User's Manual

30
6 TROUBLESHOOTING
The transmitting LED (Green color) is not illuminated, why?
 The transmitting interval of a Class B transponder is 3 minutes if the speed of
the vessel is less than 2 knots. If the speed exceeds 2 knots, the transmitting
interval will be 30 seconds. For each transmission, the channel indicator will flash
once quickly. The green light from the Tx indicator could be missed if not observed
carefully.
 For AIS transmitting, GPS information from GPS antenna is required. Without GPS
information, AIS will not transmit AIS signal. Please check if your GPS antenna is
connected and setup correctly.
CAMINO-108S receives AIS signals normally, but no one in the surrounding can see
me, why?
 AIS Class B transmission range limitation: an AIS Class B transponder transmitting
range of 5-7 miles in perfect conditions. The AIS receiver in the transponder will
typically see Class A vessels that are 20-30 miles away or even more in excellent
conditions. The major reason is that all AIS Class B transponders transmit at 2
watts vs. the 12.5 watts that Class A transponders typically use. This difference in
power impacts on the transmission range of each transponder type. For this
reason, it is quite possible that Class A vessel can be seen, but Class B vessel might
not be seen.
 VHF antennas interference: if you are using a dedicated AIS/VHF antenna for your
transponder, be sure that it is placed at least 6 ft (1.83 m) away from other VHF
antennas or vertical metal objects and ideally install the antenna on a different
vertical plane from other VHF antennas. In several tests, mounting two VHF
antennas next to another typically reduces the transmitting range to both
antennas by 50-70%.
 GPS is not fixed: If your GPS antenna is not connected or setup correctly, your
transponder will see other vessels fine, but you will not be sending out your vessel
position. All AIS transponders need a good GPS fix before it can send out any type
of transmission. The color and state of the LEDs on the transponder indicate if the
unit is in transmission mode or not.
 The location of VHF antenna is directly related to AIS transmitting range. The VHF
antenna should be installed at mast as high as possible.
Even though my CAMINO-108S is transmitting, why do some vessels with AIS take a
long time to see my vessel name or not see it at all?
 AIS Class B users should keep in mind that Class B transponders do not broadcast
position updates as often as Class A commercial transponders. As with Class B
transponders, the full static information, such as vessel’s names, the transmission
is broadcasted every 6 minutes; however, MMSI and dynamic information, such as
position, update will only be sent out every 3 minutes if the vessel is moving