Collection: VHF/AIS unit

Combined: VHF, AIS and GPS, safety at your fingertips

Safety is paramount when sailing. A VHF/AIS/GPS unit is an essential tool for communication, identifying surrounding vessels, and determining your position. Skysat, drawing on its extensive experience in offshore racing, guides you in choosing the unit best suited to your needs, guaranteeing seamless integration with your existing electronic system.

the essential functions of a handset

A handset combines key communication, identification, and positioning functions. It allows you to stay in contact with other vessels and coastal stations, display AIS information from nearby boats, and know your precise GPS position. Choosing a handset suited to your navigation program is therefore crucial.

• VHF: Essential voice communication for safety, distress calls and information exchange with other ships.
• AIS (Automatic Identification System): Display of identification information (name, position, heading, speed) of equipped vessels, thereby improving situational awareness and collision prevention.
• GPS: Precise positioning for navigation, route tracking and use of mapping applications.

choose the right combination for your boat

Choosing a handset depends on several factors, including the size of your boat, your sailing plans, and your specific needs. It's important to consider transmission power, range, screen quality, compatibility with other electronic devices, and additional features such as DSC (Digital Selective Calling) or a weather receiver.

• Transmit power: Transmit power influences the range of the VHF radio. A power of 25W is generally sufficient for coastal navigation, while higher power may be necessary for offshore navigation.
• NMEA 2000 / NMEA 0183 Compatibility: Ensure the handset is compatible with your NMEA 2000 or NMEA 0183 network for seamless integration with other navigation instruments.
• Digital Selective Calling (DSC) features: DSC allows you to send digital distress calls with your GPS location, increasing the chances of a quick rescue. It requires MMSI programming.

the integration and configuration of the handset

Once you have chosen your handset, it is important to integrate it correctly into your electronic system and configure it according to your needs. This may include connecting it to the GPS antenna, programming the MMSI (Mobile Maritime Service Identity) number for the DSC, and configuring alarms and display settings. Incorrect configuration can compromise safety.

• GPS antenna: An external GPS antenna is recommended for optimal reception, especially if the unit is installed inside the boat.
• MMSI Programming: Programming your MMSI number is mandatory to use DSC functions. Contact an authorized organization to obtain your MMSI number.
• AIS alarm configuration: Configure AIS alarms to be alerted to the presence of potentially dangerous vessels, based on their distance and heading.

💡 Skysat's advice

Before installation, check your boat's power supply voltage and the amperage required by the unit. Incorrect voltage or insufficient power can damage the device. Remember to use a suitable fuse to protect the electrical circuit.