Connecting AIS on 1834C

[Anonymous]

When I purchased my 1834C it was apparently just as Furuno was phasing out the need for a separate AIS box to get AIS on that unit. In the Errata sheet it states that "The AIS function is now available without an AIS interface. You may delete the part of the 1st paragraph on page 5-1 which mentions the necessity of an AIS interface."

I take that to mean that I should be able to connect a VHF antenna to the 1834C and get the AIS function. I'm confused as to where that connection takes place and how it takes place. Can you give me some direction on this?

Thanks, Ken

 

[Johnny Electron]

The 1834C radar itself is NOT an AIS receiver. In the past, if you wanted to connect an AIS receiver to the unit; you would require a special interface. That still applies if you are running the older software. Around 2007, the software changed to allow RS422 38,400 baud rate NMEA AIS data to be directly connected to the unit without an interface. This would connect to data 2 on the 1834C, unless you select one of the Furuno Network AIS receivers. The FA30 and FA50 AIS receiver unit can connect up via network saving the NMEA port for other items.

 

[Anonymous]

That's what I needed to know.

Thanks