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Milltech Marine News

May 2012
Check out our AISWatchMate specials!
From now until the end of June, we will have Vesper Marine's AISWatchMate and AISWatchMate RX on special. Now you can have a dedicated AIS display with sophisticated alarms and low power consumption at a super price
.

March 2012
Want AIS on your iPad?
Check out our
blog article on using AIS with an iPad and also see our new product from Comar - the NMEA-2-WIFI multiplexer. This allows you to send AIS and other NMEA data to an iPad or other computer wirelessly via WiFi.

February 2012
Did you miss our presentations at the Seattle Boat Show?
This year we did three presentations at the Seattle Boat Show - one on DSC (Jan 27 - 5pm) and two on AIS (Feb 1&3 - 5pm). If you'd like to see the slides from the presentations, click
here for the DSC slides and here for the AIS slides.

January 2011
Comar CSA-300 Class A AIS -- $2499!
Just approved by the USCG and FCC, the
Comar CSA-300 is now shipping. For vessels needing Class A AIS, this new product combines the latest features, small size and a great price.

August 2010
AMEC CAMINO-101 Class B AIS -- $495!
Just approved by the USCG and FCC, the
AMEC CAMINO-101 Class B AIS Transponder sets a new standard for quality, performance and price. (Includes GPS antenna!)

August 2010
Comar AIS-2-2000 NMEA 2000 AIS Receiver
The
Comar AIS-2-2000 is a high-value, high-performance, dual-channel AIS receiver that is stunningly quick and easy to install in NMEA 2000 networks.


Same-day Shipping
If placed by 11:00AM PST, Monday through Friday, most orders ship same-day (Excluding domestic Class B AIS which must be programmed before shipping).

We Ship Internationally.
Use the online Shopping Cart to make sure your location
is served and to check shipping costs. For more information, click here. Please call or email with any questions



Home > Antenna Splitters
Vesper Marine VHF/AIS/FM Antenna Splitter
Vesper Marine VHF/AIS/FM Antenna Splitter
Item Id: VM-SP160 review

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$249.00
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 Description

AIS VHF Antenna Splitter for AIS Transponders and Receivers

Designed to work with any AIS receiver or transponder with unique integration features for the AISWatchMate Transponder. To simplify installation you can share an existing VHF antenna by using this splitter. The unit removes the need for a separate VHF antenna for an AIS receiver or transponder and allows a single antenna to be shared with a VHF radio. This is an excellent solution when it is difficult to install an additional antenna or you wish to share an existing VHF antenna and maximize your AIS range. This Vesper Marine splitter is specifically designed for use with both AIS receivers and transponders. This unique Vesper Marine splitter provides signal gain - improving AIS reception and increasing range. This is because the Vesper Marine splitter has a built-in low noise amplifier. This is especially useful as more and more lower power Class B AIS transponders and SART's are installed. In addition to the amplification provided by this splitter, when used with your existing antenna you can optimize the range of your AIS transponder because the antenna is also mounted as high as possible.

Features

  • Simple connections: No adapters or special patch cords needed for VHF/AIS. Uses standard PL-259 patch cables (not included).
  • Easy installation: Very compact and easy to install with built-in mounting flanges.
  • LED status indicators: 4 status LED's (power, VHF transmit, AIS transmit, antenna quality).
  • AM/FM radio connection: Provides AM/FM radio connection. An optional cable with a standard "Motorola plug" is available to make installation easy. Plugs directly into almost all car or marine stereos.
  • VHF-in-use indicator: VHF-in-use indicator appears on the screen of the AISWatchMate Transponder (WMX850) whenever the VHF radio is being used. This unique feature indicates when AIS traffic is delayed due to the antenna being in-use by the VHF radio.
  • Fail-safe VHF priority: VHF radio always has priority and the VHF can always transmit even if the power to the splitter fails.
  • Antenna quality monitor indicates if there is a problem: The unique antenna quality LED will indicate a problem with the antenna, cable or installation.
  • Low power consumption: Very low power consumption designed to save your battery power.
  • 12 or 24 Volt supply: Designed to work with either 12 or 24 volt supply.
  • Waterproof: IPx7 rated. High quality rugged construction made specifically for marine use.

Benefits

  • High performance: The Vesper Marine SP160 Splitter has higher performance than any other AIS splitter, whether it's used with an AIS receiver or transponder. Its also been designed to be used with other manufacturers AIS receivers and transponders making it very versatile.
  • One easy to install junction box: This new splitter provides a convenient and intelligent junction box for VHF, AIS and AM/FM break out points. Using the SP160 allows instruments like AISWatchMate to be easily installed with a single tidy coaxial cable run to each device with only one cable to your shared VHF antenna.
  • Outstanding receive performance: The unique design of the SP160 means it doesn't have the signal loss associated with other AIS splitters ensuring you can achieve full performance from your VHF radio and AIS WatchMate (or other AIS receiver or transponder).
  • Improves AIS receive range: The SP160 improves AIS receive range by providing amplification to the AIS signal resulting in much higher AIS sensitivity - especially useful for receiving the growing number of 2W Class B AIS transceivers.

Specifications

Frequency Range

156MHz to 163MHz

Operating temperature

-25C to +55C (-13F to 131F)

Environmental

Watertight (USCG CFR-46, IPx7)

Power Supply

12 - 24 VDC, <0.8W nominal

Overall Size (incl connectors)

135mm Long x 107 Wide x 56 Deep (5 5/16 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/4)

Maximum VHF power

25W

Maximum AIS power

12.5W

VHF & AIS Connectors

SO-239 (UHF). Requires two appropriate length standard patch cables with PL-259 plugs (not included).

AM / FM Connector

BNC, optional 2m (6') cable available BNC to Motorola plug

Insertion Loss

VHF RX 1.5dB / VHF TX 1dB / AIS TX 1dB

AIS Receive Gain

12dB

AIS Sensitivity, with AISWatchMate Transponder (WMX850)

-119 dBm, 6dB improvement

NOTE: This product does not include cables. You will need to source your own VHF cables for connecting from the splitter to your radios and transponder.
 Customer Reviews Average Rating review  
Capatin/USN retired
  Vesper VHF/AIS splitter works great. Using it with Vesper Watchmate 850, what a great addition. Using masthead (65') antenna, have received AIS information from ships 90 miles away! This is thew first trip with AIS and makes watches so less stressful, highly recommended!!
  Reviewed by:  George Marvin from Hobe Sound, FL. on 6/27/2011
great product!
  I found this product easy to install, with very low power consumption. Works as advertised, provides 15+ mile range for my AMEC-101 AIS via 3' whip at masthead. Bonus FM antenna works amazingly well. I used inexpensive Seadog PL259 cables between the AIS, VHF, and the splitter.
  Reviewed by:  Ben Hempstead from Seattle, WA. on 4/26/2011
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