.com/doc/QK-A0xx_GUI_application_note.pdf
This enables the user to specify baud rates for the NMEA interface. The most common settings are 4800
input and 38400 output. It also enables WiFi set-up in both Ad Hoc and Station Mode (p2p or router).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
Full QK-A026 instructions and troubleshooting details can be found in the full QK-A026/26 Manual here:
https://www.quark-elec.com/product/qk-a026-wireless-ais-gps-receiver/
For additional technical information and other enquiries, please go to the Quark-elec forum at:
https://quark-elec.com/forum/
For sales and purchasing information, please email us: inf[email protected]
SPECIFICATION
Item
Specification
Frequency bands
161.975MHz &162.025MHz
Operating temperature
-25°C to +80°C
Storage temperature
-25°C to +85°C
DC supply
5.0.0V(+/-0..2V)
Average supply current (typical
quiescent)
180mA
Maximum supply current(during SMS
transceiver activity)
270mA
AIS receive sensitivity
-105dBm@30%PER
NMEA data format
ITU/ NMEA 0183 format
NMEA output data rate
38.4kbps
WiFi mode
Ad Hoc and Station modes on 802.11 b/g/n
Security
WPA/WPA2
Network Protocols
TCP

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Limited warranty
Quark-elec warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and manufacture for one year from the date of
purchase. Quark-elec will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or
replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts and labour. The customer is, however, responsible
for any transportation costs incurred in returning the unit to Quark-elec. This warranty does not cover failures due to
abuse, misuse, accident or unauthorized alteration or repairs. A returns number must be given before any unit is
sent back for repair. This does not affect the statutory rights of the consumer.
Disclaimer
This product is designed to aid navigation and should be used to augment normal navigational procedures and
practices. It is the user’s responsibility to use this product prudently. Neither Quark-elec, nor their distributors or
dealers accept responsibility or liability either to the product user or their estate for any accident, loss, injury or
damage whatsoever arising out of the use or of liability to use this product.
Quark-elec AIS receivers may be upgraded from time to time and future versions may therefore not correspond
exactly with this manual. 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.
Quark-elec (UK)
www.quark-elec.com