Vesper Cortex HV1 User manual

HUB INSTALLATION GUIDE
Cortex Hub-USA - USA & CANADA
Cortex Hub-ROW - REST OF WORLD

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Contents2
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................... 3
Questions and FAQs............................................................. 3
Register Your Cortex............................................................ 3
Required components ......................................................... 4
Required components ......................................................... 4
Optional accessories ........................................................... 4
Onboard App Introduction .................................................. 5
The Cortex network.............................................................. 6
LED indicator panel .............................................................. 7
Cortex Hub port locations................................................... 7
Cortex Hub positioning........................................................ 8
Cortex Hub mounting .......................................................... 8
To connect power................................................................. 9
Wiring color codes ............................................................ 9
AIS / VHF Antenna .............................................................. 10
What does VSWR mean? ................................................... 10
Internal AIS / VHF splitter .................................................. 11
AIS / VHF Antenna connection......................................... 11
External GPS Antenna......................................................... 11
External GPS Antenna mounting...................................... 12
External WiFi Antenna ........................................................ 12
External WiFi Antenna installation ................................... 13
NMEA 2000 Gateway.......................................................... 13
To connect to NMEA 2000................................................. 14
To connect to NMEA 0183................................................. 15
External Cellular Antenna................................................... 16
External Speaker.................................................................. 17
Vesper Marine External Speaker ...................................... 17
External Loudspeaker......................................................... 18
Connecting devices to an Cortex Hub............................. 19
To connect a mobile device............................................... 19
To connect a handset ......................................................... 20
Device connection FAQs .................................................... 20
MMSI programming Introduction..................................... 21
MMSI Programming Warning ........................................... 21
To program an MMSI with the Onboard App ................. 21
To program an MMSI with a handset.............................. 22
To conrm AIS operation ................................................... 22
Monitoring and control....................................................... 23
Cortex Monitor App Introduction...................................... 23
To program GPIO sensors with the Cortex Onboard App
24
To program GPIO sensors with a Cortex Handset........ 24
Heading Sensor ................................................................... 25
To update Cortex Hub rmware....................................... 25
Cortex Hub Wiring color codes......................................... 26
GPIO sensor wiring - Alarm silence switch..................... 27
GPIO sensor wiring - Lighting remote control................ 28
GPIO sensor wiring - Motion sensor................................ 29
GPIO sensor wiring - High water sensor......................... 30
GPIO sensor wiring - Bilge pump activation sensor ..... 31
GPIO sensor wiring - Hatch / door open sensor............ 32
GPIO sensor wiring - Smoke / Heat sensor.................... 33
Dimensions........................................................................... 34
Specications....................................................................... 35
Dimensions LED icon troubleshooting.......................... 37
Warnings ............................................................................... 39
Warranty................................................................................ 41

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3Introduction
Introduction
THE VESPER MARINE CORTEX HUB IS AN AIS CLASS-B SO-TDMA
TRANSPONDER WITH INTEGRATED ON BOARD AND REMOTE VESSEL
MONITORING AND CONTROL.
When paired with a Vesper Marine Cortex H1 Tethered or Cortex H1P Portable
handset, the Cortex Hub becomes a fully-featured 25W VHF radio with complete
Class D DSC functionality.
The Cortex Hub features integrated WiFi providing conguration and control via a
Cortex Onboard App or Cortex Handset.
Cortex Hub uses two dedicated AIS channels to transmit and receive vessel
position and other data to and from all other AIS equipped vessels within range.
Cortex Hub uses received AIS data by sharing it with other devices on board your
vessel (e.g. chart plotters, laptops, phones) over NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183 and WiFi.
With an integrated AIS/VHF splitter, the Cortex Hub allows an existing or secondary
VHF radio to share a single VHF Antenna.
The Cortex Hub also features an integrated GNSS receiver (supporting GPS,
GLONASS, BeiDou, Galilleo), fully isolated NMEA ports and a high-power external
speaker driver. Internal antennas for cellular and WiFi are included with the option
to attach external antennas as required.
Off-boat vessel monitoring and control is supported via a built-in cellular modem
and the Cortex Monitor App on your phone.
Integrated sensors provide vessel position, battery voltage, heading and barometric
pressure, while NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 provides information from sensors
connected to the NMEA network.
Optional external sensors can be installed and connected to the Cortex Hub to
monitor information such as bilge level, shore power and vessel security. Optional
output relays can be installed to remotely control lighting, air conditioning,
refrigeration, bilge pump, battery charging and more.
Questions & Support
Visit support.vespermarine.com for a range of guide topics about how to get the
most out of you Cortex.
Register Your Cortex
Vesper Marine releases product updates from time to time. These updates feature
changes to Cortex including the release of new features. Register your Cortex at
www.vespermarine.com/register
Append your Cortex Wi Label here
We suggest placing one of your Cortex Wi Labels here in the manual. It is also
helpful to have one stuck descretely near the Cortex Hub. Having the QR Code and
Wi details easily accessible makes pairing additional devices quick and simple.
The Wi SSID and Password cannot be changed.

