vesper marine XB-6000 User manual

XB-6000 |XB-8000 Install Guide

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET GOING
= Item Included
Your XB-6000 / XB-8000 is a Class B AIS Transponder with
NMEA gateway and integrated NMEA 2000 and WiFi*.
The XB provides information to improve your situational awareness and assist in
avoiding collisions at sea. Because it consumes very low power it may be left
turned on whenever your vessel is underway. It works by interpreting Universal
Shipborne Automated Identification System (AIS) messages which are sent over
VHF by transponders installed on other vessels. The AIS system uses two dedicated
VHF channels designated for this purpose and with the installation of the XB to
receive these signals, you can distribute this information to other devices on board
your vessel (e.g. chart plotters, laptops, smart phones) using NMEA 2000, USB and
WiFi*. In addition, your vessel position and other data is transmitted to all other AIS-
equipped vessels within range.
For more information on go to www.vespermarine.com/xb.
XB-6000 or XB-8000
External GPS Antenna with 10m cable
10 pin power/data cable
AIS/VHF antenna
MMSI number
PC, Mac or Mobile Device (Apple or Android)* for configuring settings
2A fuse or circuit breaker
1m USB cable (for configuration)
Waterproof 5m USB cable with locking security ring
NMEA 2000 cable, T connector and network extension cable
SP160 Antenna Splitter
External alarm buzzer for MOB or anchor watch alarms*
Switch for silent mode or to silence MOB or anchor watch alarms*
Consider other equipment you may need to install this on your vessel e.g.
additional cable, cable ties, mounting screws, wire strippers, screw driver etc.
(*XB-8000 only)

CONNECTIONS
STATUS LED
COLOR STATE DESCRIPTION
Green (OK) Solid Normal Operation
Flashing Antenna VSWR is high
Background noise level on AIS receiver is high
Orange
(No Transmit)
Solid Device initializing, silent mode, waiting to transmit
Flashing Acquiring a GPS fix
Red (Error) Solid Built in integrity test error or firmware update in
progress
(See troubleshooting section for more info)
• AIS/VHF antenna
• NMEA 2000 • GPS antenna
• 10 pin power/data port
• LED Status
185mm (7 1/4”)
98mm (3 7/8”)
• USB
Mount your XB at least 0.6m (2 feet) from any compass. Test your compass
to verify that it operates properly when the XB is operating.

VHF ANTENNA
GPS ANTENNA
• A dedicated VHF antenna or Vesper Marine AIS/VHF Antenna Splitter
is required.
• Choose a high quality omnidirectional VHF antenna designed for the marine
band (156-162MHz) and ensure it is well tuned at the AIS end of the band
(VSWR 2:1 or less at 162MHz).
• Mount the antenna as high as possible (at least 2-3 metres (6-10 ft) above the
water surface). It is not recommended to place the VHF antenna near a mast
or other metal structures.
• For best performance avoid using small helical “rubber duck” style antennas.
CAUTION: Install the antenna a minimum of 1m (4 ft) from any other VHF or HF
antennas and not within the beam path of a radar. Inadequate separation
may damage the XB transponder and void your warranty.
CAUTION: Never operate this device unless it is connected directly to a
suitable VHF antenna or Vesper Marine AIS/VHF Antenna Splitter.
CAUTION: The Vesper Marine AIS/VHF Antenna Splitter is designed specifically
for use with Vesper Marine AIS transponders. Do not use any other VHF
antenna splitter. The use of any other splitter may damage the device and
void your warranty.
HINT: Use the VSWR meter in vmAIS or the WatchMate app (see configuration
section) to check your antenna system installation.
!
!
!
• The XB requires a GPS fix before it can transmit its position.
• You cannot share an external GPS antenna.
• You cannot use another GPS or any other NMEA device to provide a GPS
position to the XB. Class B AIS transponders are required by international
regulations to use their own GPS.
• However, you can use the XB to provide GPS position data to other devices
using NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, USB or WiFi (XB-8000)
!
CAUTION: The Vesper Marine GPS antenna is designed specifically for use
with Vesper Marine AIS transponders. Performance cannot be assured unless
you use a Vesper Marine GPS antenna. Use of a different GPS antenna may
damage the XB transponder and void your warranty.

GPS ANTENNA
Internal (XB-6000 only)
The XB-6000 has a built-in GPS antenna.
• This antenna requires an unobstructed
view of the sky.
• The antenna performance may be
significantly reduced if the XB-6000 is
installed on, under, or near large metal
structures.
• The antenna faces upwards and is
located as shown in the drawing.
• If you are mounting the XB-6000 in a
location which will not provide adequate
GPS signal coverage, then you must install
the dedicated GPS antenna provided.
External GPS Antenna
The XB-8000 requires installation of the dedicated GPS antenna
provided. This may also be required for the XB-6000 if the internal
antenna does not provide adequate GPS signal coverage.
• The GPS antenna should be situated so that it has an
unobstructed view of the sky above.
• Do not place the GPS antenna near or in the path of radar
or HF antennas.
• You cannot share the GPS antenna with any other device.
• The antenna cable is terminated with a small SMA connector
to facilitate easy routing through holes and openings. Do not
cut the cable unless you have the proper tools to crimp a new
connector. Make the connection to your AIS transponder last
after antenna installation is complete.
Internal GPS
antenna location
HINT: Use the GPS Status screen in the vmAIS PC/Mac Configuration and
Status software or the WatchMate Apple* or Android app* to view the
satellite signal strengths which will assist in determining the best location for
mounting the XB-6000 or the external GPS antenna for both the XB-6000 and
XB-8000 (see configuration section).
(*XB-8000 only)