Geoff Schultz wrote:
377 wrote in news:e862609d-7bee-4afa-be3c-
:

On Jun 11, 3:34 am, Geoff Schultz wrote:
Has anyone seen any used AIS class A transponders for sale? I do
enoug
h
off-shore sailing to want a class A instead of a class B.

-- Geoffwww.GeoffSchultz.org
I bought a brand new ACR/Nauticast class A AIS transponder on ebay
for $1100. It was sold by a seller in Singapore who lists high end
commercial marine gear from time to time. He had a high reserve
($1800?) in the first auction and nobody bid high enough. I made him
the $1100 offer and he eventually took it. Shipping was expensive,
about $75.

http://www.acrelectronics.com/global...balwatch2.html

At $1100 it was not cheap but still way lower than list price. It
lacked cables and GPS antenna, but I found a 5 VDC amplified GPS
antenna on eBay for $10 that was plug and play (SMA connector). I saw
a nearly new Furuno class A AIS go for about $900 on ebay a while
back.

My ACR AIS Xponder runs on 24 VDC and my boat is 12 VDC, but I can
find a bunch of easy ways to convert 12 to 24, including a cheap
inverter and AC supply. I am sure there is a linear regulator insdie
that probably knocks down 24 to 12 VDC, but I dont want to modify
anything in case I need factory service.

My boat is a commercial fishing boat but small enough that AIS is not
mandatory. I sometimes fish in foggy crowded waters off San Francisco
and wanted the best AIS I could afford. The more frequent
transmissions of class A and the large number of message options
appealed to me. I also wanted a self contained unit that didnt need a
laptop or anything else.

Mark

I've been watching for used AIS transponders on Ebay for a while and
haven't seen any. That's why I asked here. I agree with your reasoning
for wanting one. I just ordered a Comar CSB-200 class B transponder
based upon my research. I'm also considering an active radar reflector.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org

Seeing as how the ais xponder has to be programmed with your ships
info when you buy it, it wouldn't seem you will find any used ones about
or if you did, how would you get it reprogrammed?.
G