The cheapest way to get AIS
on your yacht

AIS stands for Automatic Identification system and was originally designed as an anti collision system for commercial shipping.
It detects any commercial ships within a 400+ square Mile area surrounding your position and warns you of their presence.
It tells you their current GPS position, speed and course, so you can take action to avoid a possible collision. The data are updated Automatically every few seconds.


Every yacht can have access to this information....

Q. Can I still use my radio as before, after the installation of the filter?

Yes, there will be no difference in comms or scanning channels.

Q. Can I transmit or scan while using the radio for AIS?

No, you can only do one thing at the time, just like before, you can not transmit while scanning or v.v.

Q. Can AIS data used as overlay in my navigation program?

Yes, If your nav program supports layers. For example: "MaxSea v12" "OpenCPN".

Q. Does AisOnVhf supply electronic charts also?

Yes, we can supply recent worldwide vector charts on DVD. They range from detailed harbor to Ocean charts. And are compatible with most navigation software, including the free version of OpenCPN.

Q. What are Vector charts?

In short, the further you zoom in, the more detail appears on screen.

Q. Is my laptop suitable?

99.9% of modern laptops are quite suitable for receiving AIS data, however some soundcards can not handle the flow of incoming information or have internal blocks set in the registry to prevent pirating.

Q. Do I have a guarantee that AIS will display on my laptop?

See previous question.:NOT 100%". It is up to the 'DIY' client to follow the comprehensive instructions provided and have sufficient knowledge for the installation. As this is out of our hands, no refunds are given. All the hardware is checked before dispatch and the software provided is suitable for the purpose.

Q. Why is AIS data only transmitted on Ch 87B and 88B?

Because these channels prior to 2003 were not designated for any specific purpose apart from public access.

Q. Can I receive AIS data even though I don't have a boat?

Yes, everybody can receive AIS data, as long as your VHF antenna is located near the coast or harbour. The higher you are above sea level, the bigger your reception range is.

Q. What is AIS, Automatic Identification System?

AIS is the digital transmission of data derived from GPS and shipboard sensors, via VHF radio operating according to digital communication protocols that give a voiceless exchange of navigation information between vessels and shore-side receivers. This information is continually transmitted in real-time and received by all AIS-equipped ships and shore stations in VHF range.

Q. Do all ships transmit AIS data?

For vessels on international voyages AIS is mandatory from vessels over 300GT . For vessels on national voyages it is mandatory from 500GT. and mandatory for all passenger ships.

Q. What kind of information is transmitted over AIS?

Vessels name, call sign, MMSI number, IMO number, GPS-position, course over ground, speed over ground, true heading, rate of turn, length, beam, draught, type of vessel, navigational status, destination and estimated time of arrival.

Q. How will the Automatic Identification System help to increase safety?

The AIS corroborates and provides identification and position of vessels not always possible through voice radio communication or radar alone and creates an awareness of vessels in the maritime domain. The full benefits of AIS are only achieved when it is fully integrated and displayed on other shipboard navigation systems (e.g. Electronic charts Data and Information System (ECDIS), ECS, Radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aide (ARPA), Tracking Devices etc. Most commercial vessels comply with this.

Q. How much do Automatic Identification System transponders cost?

An approved AIS transponder can range in price between $2500 and $5000, not including installation cost which will vary considerably depending on the level of integration of the AIS with other shipboard systems; e.g. radar, speed log, rate of turn indicator, navigation positioning system, ECDIS, etc.

Q. When did AIS regulations become effective?

AIS Regulations became effective November 21, 2003. All vessels required to have an AIS as denoted in 33 CFR § 164.46(a), must have a USCG 'type-approved' and 'properly installed' AIS on the vessel no later than December 31, 2004.

Q. Can the system receive the AIS information further than 10 nautical miles?

When the VHF antenna is set at the height of 15 meters above the sea level, the farthest receivable distance is around 20 nautical miles.

Q. How can I find a ship on Google Earth ?

For AIS Tracking you need Google Earth version 4 or higher.

Q. Can I use my old GPS?

The GPS connected to the AIS or laptop must fulfill the IMO performance standard. It means that the output from the GPS must be in WGS 84 and that there is no dead reckoning of the position.

Q. Under what circumstances are commercial vessels allowed to switch off their AIS?

Where the master believes it is necessary for the safety of the crew and/or the vessel and/or the cargo. Eg Repairs, suspected pirate areas etc

Q. What are the differences between AIS Class A transponders and AIS Class B transponders?

Class B is intended to be a simpler, less expensive version for the use on non-SOLAS vessels. Class B is intended primarily for recreational crafts.

Q. How is GPS and chart datum collected?

AIS co-ordinates are in WGS-84, the co-ordinate system used by GPS.

Q. How is the AIS data limited to safety information?

ITU-R recommendation M.1371-1 limits AIS transmission on AIS designated channels (87B and 88B) to maritime safety related messages.

Q. Can my radio receive AIS data?

The majority of radios can, but to be sure, have a look in your radio manual, on the frequency pages you'll find behind Channels 87 and 88 the following Transmit and Receive frequencies:
87 --157.375 MHz and 161.975 MHz duplex (send and receive on different frequencies)
88 --157.425 MHz and 162.025 MHz duplex (send and receive on different frequencies)
If you have these frequencies, you can receive AIS data.
Most radios with USA/Canada channel allocation can receive AIS data also.

A VHF with the following channel 87 and 88 allocation can not receive AIS data.
87 -- 157.375 MHz and 157.375 MHz Simplex (send and receive on the same frequency)
88 -- 157.425 MHz and 157.425 MHz Simplex (send and receive on the same frequency)

If your radio only has these 2 frequencies, all is not lost.
Most likely your radio has programmable channels, where you can set the AIS receive frequencies i.e 161.975 for AIS 1 and 162.025 for AIS 2.

Q. No output sound to the speakers from the microphone-in or line-in socket?

After you tried the normal settings in "Master volume", as a last resort, install
"VLC media player" from the DVD or download the latest free version.
To run the player: Click Media, choose your audio device or CTRL+C and hit "play".

Q. What does an IC look like?

A typical 16 pin IC or Integrated Circuit looks like this:

Their size in older radios is approx. 18x7x4mm thick and in newer ones approx. 8x5x1.5mm thick

For DIY, You will get detailed, step by step, installation instructions.