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Required components4
Required components
Included
• Cortex Hub (Cortex Hub)
• GPS Antenna, Includes 10M (33ft) cable.
• Power cable
• WiFi antenna
• Audio cable
• Input / Output cable
• VHF Patch Cable
Required components
Not included
• AIS/VHF antenna
• Fuse or circuit breaker
• Fastenings of your choice
• Mobile device running the Cortex Onboard App or a Cortex Handset for
conguring.
Optional accessories
• Cortex H1 or H1P handset(s)
• External audio and loudspeaker
• External cellular antenna
• NMEA 2000 cable
• NMEA 2000 Tee connector
• NMEA 2000 network extension cable
• External sensors for Monitoring and Control

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5Onboard App Introduction
Onboard App Introduction
Cortex Onboard is a free Android and Apple iOS app that connects your phone or
tablet to the WiFi of the Cortex Hub.
Use the Cortex Onboard App to congure, manage and display data from Cortex.
The Conguration Menu is used for initial conguration, AIS programming, network
settings, rmware updates and input / output sensor setup.
Once the Cortex is congured, the Cortex Onboard App acts like a Cortex Handset
offering access to most functions directly from your smart device.
Cortex Onboard App Main Menu options
Select the Main Menu icon ( )
Plotter
Plotter view of AIS targets
Directory
AIS targets and manual DSC contacts
Instruments
GPS, integrated sensors and NMEA data
Anchor watch
Monitor the vessel at anchor
Collision avoidance
Manage a potential collision scenario
MOB
Man Overboard monitoring
Settings
Congure and manage the Cortex Hub
Collision avoidanceAnchor watch
Instruments
MOB
DirectoryPlotter

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The Cortex network6
The Cortex network
WIFIWIFI
CELL
Secondary VHF
GPS (10 Hz)
Antenna
(included)
WiFi data
AIS / VHF
Antenna
WiFi Antenna
(included)
WiFi Antenna
(included)
Cellular
Antenna
Cortex Monitor
App
Cortex
Handsets
Cortex
Onboard App
External
Speaker
NMEA 0183
Devices
NMEA 2000
Devices

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7LED indicator panel
LED indicator panel
The Cortex Hub features an indicator panel located on the top of the case. The LED
indicator panel provides system status using changes in color or solid and ashing
states to indicate how a subsystem if functioning.
GPS, VHF, WiFi, NMEA 2000, Cellular (Cloud) and Power are all indicated. Green will
indicate a functioning subsystem, with Orange and Red indicating a connection,
conguration or other issue that may need to be resolved.
Power ON is indicated with white light.
See LED indicator panel on page 22 for a full troubleshooting list.
PowerCloud
NMEA
2000
WiFiVHF
GPS
Cortex Hub port locations
1. WiFi Antenna port
2. GPS Antenna port
3. Cellularv Antenna port
4. DC Power Supply (12V or 24V DC)
5. Auxiliary VHF port
6. VHF Antenna
7. NMEA 2000 port
8. Input / Output port (NMEA 0183 and GPIO sensors)
9. Audio Port (External Speaker, Loudspeaker)
1 3
2 4 5 6
7 8 9

