Installation Manual

AIS Installation Manual Issue 1 3
Radio Frequency Exposure Warning
To meet the current requirements for Radio Frequency Exposure it is necessary to install the
antenna mast correctly and operate the equipment according to the instructions.
The assumptions used in this assessment are: full transmit power is used, a good antenna is
used (assumed to be a unity gain (0 dB) wideband omni-directional type).
Where no suitable structure exists to achieve a 3 metre vertical separation then the antenna
base must be mounted at least 1 metre above the head of any person within range and all
persons must stay outside the 3-metre safety radius.
Failure to adhere to these limits could expose persons within the 3 metre radius to RF radiation
in excess of the MPE / SAR limits.
WARNING: The antenna mast must be mounted at a minimum distance (vertical separation)
of 3 metres from the head of any person standing on deck to meet international safety directives
on Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) / Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
WARNING: Do not transmit when persons are closer than 3 metres to the antenna. If any
person (e.g. the operator) must be closer, then a grounded RF shield should be interposed
between that person and the antenna.
Rules of Operation
Licensing
IMPORTANT: In most countries the operation of the AIS Transponder is a part of the radio
regulations and therefore the ship must possess a current VHF radio telephone licence which
lists the AIS system, and the equipment must be registered (Call Sign and MMSI number).
Please contact the relevant authority in your country for more information.
Refer to the AIS Transponder Operation Manual for the full operating procedure.
Good Practice
The installer is expected to be familiar with IMO SN/Circ.227 Guidelines for the Installation of a
Shipborne Automatic Identification System, and to comply with these recommendations. The
document contains detailed information which supplements the instructions in this manual.
Compass Safe Distances
Display 0.7 m for 1° deviation; 1.2 m for 0.3° deviation
Transponder: 1.3 m for 1° deviation; 2.1 m for 0.3° deviation