Taiwanese society Alltek Marine Electronics, also known by the acronym AMEC, was specialized since 2006 in the design and device manufacturing AIS. In his presentation, AMEC Announcement to have was founded with the aim to provide the best Marine electronics for navigation, communication and Safety. In the pursuit of this goal, AMEC committed to provide AIS solutions to meet customer expectations for the quality, the Performance, values and Services. His solutions are aimed at to commercial vessels, fishing vessels and Pleasure boats.
The Camino-108W WiFi
March, the Camino-108W (¹) is an extremely compact Class B AIS transponder (13 cm wide for 9 cm depth) weighing only 250 grammes. It has two channels receiving AIS Class A and Class B with a shared DSC reception (²), and an AIS Class B transmit channel. It includes a built-in GPS receiver 50 channels and Wi-Fi module.
Interfaces :
The received AIS data is simultaneously retransmitted over Wi-Fi (150 Mbps), NMEA2000, NMEA0183 2 adjustable rate channels (4800/38400 bps) and USB for PC connection.
Connectivity :
It is featured with 6 Connectors :
- VHF antenna
- External GPS antenna (for steel/carbon boats)
- Wi-Fi antenna 802.11 b/g/n
- NMEA 2000
- Power / Data NMEA0183 2-interfaces / Switch
- Mini-USB (watertight)
For a price less than 590 euros, We have a relatively unprotected case (IPX2) and does not provide antenna splitter (splitter). The GPS receiver is integrated and the WiFi module allows the reception of AIS targets on tablets and smartphones with the appropriate applications. It also operates as a WiFi access point accepting up to 10 simultaneous connections (Version 2). An SD-Card reader also allows AIS data to be saved. However, a passive GPS antenna will have to be added (65 €) and a splitter (³) Cubo-161 if you are using your VHF radio antenna (180 €). The configuration have to be done only from a Windows PC.
This device is symptomatic of the effect of increasing volume transponders for two years hence a significant decline in prices. Hope this encourages boat owners to prefer transponder option than receiver option, thus contributing to increasing collective security.
———
(¹)Also sold under the brand name McMurdo Smartfind M10W
(²) Digital Selective Calling
(³) AIS transponder, dedicated antenna or antenna splitter ?
———
Relative article :
AIS, the second maritime revolution after the GPS
———
Hello Francis,
I was able to acquire the class B transponder from AMEC model Camino 108W for sale at SVB in Germany. I installed it without difficulty, I have to add a passive GPS antenna that I left in it, having a polyester sailboat. The configuration must be done via a PC, without difficulty too. The wifi thus created is instantly picked up by the iPad Air, on which I installed SEAiq Open full version with CM93 cards. It works perfectly, the targets are managed on the map with precision. I'm on a cruise in the Mediterranean and I wanted to give you my opinion in situ. Very good equipment.
So thank you for your post which made me acquire this safer.
Sincerely
Alexander