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Cortex Hub positioning8
Cortex Hub positioning
Allow at least 2”/ 50mm from each set of connectors give
sufcient room for cable clearance and connection.
Allow at least 8” / 200mm for the external WiFi antenna
to be positioned in a vertical position to increase WiFi range.
For optimal Heading Sensor performance, do not mount on
or near ferrous materials. For conguration, see Heading
Sensor on page 25
Ensure that the minimum safe compass distance is
maintained. Standard: 0.8 m, Steering: 0.4 m.
Cables Allow
2"/50mm
Cables Allow
2"/50mm
WiFi Antenna
Allow
8"/200mm
Cortex Hub mounting
1. Use the Cortex Hub as a template for mounting holes
2. Mark the holes on the mounting surface and drill them
3. Align the Cortex Hub to the mounting holes and secure with fastenings of
your choice (not included).
Recommended screws: 316 Stainless Self Tapping 8G/1” (4.2/25.4mm) or 10G/1”
(4.8/25.4mm) Pan/Round Head.
The Cortex Hub features metal anti-compression rings in each mounting hole to
prevent damage and ensure the Cortex Hub can be mounted securely.

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9To connect power
To connect power
Cortex DC power requirements:
Hub Nominal Draw 0.5A @ 12V
Hub VHF High Power Transmit (Max) 6.0A @ 12V
Handset Nominal 1.0A @ 12V
To provide sufcient power, consider the total system requirements in terms of
adequate cable gauge and fuse rating with capacity for future expansion.
1. Check that the VHF antenna is connected before connecting to live DC power.
2. Connect the positive (+ve red) and negative (-ve black) leads of the power
cable to the vessel. The 2M (6.5ft) power cable (supplied) is terminated with a
2 pin socket. This cable may be extended or shortened as needed.
3. Connect a fuse or circuit breaker to the positive cable of the appropriate rating
for the system. (ie 10A for the Cortex Hub, 2A for each handset)
4. Connect the power cable to the Cortex Hub. Tighten the power cable lock ring
clockwise to ensure a secure connection and watertight seal.
5. Turn the vessel’s batteries (and/or switch or circuit breaker) on to apply power
to the Cortex Hub.
6. Conrm the Cortex Hub is powered on with a visual check on the Cortex Hub
indicator lights.
24 Hour Circuit
Leaving Cortex powered on a 24 hour circuit will ensure Cortex can continue to
monitor and alert you. A 24 hour circuit remains powered even when the normal DC
house system is powered off. Cortex Hub has a low Nominal draw of 0.5A @ 12V
which most vessel house systems can sustain for an extended period of time.
Wiring color codes
RED DC positive (+ve) (12/24 volts).
BLACK DC negative (-ve)
Always use a fuse or circuit breaker installed near the battery end or bus bar end.
Do not connect directly to a battery.
If you must extend the power connections use quality tinned marine grade wire at
least 16 AWG (1.5mm²).
Power +ve
FUSE
Negative -ve
Red
Black

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AIS / VHF Antenna10
AIS / VHF Antenna
Required
The Cortex Hub shares one antenna for both AIS and VHF functions.
A dedicated VHF antenna is required.
Choose a high quality omni-directional 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).
See Part Number VA159 (AIS/VHF Antenna).
Mount the antenna vertically, as high as possible (at least 2-3 meters (6-10 ft)
above the waterline). It is not recommended to place the VHF antenna near a mast
or other metal structures
Install the antenna a minimum of 3m (10ft) from any other VHF or HF antennas and
not within the beam path of a radar. Inadequate separation may damage the Cortex
transponder and void your warranty.
Never operate the Cortex Hub unless it is connected directly to a suitable VHF
antenna.
The VHF indicator light will display red when a problem is detected with the antenna
system (ie, the VSWR is above the acceptable level).
What does VSWR mean?
VSWR stands for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio and is a measure of the how well
matched a transmission line (e.g. the antenna cable connected to the VHF output of
your the Cortex Hub) is to its termination impedance (e.g. your antenna).
VSWR can be thought of as a comparative measure of how much power, generated
from your Cortex Hub AIS transponder, is delivered to the antenna and how much of
it is reected back and lost in the poorly matched transmission line.
A high VSWR will reduce your effective transmission range and may also lead to
other problems.